Industry standard Valco compression fittings form stable and reliable connections of 1/32", 1/16", and 1/8" tubing in UHPLC applications.
Pressure considerations
We have successfully tested 360 micron, 1/32", and 1/16" fittings to 50,000 psi. For 1/8" tubing, the numbers are much lower. We tested several IDs to the point of failure, with the following results:
| OD | ID | Failure pressure (psi) |
|---|---|---|
| 1/8" | .040" | 35,000 |
| .060" | 29,000 | |
| .085" | 17,000 |
However, maximum usage pressure depends on multiple factors, such as tubing hardness, the thickness of the tubing wall, the application, and your own comfort zone. Some believe that a 50% safety margin is prudent, while others are comfortable with 30% or even 20%. In any case, exercise an abundance of caution in any application with potential for catastrophic release of stored energy.
