Tanker fittings - Page 3

How are tanker fittings constructed?

Tanker fittings consist of several basic parts, namely:

• MK coupling — this includes the MKH locking ring with lever and the MKV sealing ring with GSD profile gasket (or TWO for larger diameters); 
• VK couplings — you put the MK coupling on and tighten the lever; 
• GD (or TWO for larger diameters) flat gaskets at the connector threads.

Although the construction appears complicated at first glance, in practice the operation of the tanker fitting is very simple. All you have to do is press the two parts (MK and VK) together and rotate the locking ring with the lever. When you close it, you block the rotation and thus negate the risk of the connector becoming disconnected.

Besides the above-mentioned parts, you also have pressure-resistant caps available. These are divided into two types:

• VB plug (for MK parts);
• MB cap (for the VK part).

Take into account, however, that if the installation is under constant pressure, a cap alone will not suffice; additional protection (e.g. in the form of a padlock) will be necessary.

If you wish, you can purchase each product component separately. This applies to connector parts as well as plugs, gaskets and additional accessories.

What materials are tanker fittings made of?

Tanker fittings are made from several materials — both for the body and the seal. We will have a closer look at each of these below.

Tanker fitting body material

As far as the body is concerned, the Euro tanker coupling is available in the following material versions:

• stainless steel — a high-quality material that stands out for its very good resistance to corrosion and certain chemicals, in addition to being easy to clean and characterised by its longevity;
• brass — a very popular material in industry, also characterised by corrosion resistance, but is not as strong as stainless steel, but has the advantage of a lower price; 
• aluminium — an extremely corrosion-resistant material, inert to many chemical agents and non-toxic, also characterised by low weight, but more susceptible to high temperatures and less durable (most often used to manufacture end caps).

Gasket material of tanker fittings

As far as seals for the DIN 28450 connector are concerned, they are made from the following materials:

• polyurethane (PUR) — a plastic that is resistant to many aggressive environments and weather conditions and is used at temperatures from -20 to 70 degrees Celsius; 
• nitrile (NBR) — a rubber, which is characterised by high resistance to oils and greases (with suitable additions also to fuels) and is suitable for temperatures from -20 to 70 degrees Celsius; 
• hypalon (CSM) — a variety of synthetic rubber with high resistance to highly oxidising chemicals, atmospheric conditions and heat, the seal can withstand temperatures up to 130 degrees Celsius; 
• viton (FPM) — a type of rubber which is characterised by very high mechanical strength, as well as resistance to aggressive substances and extreme temperatures, and is suitable for temperatures of up to 120 degrees Celsius;
• Teflon (PTFE) — a specialised and highly resistant material, it withstands temperatures of up to 220 degrees Celsius and is non-toxic, resistant to chemicals and environmental conditions. 
• EPDM rubber — rubber with very high resistance to most chemicals and weather conditions, as well as temperatures up to approximately 100 degrees Celsius.