Brass Vibra-Lok Stud Elbow

A Brass Vibra-Lok Stud Elbow is a right-angle directional fitting that joins a smooth metal or plastic tube to a female pipe thread port (NPT or BSPT). One end features a tapered male pipe thread, while the opposing 90-degree port houses a Vibra-Lok elastomeric cushioned tube connection. It enables fluid power engineers to navigate around machinery corners while completely isolating the incoming tube from dynamic vibrational stresses.

At right-angle joints, continuous mechanical vibration concentrates cyclical bending moments directly at the tube-fitting socket. Rigid compression ferrules or flared tube necks concentrate this stress until the metal work-hardens and shears. The Vibra-Lok elastomeric sleeve provides a resilient 360-degree cushion that allows the tubing to flex up to 4 degrees angularly without metal-to-metal gouging, dissipating up to 90% of vibrational energy.

Pioneer Industries manufactures Vibra-Lok sleeves in two primary compounds: Standard Buna-N (Nitrile) for petroleum fuels, hydraulic oils, compressed air, and water from -35°C to +100°C (-30°F to +212°F); and High-Temperature Fluorocarbon (Viton / FKM) for synthetic lubricants, aggressive chemicals, and elevated thermal environments from -26°C to +204°C (-15°F to +400°F).

Working pressures reach up to 2,000 PSI (138 bar) in sizes from 1/8″ to 1/4″ OD, 1,500 PSI (103 bar) for 5/16″ and 3/8″ OD, and up to 1,000 PSI (70 bar) in 1/2″ OD, backed by an ASME B31.3 compliant 4:1 hydrostatic burst safety factor. In vacuum lines, the continuous circumferential elastomeric seal reliably holds vacuum down to 29.5 in. Hg.

Apply high-quality PTFE paste sealant or tape to the male pipe threads only. Thread the elbow into the female port finger-tight, then rotate with an open-end wrench 2 to 3 full turns until the tube port points in the exact trajectory required for incoming tubing. Never loosen the elbow to achieve alignment, as reversing breaks the tapered thread seal; always advance forward to the next aligned position.

No. The tube end is 100% flareless. Cut the tubing square, deburr edges, slide the nut and elastomeric sleeve over the tube, push the tube into the fitting until it bottoms out against the internal stop, and tighten the compression nut finger-tight plus exactly one full turn (360°) with an open-end wrench.

Yes. The resilient elastomeric sleeve readily compensates for minor tube out-of-roundness, shallow longitudinal scratches, and angular misalignments up to 4 degrees. The elastomer flows into microscopic surface defects under compression to ensure an airtight, bubble-free seal.

Yes. Because the elastomeric sleeve does not swage, cut, or crimp a permanent groove into the tubing wall, the tubing remains undamaged and 100% reusable. Disassembly simply requires loosening the nut. If the elastomer becomes aged or heat-hardened after years of service, inexpensive replacement sleeves restore the joint to factory-fresh sealing integrity.

The fitting is fully compatible with soft copper, half-hard drawn copper, seamless aluminum, brass, thin-wall hydraulic steel, and even lab-grade glass tubing. When utilizing thermoplastic tubing like Nylon or Polyethylene, brass tube support inserts should be inserted into the tube bore to prevent wall collapse.

Bodies are hot-forged from BS 218 / CW617N (ASTM B124 C37700) brass to eliminate porosity and stress crack susceptibility. Consignments undergo 100% pneumatic bubble testing at 10 bar, thread pitch optical inspection, and are delivered with authentic EN 10204 Type 3.1 Mill Test Certificates verifying complete melt heat traceability.