Isn’t it great when a plan comes together and something that was already good gets better? Well, this is certainly the case with Philmac’s new EasyLOK™ metric fitting range.

The larger bore Philmac fittings have always been well regarded in the marketplace. However, rather than accept the status quo, Philmac spoke extensively to the market to see whether customers have any niggles, and if so whether improvements could be made. With fittings often being re-used, the sheer size of the pipe or the pipe condition not being optimal, customers indicated that from time-to-time issues were encountered. Enter the EasyLOK™ fitting range which are all designed and made in Australia.

So, what is special about these EasyLOK™ fittings? Well, in a word they are easy to fit. The market has always loved the reliability and ease of the Philmac Rural fitting, so a similar concept was applied. Rather than try and push the pipe past all the components, these are now fitted to the pipe. Firstly the nut, followed by the collet/spacer and then the O-ring. Because these are fitted individually it makes the job easier and ensures a reliable connection every time. The pipe can then be inserted into the body of the fitting so it sits against the tapered wedges and by then tightening the nut to the body it positions all the components in place. 

Another benefit is that the nut can mostly be tightened by hand due to the reduced torque design. Once the hand tightening is complete the collet holds the pipe in place which means no trying to hold the pipe in place and use a tool at the same time. How do you know the fitting is properly installed? The installation process is completed when the nut is tightened to the flange of the body with multi-grips or a Philmac spanner. Importantly the tightening of the nut to the flange provides a visual indicator that the job is complete. It ensures that the O-ring compression is optimised to provide a high level of tolerance to scuffed, scratched and oval pipe.

This same O-ring is now manufactured from a rubber called EPDM. Traditionally a nitrile rubber O-ring has been used. Why the change? The EPDM provides a greater resistance to chemicals such as acids and means the same fitting can be used in irrigation, industrial and mining applications.

What of those tapered body wedges we spoke of? Their role is to minimise pipe twist which could cause a fitting on the other end of the pipe to loosen. These wedges restrict pipe rotation to approximately no more than three quarters of a turn compared to one and a half turns with many other fittings.

So, is EasyLOK™ as easy to disconnect as it was to connect? Put simply, yes! By undoing the nut, the pipe can be removed from the body of the fitting and the components simply slide off the pipe. What could be simpler?

What is more, EasyLOK™ can be used on air-lines. Philmac strongly recommends that fittings should never be disconnected from a live air-line. However in the event this happens they have a safety feature, air will initially escape warning the user that the line is live, before the collet loses its grip and allows the pipe to pull out.

And lastly, does EasyLOK™ comply with any standards? You bet! Philmac undertook rigorous testing to ensure it meets AS/NZS 4129¹, AS/NZS 4020² and exceeds the requirements of ISO 14236³. After all, Philmac is the connection you can trust.

Due to the positive feedback received as part of the development process the EasyLOK™ range was extended to smaller sizes and now encompasses 50 mm through to 110 mm.

 Once again, Philmac have made a tough job easy!

Find out more about EasyLOK here.

¹AS/NZS 4129: Fittings for polyethylene (PE) pipes for pressure applications

²AS/NZS 4020: Testing of products for use in contact with drinking water

³SO 14236: Plastics pipes and fittings -- Mechanical-joint compression fittings for use with polyethylene pressure pipes in water supply systems