Air Suspension: D.O.T. Fittings versus Home Depot Fittings ** test results

Excellent post I ran across by 98SS over on the s10 forum. He tests Parker DOT approved ptc air fittings against the more generic Home Depot ptc fittings! Cool info for anyone on air suspension. Original thread is [URL="http://www.s10forum.com/forum/f125/tested-d-o-t-fittings-versus-home-depot-fittings-259393/"]here[/URL]. Enjoy!


Edit: Our forum only allows me to post 15 pics per post hahaha.. Lame... Here's part #1:

[quote=98SS]To properly evaluate the quality of Home Depot fittings versus D.O.T. approved fittings, multiple samples should be tested.  The following encompasses the testing of only one set of samples.  

Samples in question included six (6) Watts® 1/2" Male thread to 1/2" tube compression fittings, examples of which are shown below.  (click any small images for larger version)

[URL="http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/Tims98SS/FittingTesting/DSC00894.jpg"][IMG]http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/Tims98SS/FittingTesting/th_DSC00894.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL="http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/Tims98SS/FittingTesting/DSC00895.jpg"][IMG]http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/Tims98SS/FittingTesting/th_DSC00895.jpg[/IMG][/URL]


Contrast samples included six (6) Parker® 1/2" Male thread to 1/2" tube PTC fittings, examples of which are shown below.

[URL="http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/Tims98SS/FittingTesting/DSC00898.jpg"][IMG]http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/Tims98SS/FittingTesting/th_DSC00898.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL="http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/Tims98SS/FittingTesting/DSC00899.jpg"][IMG]http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/Tims98SS/FittingTesting/th_DSC00899.jpg[/IMG][/URL]


D.O.T. tubing was used for this test.  Just feeling the tubing at Home Depot should send a chill down the back of anyone who is shopping for plumbing for an air ride air management system.  Shown is a square cut example of DOT tubing used and a side by side of the example test assemblies.

[URL="http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/Tims98SS/FittingTesting/DSC00900.jpg"][IMG]http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/Tims98SS/FittingTesting/th_DSC00900.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL="http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/Tims98SS/FittingTesting/DSC00901.jpg"][IMG]http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/Tims98SS/FittingTesting/th_DSC00901.jpg[/IMG][/URL]


The compression fittings were torqued to 20 ft-lbs.

[URL="http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/Tims98SS/FittingTesting/DSC00903.jpg"][IMG]http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/Tims98SS/FittingTesting/th_DSC00903.jpg[/IMG][/URL]


Both samples were air leak checked to 700 psi with no leaks.  The samples were then water burst tested at which both burst tests ended at 1500 psi when the tubing failed as shown.

[URL="http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/Tims98SS/FittingTesting/DSC00904.jpg"][IMG]http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/Tims98SS/FittingTesting/th_DSC00904.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL="http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/Tims98SS/FittingTesting/DSC00905.jpg"][IMG]http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/Tims98SS/FittingTesting/th_DSC00905.jpg[/IMG][/URL]


Fittings 3 and 4 of each type were then retested in the air leak check machine.  This time, the Home Depot compression fittings failed at 720 psi when the tubing blew out of the fitting.

[URL="http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/Tims98SS/FittingTesting/DSC00906.jpg"][IMG]http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/Tims98SS/FittingTesting/th_DSC00906.jpg[/IMG][/URL] 

The D.O.T. Parker fittings held out to 950 psi until the tubing bubbled.  This time the tubing bubbled at a lower pressure because the fluid inside was air and was increasing much slower.  During the burst test, the pressure increased so rapidly that the pressure made it to 1500 before tubing failure.  Shown here is the air leak check Parker fittings.

[URL="http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/Tims98SS/FittingTesting/DSC00907.jpg"][IMG]http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/Tims98SS/FittingTesting/th_DSC00907.jpg[/IMG][/URL] 


Last, fittings 5 and 6 of each type were assembled and placed in the tensile machine.  The results here were a disappointing 100lbs force for the Home Depot compression fitting to release the tubing.  The Parker D.O.T. fitting withstood 300lbs tensile force and the test only ended due to tubing failure.  

[URL="http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/Tims98SS/FittingTesting/DSC00916.jpg"][IMG]http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/Tims98SS/FittingTesting/th_DSC00916.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL="http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/Tims98SS/FittingTesting/DSC00917.jpg"][IMG]http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/Tims98SS/FittingTesting/th_DSC00917.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Here you can see the tubing just before failure during the Parker fitting test.
[URL="http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/Tims98SS/FittingTesting/DSC00910.jpg"][IMG]http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/Tims98SS/FittingTesting/th_DSC00910.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL="http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/Tims98SS/FittingTesting/DSC00911.jpg"][IMG]http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/Tims98SS/FittingTesting/th_DSC00911.jpg[/IMG][/URL]



[/quote]

Edit: And here's part 2:

[quote=98SS]
For shits-n-giggles, Home Depot plastic PTC fittings were air leak checked.  They leaked at 450 psi.

[URL="http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/Tims98SS/FittingTesting/DSC00918.jpg"][IMG]http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/Tims98SS/FittingTesting/th_DSC00918.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL="http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/Tims98SS/FittingTesting/DSC00919.jpg"][IMG]http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/Tims98SS/FittingTesting/th_DSC00919.jpg[/IMG][/URL]


Again, to best evaluate these fittings, multiple samples (30+) should be analyzed and the results averaged to give a more accurate comparison.  However, perhaps this helps shed some light on  Home Depot fitting performance versus D.O.T. fitting performance.

Having the two side by side and seeing how  the cheaper fitting is damaged easier and fails at less pressures and forces, I personally would much rather spend a couple dollars more to have fittings that are approved to be on a motor vehicle and withstand the abuse that they will see over  many years of operation.
[/quote]

Seems to me like its worth the extra money to buy the D.O.T. fitting and hoses.

Yup! Now I need to find a good source for high quality DOT fittings!

Apparently Swagelok is a good high quality brand?
[url]http://www.swagelok.com/search/find_products_home.aspx?SEARCH=/id-10000212/type-1[/url]

Great info.  its nice to Finally see someone doing some testing on the stuff we think could work

You guys should run hydraulic line on your air setups.  Much more durable and also heat resistent.

Some do. I've seen some setups with full braided stainless line ran out to the bags, it looks cool and costs a pretty penny.. But the extra protection for the line itself is nice insurance. This thread isn't about that though hehe.. MOST, like 95%+ of air setups use DOT PTC fittings and tube... Just some good info for those using PTC fittings already..

not sure why my post was deleted when the person stated "Yup! Now I need to find a good source for high quality DOT fittings!"

I wasn't advertising my own site or brand, just a good spot to get them at, PM me for reason so it doesnt have to continue on in this thread.

these are the only fitting i mess with... stainless steel quick connects
[IMG]http://www.easystreetair.com/ProductImages/21369l.jpg[/IMG]

i dont really care for those compression fittings from home depot cuz that copper rings is a "one time use only" type deal..

dont really mess with these half metal/ half plasitc fittings cuz ive had them burst on me under high pressures... become brittle over time/age.
[IMG]http://www.easystreetair.com/ProductImages/21375l.jpg[/IMG]

coming from a sport truck scene, the weakest link ive com across are the airlines... and those crap plastic fittings...

It would make sense for you guys to run heavy-duty hydraulic lines then.

I use those DOT air brake lines (like the ones on the back of the semi trucks).. it does the job, but if the air lines aren't securely fastened, and can move around, it'll rub away at the line and cause a hole... I've seen guys go balls out and hard line their whole air system... with copper lines.. too crazy for me though. If you're running 150psi to 200psi, you'll be find with regular fittings and DOT air brake lines...

Thanks for the posts fellas, some good info in here.

Exclusive I have 2 threads, this one is just a test results thread, the other one is a where to buy PTC thread... Maybe ur thinking of the other thread? Thanks for the link though, I already have those guys bookmarked.