Yeah Rick, I can help you being as comfortable working with LOx as am with
kerosene or water, well over 50 years of experience
including the LR-101 Vernier rocket engine in which there are some YouTube
videos of a few of my firings from the 70's.
Much to discuss so probably best to talk of list.
Ken
On Fri, Mar 27, 2020 at 5:05 PM Rick Wills <willsrw@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hi
Has anyone on the list used Swagelok compression fittings in service with
LOX (3/4 or 1 in)? I’ve used AN (37 deg flare) and NPT fittings
successfully for LOX. NPT fittings are wrapped with PTFE tape. My entire
LOX side on my test stand is all AN expect for the NPT adapters used on the
main LOX valve and LOX load valve. Any LOX experience with any other brand
of compression fittings (Parker, etc). I’m looking at changing the stand
plumbing and am considering Swagelok. Check out our Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/midwestpropulsiongroup to see the stand in
action.
The Army missile spec forbids NPT fittings. Most likely reason is they
could vibrate loose. I’ve seem amateur liquid systems using NPT
fittings successfully. Any advice would be appreciated. On my first test
stand, I welded the NPT fittings together. It worked but looked pretty
bad. An A&P I know suggested safety wiring the NPTs so they would come
loose. That is a lot of work.
I’m lucky. My outbuilding is also my rocket workshop. When I want to
escape I run out back for a few hours. Thanks and everyone take care.
Be Safe,
Rick Wills
Huber Heights, Ohio