Quick-Connect Fittings for Fluid Lines

FOREACH microfluidic quick-connect fittings, also called quick-disconnect couplings, serve lines that require rapid connection and disconnection in IVD, life science, laboratory automation, analytical instruments and other equipment. Applications include external liquid reservoirs, cleaning-fluid supplies, waste collection, recirculation loops and removable fluid modules. Mating male and female parts connect with an audible click and release through a push button, helping confirm engagement and allowing one-handed operation during reservoir replacement, module maintenance and panel connection changes. Valved models serve lines where one or both sides must close automatically upon disconnection.

The Q20, Q40 and Q60 series have nominal bores of 1/8, 1/4 and 3/8 inch, respectively, and offer models for tubing IDs of 1.6–6.4 mm, 6.4–9.5 mm and 9.5–19.0 mm, respectively. Male inserts and female bodies are available in valved and non-valved versions, with barbed or threaded terminations and straight, elbow and panel-mount configurations. Select mating halves from the same series; each half can have a tubing connection suited to its own line. Q20 and Q40 bodies are available in POM and PP, while Q60 uses PP. Standard POM models use NBR seals and standard PP models use EPDM seals; FKM seals can be specified for selected models. Confirm nominal bore, tubing ID, thread specification and mounting method separately. Panel-mount models use matching retaining nuts.

Standard Q20 and Q40 models in POM or PP have a working pressure of 8.3 bar; Q60-PP models have a working pressure of 4.2 bar. The working temperature range is −40 to 82 °C for Q20 and Q40 POM models, and −20 to 71 °C for Q20, Q40 and Q60 PP models. Select the mating pair according to the fluid, seal material, working temperature and pressure. If only one side is valved, that side closes on disconnection; if both sides are valved, each side closes. Applications with limits on residual fluid released during disconnection or air introduced during reconnection require assessment under actual operating conditions. Determine flow performance from connection size, valve configuration and flow-versus-pressure-drop curves. Leave space for button operation, coupling insertion and removal, and tubing bends.