VCR Fittings
VCR Face Seal Fitting 316L VIM/VAR UHP Connector
Stark VCR‑style metal gasket face seal fittings for ultra‑high purity gas systems. Forged 316L VIM/VAR stainless steel, He leak rate <1×10⁻⁹ scc/s, same‑day shipping, and 24‑hour quote.
VCR Metal Gasket Face Seal Fitting: Ultra-High Purity Connector
Achieve the highest level of system purity and leak integrity in your UHP gas and fluid lines.
The Stark VCR‑style metal gasket face seal fitting is an ultra‑high purity connector designed to provide a reliable, metal‑to‑metal seal for the most critical gas and liquid applications.
By compressing a precision metal gasket between two highly polished sealing beads, the fitting creates a virtually impermeable seal that has become the industry standard in demanding environments such as semiconductor manufacturing, pharmaceutical processing, and research laboratories.
✓ Ultra-High Purity (UHP) Design| ✓ Helium Leak Tested Seal| ✓ 316L VIM/VAR Material
🔧 Configure Your VCR Fitting in Seconds
Quickly find the right fitting for your system by selecting the connection type and size.
1. Select Your Connection Type:
○ Male Gland to Male Gland○ Male Gland to Tube Butt Weld...2. Select Your SizeAdd to your quote and receive pricing within 24 hours.
🔥 Most Popular In‑Stock Configurations
Ready‑to‑ship configurations commonly used in UHP gas panels, gas sticks, and valve manifold boxes.
1/4" Male Gland | 1/2" Male Gland | 1/4" Tube Butt Weld Gland | 1/2" Tube Butt Weld Gland |
SS-VCR-MG4 | SS-VCR-MG8 | SS-VCR-TBW4 | SS-VCR-TBW8 |
Part Number Format: [Material]-VCR-[Config Code][Size] (e.g., 6L-VCR-MG4)
🛠 The Engineering Advantage
- Leak-Tight Metal-to-Metal Seal: The VCR sealing design delivers a certified helium leak rate of less than 1 × 10⁻⁹ std cm³/s, making it ideal for ultra‑high purity and high‑vacuum systems where even microscopic leaks are unacceptable.
- 316L VIM/VAR Stainless Steel: All wetted components are manufactured from forged 316L VIM/VAR (Vacuum Induction Melted / Vacuum Arc Remelted) stainless steel. This ultra‑clean metallurgy provides extremely low impurity content and controlled chemistry, minimizing outgassing and particulate contamination in UHP service.
- Zero "Dead Space" Internal Design: The internal flow path is free of internal threads, springs, or elastomeric seals. This eliminates “dead zones” where contaminants can accumulate, enabling fast, complete purging and consistent process purity.
- High-Purity Sealing Surface Finish: The sealing beads are electropolished to Ra < 10 µin (0.25 µm), creating a smooth, mirror‑like surface that is essential for achieving a repeatable, leak‑tight metal‑to‑metal seal.
📈 Technical Specifications
Feature | Stark Standard Specification |
Sealing Principle | Metal Gasket Face Seal |
Body Material | Forged 316L VIM/VAR Stainless Steel |
Gasket Material | Stainless Steel (Standard), Nickel, Copper (Optional) |
Surface Finish (Seal) | Ra < 10 µin (0.25 µm), Electropolished |
Typical Helium Leak Rate | < 1 x 10⁻⁹ std cm³/s (Helium Leak Tested) |
Compliance | MTR to EN 10204 3.1 & PMI Verified |
🎯 Why Choose VCR Fittings? A Technology Comparison
Feature | Compression Fittings (Ferrule) | Pipe Threads (NPT) | VCR Face Seal Fittings |
Sealing Method | Ferrule Bite | Thread Sealant | Metal Gasket |
Leak Integrity | Excellent | Good | Ultra-High (UHP Grade) |
Internal Purity | Good | Poor (Sealant can contaminate) | Exceptional (Zero dead space) |
Vacuum Rating | Good | ❌ Not suitable | ✅ Ultra-High Vacuum (UHV) |
📌 Targeted Application Support
- Semiconductor Manufacturing: Industry‑standard solution for UHP gas delivery lines, including gas sticks, gas panels, and valve manifold boxes in wafer fabs and tool OEM equipment.
- Pharmaceutical & Biotech: Ideal for critical process gas and utility lines where product purity, cleanability, and traceability are essential.
- Aerospace: Used in high‑purity fuel and oxidizer delivery systems for rockets, satellites, and other mission‑critical propulsion systems.
- Research & Development Labs: Provides a robust, leak‑free connection for analytical instruments, high‑vacuum systems, and experimental setups where repeatability and cleanliness matter.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What does "VCR" stand for?
VCR is a registered trademark of Swagelok® used to describe a family of metal gasket face seal fittings. In common industry usage, “VCR fittings” has become the generic term for this type of face seal technology.
Q2: Can I reuse the metal gasket?
No. The metal gasket is designed for single use only. During installation, it is plastically deformed to match the sealing beads and create a perfect seal. Reusing a gasket will almost always result in leaks and is not recommended.
Q3: What is VIM/VAR stainless steel, and why is it important?
VIM (Vacuum Induction Melting) and VAR (Vacuum Arc Remelting) are secondary melting processes that produce ultra‑clean, high‑purity stainless steel with significantly fewer inclusions, impurities, and dissolved gases than standard 316L. This is critical for preventing outgassing and contamination in UHP and vacuum systems.
Q4: Are your VCR fittings interchangeable with Swagelok VCR®?
Yes. Our VCR‑style fittings are manufactured to be dimensionally and functionally interchangeable with Swagelok® VCR® and other compatible VCR‑type designs, allowing you to integrate them easily into existing UHP installations.
📦 Complete Size and Configuration Chart
💬 Need Help with Selection?
Our engineering team is ready to support you with technical selection, system design, or material and cleanliness recommendations for your UHP application.
🔒 Disclaimer
Swagelok VCR® and Parker VacuSeal™ are registered trademarks of their respective holders. Stark is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by these companies. Part numbers and brand names are provided for cross-reference and compatibility purposes only.