Tightness – Safety, Efficiency, and Quality
Tightness is essential for safe connections in fluid systems.
Even the smallest leaks can compromise safety, efficiency, and cost‑effectiveness.
Learn how tightness is defined and what role it plays in modern systems.
Table of Contents
What is a leak?
A leak occurs, for example, at a connection between two areas with different pressure levels. As a result, a medium — usually a gas or a liquid — escapes.
Especially with gases, achieving absolute “zero leakage” is physically impossible. For this reason, tightness is technically defined by the leak rate.
Leak detection:
Depending on the application, different methods are used for leak detection, such as:
- Pressure‑decay testing
- Sniffer method
- Bubble test
Each testing method has its own specific threshold up to which a leak can be reliably detected.
How is tightness measured?
The tightness of a system is specified by its leak rate, which is unavoidable—especially with gases. The commonly used units are:
mbar × L/s (millibar‑liters per second)
or
Ncm³/h (normal cubic centimeters per hour)
(Conversion: 1 Ncm³/h ≈ 2.8 × 10⁻⁴ mbar × L/s)
This unit describes how much gas escapes per second at a given pressure.
Our solutions achieve extremely low leak rates, far below the relevant industry standards.
Why is tightness so critical?
Leaks create real risks and costs:
Safety risks
- Formation of flammable or explosive atmospheres
- Hazards to personnel and equipment
- Environmental damage
Economic impact
- Loss of expensive media (e.g., hydrogen or helium)
- Downtime
- Maintenance and repair costs
- Reputational and liability risks
Tightness is therefore not just a technical parameter but a critical factor for both safety and economic performance.
Which factors influence tightness?
The tightness of a system depends on several factors:
Quality of the sealing system
- Material selection
- Surface quality
- Design
- Manufacturing precision
Long‑term sealing performance
A sealing system must function reliably – even under real operating conditions:
- Number of pressure cycles
- Mechanical movements
- Frequent start‑ups and shutdowns
- Temperature and media changes
- Contamination over time
WEH tests these loads in extensive long‑term endurance tests.
How we support you with tightness and testing:
Our services
We have a team of experts who perform a wide range of tests and inspections on validated, calibrated, and state‑of‑the‑art equipment on your behalf.
Pressure and leak testing
Pressure and leak tests are among the most important standard procedures in industry. WEH® Quick Connectors ensure safe testing processes – in seconds, durable, and without screws or tools.