Ham-Let is a global engineering designer and manufacturer specializing in high-quality instrumentation valves and fittings for high pressure, temperature, and vacuum applications.
Products Overview
The company offers a vast range of standard and customized solutions for fluid and gas delivery systems across various industries, including Oil & Gas, Semiconductor, Chemical, and Power.
Instrumentation Fittings:
Ham-Let produces a wide variety of compression tube fittings, such as tees, unions, elbows, reducers, caps, and plugs. Their “Let-Lok” twin-ferrule fittings are designed to provide a secure seal in high-pressure applications up to 10,000 psi and are compatible with other leading brands.
Industrial Process Valves:
The product line includes numerous valve types for precise shut-off and switching, such as ball valves (H-500, H-6800, H-700, H-800, H-6800, H-700 series), needle valves (H-99, H-300U series), check valves (H-400 series), and plug valves (PLV series). Some models feature advanced options like smart capabilities for remote monitoring or a one-piece body design to minimize leakage.
Other Components:
The catalogue also features manifolds, hoses, quick connectors, pressure gauges, sample cylinders, and pneumatic actuators.
Q: Where to buy Ham-Let in the UK:
A: The primary official distributors are FTI Ltd
Official UK Distributors
These companies are authorised distributors and offer the full range of Ham-Let products, including the Let-Lok® twin-ferrule fittings and various H-series valves.
FTI Ltd:
An official UK distributor offering the full range of instrumentation equipment. You can contact them directly for detailed product information and orders.
Q: Are Ham-Let high quality and reliable products
A: Yes, Ham-Let products are widely considered to be high quality and highly reliable, used in demanding industrial applications where safety and performance are critical. Their reputation is built on several key factors:
Industry Application:
Ham-Let supplies components to rigorous industries like Oil & Gas, chemical processing, semiconductor manufacturing, and aerospace, all of which require extremely high standards of leak-tight integrity and material performance under extreme conditions (high pressure, temperature, and corrosion).
Certifications & Standards:
Their manufacturing processes and products adhere to numerous international quality standards, including ISO 9001, ASME, ASTM, and CE standards. Their fittings have also passed specific certifications for use in hydrogen applications (EC-79 certification).
Engineering and Design:
Ham-Let components are machined from high-quality, traceable bar stock materials (often 316 stainless steel for enhanced corrosion resistance) to exacting tolerances. Features like a two-ferrule design that resists vibration and does not transmit torque to the tube during installation enhance reliability.
Testing and Warranty:
Products are factory tested to high specifications (e.g., up to 150,000 psi in their HHP line). Many distributors offer a lifetime warranty on Ham-Let fittings, underscoring confidence in their durability.
Customer Testimonials:
Independent testimonials from engineers and project managers in major international companies and research laboratories confirm their positive experiences with the quality and cost-effectiveness of Ham-Let valves and fittings.
Q: Are Ham-Let a good alternative to Swagelok
A: Yes, Ham-Let is widely regarded as a high-quality and commercially viable alternative to Swagelok, often used by major companies in demanding industries like Oil & Gas, chemical processing, and semiconductor manufacturing. Here is a breakdown of how they compare:
Key Advantages of Ham-Let as an Alternative
Comparable Quality:
Ham-Let products are manufactured to stringent international standards (including ISO 9001) using high-grade materials (like 316 stainless steel with controlled chemistry). They are designed to meet the high-pressure and high-temperature requirements of critical fluid systems, performing reliably in similar applications to Swagelok.
Third-Party Certification for Intermixability:
Ham-Let’s “Let-Lok” double-ferrule fittings are certified by the third-party testing agency TÜV SÜD to be fully interchangeable and intermixable with Swagelok components. This provides an easy switching strategy for customers who want to phase out one brand for the other without replacing entire systems.
Cost-Effectiveness:
Ham-Let is often described as a more cost-effective solution compared to Swagelok, offering significant savings on material costs without compromising on quality or performance.
Traceability:
Ham-Let offers full traceability for all components (body, nut, front ferrule, and back ferrule) through heat numbers marked on each part, which many competitors do not provide.
Considerations
Swagelok Warranty:
It is crucial to note that while Ham-Let is certified to be compatible, Swagelok does not recommend intermixing components and doing so will void their Limited Lifetime Warranty.
Industry Perception:
Swagelok is often considered the “gold standard” or the market leader, and some safety regulations or company policies may explicitly require single-sourcing from Swagelok for liability reasons, despite third-party certifications for alternatives.
In conclusion, for operators seeking a high-quality, reliable, and cost-effective solution that is technically proven to be compatible with existing Swagelok infrastructure, Ham-Let is an excellent alternative.