Sanitary Tri-Clamp connections are widely used because they are easy to assemble, easy to inspect, and practical for process lines that need periodic cleaning or changeover. A complete Tri-Clamp connection typically uses two ferrules, one gasket, and one clamp. The gasket sits between the ferrule faces, while the clamp applies force around the ferrule flanges to hold the connection together.
The clamp style matters because each design handles access, pressure, handling, and installation needs differently. Sanitary Fittings offers several common clamps, including single-pin heavy duty clamps, double-pin clamps, three-segment clamps, high-pressure clamps, and squeeze clamps. The right choice depends on the process, operating temperature, pressure rating, available space, and how often the connection will be opened.
For a broader explanation of how Tri-Clamp assemblies fit into sanitary systems, the Tri-Clamp guide provides additional background on fittings, gaskets, ferrules, and common sizing considerations.
What a Tri-Clamp does
A Tri-Clamp is the mechanical component that secures two sanitary ferrules together with a gasket compressed between them. When properly selected and installed, the clamp helps maintain alignment and gasket compression at the joint. This makes the connection serviceable without welding, which is useful for systems that need cleaning, inspection, equipment changes, or future modification.
Tri-Clamp connections are common in food and beverage, dairy, brewing, pharmaceutical, biotech, data center cooling, and industrial manufacturing environments. They are often used around tanks, pumps, valves, transfer lines, filtration equipment, instrumentation, and skid-mounted process systems. The clamp should be selected based on the full application, not just the nominal tube size.
| Clamp style | Typical use | Common process or industry fit |
|---|---|---|
| Single-pin heavy duty clamp | General sanitary connections with accessible installation points | Food, beverage, dairy, brewing, general processing, and maintenance work |
| Double-pin clamp | Connections where additional hinge movement helps with positioning | Compact skids, OEM equipment, valve manifolds, and tight process areas |
| Three-segment clamp | Applications that benefit from added flexibility around the ferrule flange | Crowded process lines, equipment frames, sanitary skids, and larger assemblies |
| Double-bolt high-pressure clamp | Pressurized process connections requiring higher clamp strength | Pump discharge lines, pressurized transfer, CIP circuits, biotech, pharmaceutical, and industrial systems |
| Squeeze clamp | Quick handling and one-handed installation where convenience matters | Pilot systems, breweries, small-batch processing, maintenance connections, and frequently opened lines |
Single-pin heavy duty clamp
The single-pin heavy duty clamp is one of the most commonly used clamp styles in sanitary processing equipment. It has a hinged side that opens and closes around the ferrule flanges, with a threaded tightening mechanism on the opposite side. This design is familiar, durable, and practical for routine installation and removal.
Single-pin clamps are commonly used in general food and beverage processing, brewing systems, dairy transfer lines, sanitary pumps, tanks, valves, and utility connections. They are a strong everyday option when the connection is accessible and the process conditions are within the clamp’s stated pressure and temperature ratings.
Single-pin clamp part numbers and dimensions
| Size (Tube OD) | Part number | Service pressure rating at 70°F | Service pressure rating at 250°F | Dimension A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2" - 3/4" | 13MHHM-.50-304 | 1,500 | 1,200 | 1.062 |
| 1" - 1 1/2" | 13MHHM-1-304 | 500 | 300 | 2.122 |
| 2" | 13MHHM-2-304 | 450 | 250 | 2.654 |
| 2-1/2" | 13MHHM-2.5-304 | 400 | 200 | 3.185 |
| 3" | 13MHHM-3-304 | 350 | 175 | 3.717 |
| 4" | 13MHHM-4-304 | 300 | 150 | 4.820 |
| 6" | 13MHHM-6-304 | 150 | 75 | 6.695 |
| 8" | 13MHHM-8-304 | 100 | 50 | 8.695 |
| 10" | 13MHHM-10-304 | 75 | 40 | 10.695 |
| 12" | 13MHHM-12-304 | 50 | 25 | 12.695 |
Double-pin and three-segment clamps
Double-pin and three-segment clamps are alternative designs to the standard single-pin clamp. Their added hinge points can improve maneuverability when a connection is located near tubing, valves, frames, tanks, pump housings, or other nearby equipment. This can make them easier to position in compact process areas.
These clamp styles are often selected for sanitary skids, OEM process equipment, manifolds, tank ports, and processing lines where access is limited. They can be useful in food and beverage, brewing, dairy, pharmaceutical, and industrial facilities when technicians need a clamp that is easier to handle in tight spaces.
Double-pin clamp part numbers and dimensions
| Size (Tube OD) | Part number | Service pressure rating at 70°F | Service pressure rating at 250°F | Dimension A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2" - 3/4" | 13MHHM-DP-.50-304 | 1,500 | 1,200 | 1.125 |
| 1" - 1 1/2" | 13MHHM-DP-1-304 | 500 | 300 | 2.122 |
| 2" | 13MHHM-DP-2-304 | 450 | 250 | 2.654 |
| 2-1/2" | 13MHHM-DP-2.5-304 | 400 | 200 | 3.185 |
| 3" | 13MHHM-DP-3-304 | 350 | 175 | 3.717 |
| 4" | 13MHHM-DP-4-304 | 300 | 150 | 4.820 |
| 6" | 13MHHM-DP-6-304 | 150 | 75 | 6.695 |
| 8" | 13MHHM-DP-8-304 | 100 | 50 | 8.695 |
| 10" | 13MHHM-DP-10-304 | 75 | 40 | 10.695 |
Three-segment clamp part numbers and dimensions
| Size (Tube OD) | Part number | Service pressure rating at 70°F | Service pressure rating at 250°F | Dimension A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1" - 1 1/2" | 13MHHS-1-304 | 600 | 300 | 2.122 |
| 2" | 13MHHS-2-304 | 550 | 275 | 2.654 |
| 2-1/2" | 13MHHS-2.5-304 | 450 | 225 | 3.185 |
| 3" | 13MHHS-3-304 | 350 | 175 | 3.717 |
| 4" | 13MHHS-4-304 | 300 | 150 | 4.820 |
| 6" | 13MHHS-6-304 | 250 | 125 | 5.820 |
Double-bolt high-pressure clamp
Double-bolt high-pressure clamps are intended for pressurized sanitary process connections that require greater mechanical holding force than standard clamp styles. Instead of a single wing nut design, the clamp uses two bolted connection points. This construction creates a more secure mechanical assembly when the process requires a clamp style suited for higher pressure service.
High-pressure clamps are commonly considered for pump discharge lines, pressurized transfer lines, CIP circuits, filtration skids, pharmaceutical and biotech process systems, and industrial manufacturing applications. Pressure performance still depends on the full connection, including the clamp, gasket, ferrules, temperature, media, and installation quality. The article on Tri-Clamp fittings burst pressure temperature explains why clamp pressure and temperature should be evaluated together.
High-pressure clamp part numbers and dimensions
| Size (Tube OD) | Part number | Service pressure rating at 70°F | Service pressure rating at 250°F | Dimension A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2" - 3/4" | 13MHP-050-075 | 1,500 | 1,200 | 1.062 |
| 1" - 1-1/2" | 13MHP-100-150 | 1,500 | 1,200 | 2.046 |
| 2" | 13MHP-200 | 1,000 | 800 | 2.578 |
| 2-1/2" | 13MHP-250 | 1,000 | 800 | 3.110 |
| 3" | 13MHP-300 | 1,000 | 800 | 3.640 |
| 4" | 13MHP-400 | 800 | 600 | 4.744 |
| 6" | 13MHP-600 | 300 | 200 | 6.632 |
Squeeze clamp
Squeeze clamps are designed for fast, convenient handling. Their main advantage is that they can be secured with one hand, which is useful when one side of the connection needs to be held in place during assembly. This can help on small process lines, pilot systems, test setups, and connections that are opened frequently.
Squeeze clamps are often used in breweries, small-batch food and beverage production, maintenance areas, and process development environments where quick access is helpful. They should still be selected according to size, pressure rating, temperature rating, gasket material, and the requirements of the process.
Squeeze clamp part numbers and dimensions
| Size (Tube OD) | Part number | Service pressure rating at 70°F | Service pressure rating at 250°F | Dimension A | Dimension D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2" - 3/4" | 13MHHMQ-050 | 1,500 | 1,200 | 2.122 | 3.625 |
| 1" - 1 1/2" | 13MHHMQ-100 | 500 | 300 | 2.122 | 4.625 |
| 2" | 13MHHMQ-200 | 450 | 300 | 2.654 | 5.000 |
| 2-1/2" | 13MHHMQ-250 | 400 | 200 | 3.185 | 6.000 |
| 3" | 13MHHMQ-300 | 350 | 195 | 3.717 | 7.000 |
| 4" | 13MHHMQ-400 | 300 | 150 | 4.820 | 8.000 |
Selection factors to review before ordering
Start with the tube OD and ferrule style. Tri-Clamp sizing can be confusing because tube size and flange dimensions are not the same measurement. The Sanitary Tri-Clamp ferrule selection guide can help clarify ferrule selection when the connection hardware is being specified as a complete assembly.
Next, compare operating pressure and temperature against the clamp style and size. Pressure ratings may change at elevated temperatures, and the connection should be evaluated as a full assembly rather than by clamp rating alone. Gasket material, ferrule condition, alignment, cleaning chemistry, and installation practices can all affect performance.
Finally, consider how the connection will be used by maintenance and operations teams. A standard single-pin clamp may be the practical choice for open, accessible lines. A double-pin or three-segment clamp may be easier to handle in a crowded skid. A high-pressure clamp may be appropriate for more demanding pressure service. A squeeze clamp may be useful when fast, one-handed installation is valuable.
Gaskets and clamp performance
The clamp holds the connection together, but the gasket creates the seal between the ferrule faces. Gasket selection should account for process temperature, cleaning method, product compatibility, compression behavior, and inspection practices. The Tri-Clamp gasket dimensions reference can help teams confirm gasket sizing before replacing or standardizing components.
A clamp should not be used to force together misaligned ferrules or compensate for a damaged gasket. Before assembly, inspect the ferrule faces, gasket, clamp hinge, threads, wing nut, and bolt surfaces. During maintenance, repeated leakage at the same connection may indicate a sizing issue, gasket compatibility issue, worn clamp, damaged ferrule, or alignment problem.
Key takeaway
The best sanitary Tri-Clamp clamp is the one that fits the connection size, pressure rating, temperature, access limitations, cleaning requirements, and handling needs of the process. Single-pin clamps are practical for general use, double-pin and three-segment clamps help in tight spaces, double-bolt high-pressure clamps support more demanding pressure applications, and squeeze clamps improve convenience for frequent or one-handed assembly.
Review the complete connection before making a selection: ferrules, gasket, clamp, pressure, temperature, process media, cleaning method, and installation access. This helps engineering, QA, maintenance, and procurement teams make more consistent choices across sanitary processing systems.