ISO/TS 11672:2016

Overview

ISO/TS 11672:2016 - Connectors for fluid power and general use - Designation and nomenclature - collects and harmonizes the designation and nomenclature schemes used in ISO connector standards developed by ISO/TC 131/SC 4. The Technical Specification defines a uniform, alphanumeric system for naming and ordering threaded connectors, push‑in connectors, flanges, hose fittings, port plugs and quick‑action couplings. Its naming rules are intended for procurement, part identification and international standardization when agreed between user and supplier.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Uniform designation format: a structured sequence - connector name, reference to the relevant ISO standard (ISO XXXX), type/shape letter symbols, size code, and material/seal symbols.
• Type and shape symbols: predefined letter symbols (e.g., SD for stud, SW for swivel, E for 90° elbow, T for tee) listed in normative tables and Annex A (index of symbols).
• Size coding rules:
  • Tube and hose end sizes in millimetres (use multiplication symbol × to separate multiple end sizes).
  • Threaded stud notation: metric (M + size), BSP (G + size + A tolerance class), UN/UNF (size + UN/UNF).
  • Ordering precedence rules for unions, tees and crosses (larger-run sizes first; stud before hose ends, etc.).
• Duty (working pressure) symbols: extra light‑duty (LL), light‑duty (L), heavy‑duty (S).
• Material and seal symbols: connector materials (S = steel, B = copper/alloys, SS = stainless steel) and seal materials (N = NBR, H = HNBR, E = EPDM, F = FKM).
• Ordering conventions: exact punctuation rules (hyphens, multiplication symbol, no spaces around those separators) to facilitate unambiguous procurement.
• Annexes:
  • Annex A (normative): alphabetical index of letter symbols.
  • Annex B (informative): application examples.
  • Annex C (informative): correlation of SAE dash sizes to ISO connector, tube and hose sizes.

Applications and who uses it

ISO/TS 11672:2016 is used by:

• Design and engineering teams specifying hydraulic and pneumatic connectors.
• Procurement and purchasing to create unambiguous part codes for international supply chains.
• Manufacturers and suppliers for consistent product naming and catalogs.
• Maintenance and spare‑parts management to ensure correct replacements.
• Standards committees and technical authors aligning multiple ISO connector standards.

Practical uses include creating purchase orders, parts lists, CAD/BOM entries, and technical documentation where consistent connector designation and nomenclature prevents miscommunication across suppliers and regions.

Related standards

ISO/TS 11672:2016 references and harmonizes with connector standards from ISO/TC 131/SC 4 such as ISO 8434 series (tube connectors), ISO 12151 series (hose fittings), ISO 6162 (flanges), and others - see the document tables and annexes for cross‑references and examples.