RectorSeal 87018 Pro-Fit 1/4" Quick Connect Union Coupling, Push-to-Connect Refrigerant Fitting
The RectorSeal 87018 is the smallest union in the Pro-Fit Quick Connect family, built for 1/4" O.D. refrigerant tubing — the liquid line on nearly every residential ductless mini split sold. Small lines are the easiest to kink during a lineset pull and the easiest to nick with a hole saw, which makes 1/4" the diameter technicians end up repairing most often. The 87018 turns that repair into a cut, a deburr, and a push: 1" of insertion per side, a firm press until the stainless grip ring clamps, and a brass body rated to 870 psig with a 250°F continuous operating temperature.
Is a 1/4" Union Coupling the Right Fitting for Your Lineset?
On a standard residential mini split, the 1/4" line is the liquid line and the larger of the pair is the suction line. Confirm by measuring the tube itself — the printed size on lineset insulation refers to the pair, not to the individual tube, and reading it wrong is the most common reason a fitting arrives that will not seat.
The 87018 has the shallowest seat in the line at 1" per side, so the fitting asks very little of the tubing: about two inches of clean, straight, round stock at the splice is all the room it needs. What it does ask for is a good tube end — cut square, deburr inside and out, and make sure the section where the O-rings land is unscored. On thin-wall 1/4" tubing a burr or a scored surface matters more than at any other size, because there is less material and less sealing area to work with. There is no nut to tighten and no torque to reach; push to the mark and pull firmly to confirm it held.
Ideal for: Repairing kinked or punctured 1/4" liquid lines, extending a mini split lineset during an equipment relocation, splicing after drywall or siding damage, service calls in attics and crawlspaces, and any occupied-space repair where running a torch is impractical.
Need the next size up? Step up to the RectorSeal 87019 Pro-Fit 3/8" Quick Connect Union Coupling, or see the mini split copper line sets category if the run needs replacing outright.
Fitting selection is based on measured tube outside diameter and system operating conditions. Installation must be performed by an EPA 608-certified technician in accordance with RectorSeal's published instructions and applicable mechanical codes. Request free sizing assistance, contact Budget Heating, or call 813-885-7999.
What's Included
| Fitting | 87018 — 1/4" Pro-Fit Quick Connect Union Coupling (one fitting) |
|---|---|
| Connection Type | Push-to-Connect, Union (1/4" x 1/4") |
| Body Material | Brass |
| Seal Design | Patented Double O-Ring and Grip Ring |
| Design Pressure | 870 psig (60 bar) |
| Continuous Operating Temperature | 250°F (121°C) |
| Insertion Depth | 1" per side — shallowest in the Pro-Fit range |
| Assembly | Push-to-Connect — no tools, wrench, or torque required |
| Approved Tubing | Copper and Coated Aluminum Linesets |
| Certification | ICC-ES PMG-1616 (UL 207, UL 1963) |
Each 87018 arrives as a single complete union — brass body, double O-ring and grip-ring stack, and both collars assembled at the factory. RectorSeal cases the 1/4" union 10 per box. The 87048 Pro-Fit Support Kit covers this size and supplies the depth gauge that marks the 1" insertion line plus the disconnect clips for releasing the joint. Related tools are grouped under Tools of The Trade.
Union Coupling & Sealing Features
87018 Small-Diameter Body
- Brass union machined for 1/4" O.D. refrigerant tubing
- Compact body fits behind equipment and inside tight chases
- Patented double O-ring seal on each tube entry
- Grip ring locks the thin-wall tube against pull-out
- 870 psig design pressure, the same as every Pro-Fit size
- 250°F continuous operating temperature rating
- Seal stack tolerates vibration and pressure pulsation
- UV and corrosion resistant for outdoor lineset sections
- Sight window shows the tube is fully home
- Certified under ICC-ES PMG-1616 to UL 207 and UL 1963
Liquid Line Repair & Assembly
- Shallowest seat in the range at 1" per side
- No nut, no wrench, no torque value to chase on thin-wall tube
- No torch, brazing rod, flux, flare block, or swage tool
- No nitrogen purge required to make the joint
- Turns a kinked liquid line into a ten-minute repair
- Joins copper to copper or copper to coated aluminum
- Safe for attics, crawlspaces, and finished occupied rooms
- Quick-release removal with the 87048 kit disconnect clip
- Approved for R-22, R-32, R-134a, R-290, R-410A, R-507, R-600a
- Supplied 10 per manufacturer case for van stock
Specifications & Manuals
Product documentation includes the full Pro-Fit part number table, insertion depth specifications, approved tubing and refrigerant lists, and the ICC-ES PMG product rating certificate covering the certified pressure and temperature ratings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What line size does the RectorSeal 87018 fit?
1/4" outside diameter tubing on both ends. On most residential ductless mini splits this is the liquid line. Measure the tube itself rather than reading the size printed on the lineset insulation, which describes the pair.
How deep does the tubing need to go into the 87018?
1" on each side, the shallowest insertion depth in the Pro-Fit line. Two inches of straight, round, deburred tubing at the splice point is enough to make the joint.
Do I need a torque wrench for the 87018?
No. There is no nut on a Pro-Fit union and nothing to torque. Cut, de-burr, mark the 1" depth, push until the grip ring clamps, and pull firmly to confirm seating. A tubing cutter and a deburring tool are the only tools involved.
Can the 87018 be used on a mini split liquid line?
Yes, that is its most common application. It splices a damaged or kinked 1/4" liquid line and extends a lineset during a relocation, without a torch and without cutting into the larger suction line.
Is the 87018 removable after it has been installed?
The Pro-Fit design supports quick-release removal using the disconnect clip supplied in the 87048 support kit. Recover refrigerant first and follow RectorSeal's instructions before releasing a joint under charge.
Does the 87018 work with aluminum linesets?
Yes. Pro-Fit fittings are approved for copper and coated aluminum linesets. Bare or uncoated aluminum is not among the approved tubing types listed in RectorSeal's documentation.
Click On Links Below For Documentation:
Technical Specifications
Brochure
Product Rating Certification
