Cole-Parmer Hose Barb Y Connector with 1/4 in. ID Pack of 10 Y Connectors

Cole-Parmer 40726-45 Barbed Y-Connector – 1/4 in. ID, Polypropylene

The Cole-Parmer 40726-45 is a high-performance barbed Y-connector designed to split or combine fluid pathways in low-pressure plumbing, analytical instrumentation, and general laboratory setups. Molded from premium, medical-grade polypropylene, this single-piece junction features three uniform ports tailored for flexible tubing with a 1/4-inch inside diameter (ID). The distinct, sharp-edged barb profiles securely grip the elastomer wall of the tubing, exploiting its natural elasticity to form a tight, leak-proof mechanical seal without requiring permanent adhesives or specialized assembly tooling.

Technical Performance and Design

• Medical-Grade Polypropylene: Engineered from high-purity polypropylene that exhibits excellent chemical resistance to standard laboratory acids, bases, and salts. It is naturally bio-inert and contains no animal-derived components, shielding fluid pathways from organic extractables or plasticizer leaching.

• Symmetrical Y-Configuration: The 120-degree orientation provides a smoother fluid transition path than traditional T-connectors, significantly decreasing inline fluid resistance, minimizing line turbulence, and preventing high backpressure anomalies.

• Precision Molded Barbs: The external retention ridges are machined to exact tolerances, creating a highly reliable high-friction lock that holds tight against system pressures up to 30 PSI, depending on the durometer of the tubing applied.

• Autoclavable Polymer: Built to withstand common laboratory decontamination protocols; both the material and geometry can be safely autoclaved at 121°C (250°F) or sterilized using Ethylene Oxide (EtO) gas without warping or cracking.

Product Specifications

• Catalog Number / MPN: 40726-45 (EW-40726-45)

• Manufacturer: Cole-Parmer

• Fitting Style: Symmetrical Y-Connector / Splitter

• Tubing Compatibility: 1/4 in. Inside Diameter (ID) Flexible Tubing

• Material: Polypropylene (PP)

• Maximum Pressure Limit: Rated for low-pressure lines under 30 PSI (highly dependent on tubing compliance and hose clamping mechanisms)

• Sterilization Window: Autoclavable at 121°C / Gamma Stable / EtO Compliant

Key Benefits & Applications

• Peristaltic Pump Manifolds: Frequently deployed to divide a master feed line from a single peristaltic pump head into dual parallel delivery lines for multi-vessel dosing.

• Bioreactor Nutrient Feeds: Ideal for splitting sterile media feeds or gas perfusion lines across twin benchtop fermentation chambers without disrupting fluid velocities.

• Chemical & Solvent Transfer: Highly effective for routing dilute aqueous reagents, chemical cleaning fluids, and buffer arrays that would corrode brass or strip inferior plastics.

• Environmental Sampling: The completely metal-free composition prevents trace-element contamination, making it a reliable standard for groundwater testing and baseline air-monitoring lines.

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