Are the interfaces of Type C Air Conditioning Hose and other types of hoses universal?

In the maintenance and upgrade of automotive air conditioning and industrial refrigeration systems, the interface compatibility of Type C Air Conditioning Hose directly affects the construction efficiency and system reliability. When facing different types of compressors and condensers, can plug-and-play be achieved?
"Language barriers" of interface standards: dual differences in size and structure
The interface universality of air conditioning hoses is restricted by three core parameters:
Thread standard: Type C hoses generally use M24×1.5 metric fine thread, while Type A/B hoses are mostly UNF 7/8-14 American thread. The pitch difference between the two is 0.3mm, which directly leads to inability to mesh.
Sealing form: Type C interfaces mostly use O-ring axial sealing (in accordance with SAE J2064 standard) and need to be matched with flat flanges; while Type D hoses tend to be metal cone seals (SAE J2196), relying on taper matching to achieve airtightness.
Port diameter: The inner diameter of the Type C interface is usually 12.7mm, which is 21% larger than the 10.5mm of Type B. The flow difference may cause system pressure fluctuations.
Risk warning: Hidden costs of forced mixing
Attempting to achieve cross-model connection by violent screwing or filling with sealant will lead to serious consequences:
Seal failure: Thread misalignment causes local pressure on the O-ring, and the leakage risk increases by 80% at a working pressure of 35bar;
Metal fatigue: Local stress concentration of mismatched threads may cause cracks at the root of the port (after 5,000 vibration tests, the life is shortened by 60%);
System contamination: Fragments of non-standard sealing materials may enter the refrigeration circuit, blocking the expansion valve or damaging the compressor.
Positive compatibility solution: adapter technology and modular design
For the coexistence of multiple models, the industry has developed three major adaptation paths:
Adapter kit: CNC precision-machined 304 stainless steel adapter, embedded with dual-standard threads (such as M24×1.5 to UNF 7/8-14), and leak tested by high-pressure helium mass spectrometry (leak rate <1×10⁻⁶ mbar·L/s). A case of a car company showed that after using the adapter solution, the maintenance time was reduced by 40%.
Composite sealing system: Integrate multi-stage sealing structure in Type C interface - for example, the hybrid solution of O-ring + metal gasket is compatible with conical and flat flanges and can withstand temperature differences of -40℃ to 150℃.
Quick connector revolution: Some new Type C hoses are equipped with Push-Lock quick-plug interfaces, which realize blind plug connection with Type E/F hoses through spring locking mechanism, and can be connected within 10 seconds without tools.
Universal design for the future
The evolution of industry standards is driving the unification of interfaces:
ISO 13061-2: An international standard to be implemented in 2025, requiring Type C/D hoses to use a unified M24×1.5 thread and standardizing the hardness of the O-ring (70±5 Shore A);
Magnetic positioning technology: Neodymium magnetic rings are embedded in the interface to ensure automatic rejection when the misalignment exceeds 0.5mm to prevent misconnection;
Intelligent identification chip: An RFID tag is implanted inside the connector to communicate with the device controller, automatically match pressure parameters and alarm interface type errors.