Everything you need to know about pipe fittings

by Ricky A. Professional Writer

What is pipe fitting and what are pipe fittings?

Pipe fitting involves the installation and the repair of pipes or tubing systems that transport materials including liquids, gasses, and sometimes – although rarely – solids. Thus, pipe fitting involves everything from the selection of the right type of pipes and fittings for the intended job to their installation and the repair of leaks.

Pipes have a huge number of uses ranging from manufacturing, power plants, oil or other refineries, hydraulics, and many more. Different types of pipe-fittings are used to connect pipes in different industries. Due to the different nature of pipes used, different kinds of pipe fittings are available that can cater to the structural and practical needs of the pipes that need to be connected.

A little bit of history

Ever wonder how pipes originated? Well, there is no clear date or information as to a specific point in time when pipes were first employed for the transportation of material. However, we do know that their use is archaic and that the first use of pipes on a mass level was done by the Romans to transport water.

Interestingly, they employed the use of lead pipes and even though lead is poisonous to the human body, they did not suffer from lead poisoning. This is because the Romans had exceptionally high amounts of calcium carbonate in the water, which formed a layer inside the pipes, preventing the direct exposure of water with the lead in the pipes.

More about pipe fitting

Pipe-fitting is contemporarily a trade of global significance and is crucial for the functioning of a number of industries. Quite often, pipe fitting involves potentially hazardous activities, as many industries utilize pipes for the transportation of harmful substances. Different materials have different needs; for example, for rigid copper pipes elbow fittings are used because the pipe is rigid and thus, elbow fittings facilitate the turning motion in the transportation of the substance.

Compression fittings usually have an ‘O’ ring or a soft metal which helps in attaching the fitting to the pipe once it is squeezed onto the pipe.

Purpose of Pipe Fittings

Without pipe-fittings the use of pipes would be severely limited. This can be illustrated by the many uses of pipe fittings. Pipe fittings are used to change the direction of the flow of the liquid or gas within the pipe; this can be done through elbow fittings as mentioned above. Pipe fittings are also used for sealing or closing pipes, as well as, to maintain or regulate the flow within the pipe.

Pipe fittings have an invaluable role connecting pipes to different apparatuses and connecting them to different pipes.

What you should keep in mind when selecting pipe fittings

Perhaps the most important consideration when it comes to selecting pipe fittings is the material used. The pipe fitting selected should be of the same material as the material of the pipe, so that it has the same resistant properties that the pipe already possesses for the transportation of the particular substance.

Another important point to note is that the ends of the pipe fittings being used should be wider than the pipe. This is important so that the fitting doesn’t limit the flow of the substance within the pipe. Moreover, the type of fitting also matters significantly. Pipe fittings are either male threaded, female threaded, male slip fit, or female slip fit. Their uses vary with the type of connection and the purpose of the connection.

If you’re looking for pipe fittings suppliers or manufacturers, SEALEXCEL is definitely the right company. Operating from India, the company caters to the needs of industries on an international scale. For more information regarding its products, visit:

http://sealexcel.com/37_flare_tube_fittings/37_flare_tube_fittings_index.html