Stainless Fittings
Stainless steel is an alloy that does not rust and is highly corrosion-resistant. Stainless steel has chromium which creates a thin layer of chromium oxide by reaction with oxygen in the atmosphere that consequently prevents corrosion by stopping the diffusion of oxygen to the steel surface. This thin layer of chromium oxide has self-repairing properties.
Stainless steel has different grades that are considered suitable for different environments. There are several grades of steel but the most commonly used stainless steel grades are 304 and 306.
304 Stainless
304 Stainless is one of the most commonly used grades of stainless steel. It is comprised of 15%-20% chromium and 2%-10.5% nickel. This grade of stainless steel is non -magnetic and contains a lower quantity of carbon. It has a higher resistance to corrosion in a variety of atmospheric environments. It is easier to mold and maintain.
316 Stainless
316 Stainless is the second most commonly used grade of steel. It contains molybdenum due to which it becomes flexible as well as corrosion-resistant. 316 Stainless demonstrates higher corrosion resistance, heat resistance, and it can be readily transformed.
Most of the fittings are made from stainless steel these days because of its corrosion and rust-resistant properties as well as resistance to extreme temperatures. These fittings are commonly known as stainless fittings or stainless steel fittings. There are various types of fittings such as:
- Stainless hose fittings
- Stainless adaptors
- Stainless compression tube fittings
- Stainless valves
Stainless Hose Fittings
Hose fittings are used to connect two hoses or connect a hose with a tap or connect a hose with some appliances or equipment. Stainless hose fittings are made from stainless steel which makes these fittings durable, corrosions resistant, heat resistant, and suitable for high-pressure applications.
Usually, hose fittings are similar to the hydraulic system or pneumatic system. In order to determine the fitting the first step is to define the system.
Hydraulic systems
The systems in which there is a transmission of liquid and fluids. These systems require fittings that are corrosion resistant and have a strong seal to make the system leak proof.
Pneumatic systems
Systems in which gases are transmitted. So, these systems require seals that can prevent leakage and is highly resistant to corrosion due to chemicals reactions.
Hose fittings are distinguished according to their connection type and the functions they perform. The stainless hose fittings are connected to the systems using several different methods each of which has its own advantages.
- Crimp fittings: These fittings require placing a hose over a cylindrical end and pressing it with a sleeve or crimp socket.
- Barbed Fittings These involve connecting hoses using a barbed tube having a narrow end with its edges inserted into the hose. They are suitable for low-pressure applications.
- End fittings:They allow certain surfaces to make hose connections. Clamp end fittings allow the hose to be fastened to the connection. Plain end fittings allow the hose to be connected using an adhesive, soldering, or some other forms.
- Compression fittings They are used to connect two hoses by compressing with the help of a compression nut and a ferrule.
- Threaded fittingsThese fittings have threads on their inner surface (female threads) or outer surface (male threads) which helps in connecting with the matching threads.
- Ball and sleeve fittings Ball and sleeve fittings are push to connect an outer sleeve to an inner ball fitting.
- Cam-lock fittings These fittings are connected with the help of tabs that are folded down after being inserted into the receiving end in order to lock the fitting. They are suitable for high-pressure hose systems.
Stainless Adaptors
Stainless steel fittings are the pieces that aid in changing the direction of the flow of liquids, gases, or fluids during chemical processing, changing the volume of the liquid or fluid, or connecting different components of the piping or tubing systems in order to control the pressure, create branches or stop the flow.
Stainless adaptors are used in several applications such as mining, machinery, and equipment, vehicles, etc. They are considered suitable for high-pressure applications and have rust and corrosion-resistant properties.
Usually, the terms tube and pipe are used interchangeably but there is a difference between them. The difference is that the tubes and tube fittings are available according to exact measurements and sizes while pipes do not have actual dimensions and they may differ a bit.
Additionally, tubes are considered suitable for construction and structural applications whereas pipes are more suitable for liquid, fluid, or gas transportation in chemical processing industries or in plumbing systems.
Due to this reason, the adaptors are divided into two categories stainless steel pipe-to-pipe adaptors and stainless steel pipe- to-tube adaptors. They are available in different shapes and are used for different purposes depending on the application or system they are used. They are listed below:
Pipe-to-Pipe Adaptors
- Tee
- Elbow
- Reducer
- Cross
- Plug and Cap
- Unions
- Flange
- Nipple
- Valves
Pipe-to-Tube Adaptors
- Connectors
- Bulkhead
- Tee
- Elbow
- Compression Fittings
The common configurations of adaptors that are available include:
- SAE O-ring
- JIC Flare
- NPT (male and female)
- ORFS (Face Seal)
- BSP
Stainless Compression Tube Fittings
Usually, compression tubes fittings are used in electrical supply systems and plumbing systems. These fittings are used to connect two thin-walled pipes or tubes or other instruments. The compression fitting contains three pieces including the body, nut, and a ferrule but there are compression fittings that consist of only two pieces.
The stainless compression fittings are suitable for hot and cold water taps and other plumbing applications. These fittings are easy to install and remove. They are available in different sizes and shapes such as
- Double Ferrule
- Single Ferrule
- Metric
The compressions pipe fittings are connected by compression between a ferrule and the pipe. These two surfaces are the body and the nut. The stainless compression fittings are more suitable with tubes that are clean and are cut properly.
Stainless Valves
Stainless steel valves are one of the most important pipe fittings. It is used to control the flow of liquid, fluid, or gas. It is done by opening or closing the passages completely or partially.
Non-Return Valve is a traditional and the most commonly used valve that ensures the flow of liquid in one direction only. There are valves that offer different functions such as regulating the flow and volume of the liquid, fluid, or gas as well as controlling the pressure. This type of valve is called a throttling valve. There is another type of valve that is used for isolating a particular section of the system for repair and maintenance or replacement of certain parts or fittings in the system. This valve is called the isolation valve.
There are various types of valves including check valves, plug valve, butterfly valves, needle valves, air release valves, gate valve, ball valves, globe valve, foot valve, pinch valve, blow-down valve, pressure-relieving valve, and pressure reducing valve.
The valves are attached to the piping systems by using various compression fittings, flanges, and welding techniques, etc. The stainless valves have corrosion resistance and are suitable for high-pressure applications.
The valves are commonly used for plumbing applications. They can be used in pneumatic as well as hydraulic systems to remotely control the operations. Other applications include water parks and swimming pools, wastewater, power plants, and water treatment plants.