Stainless steel pipe fittings are the indispensable components for a piping system, they are widely used for chemical, water treatment, oil refinery, ship building, paper making industries etc.
Stainless steel pipe fitting is part that connect pipe to pipe, its purpose to connect, control and change the direction, split, sealed, support various parts and components in pipeline system, selecting and preparing proper pipe fitting to joint together, there are various types, sizes, grades & specifications to meet specific requirement.
These valuable fittings are available in many different shapes, dependent on the intended purpose:
- – ‘Elbows’ are used to alter the pathway of a pipeline
- – ‘Reducers’ are needed to reduce or increase the size of the pipe bore size
- – ‘Tees’ or ‘Crosses’ are used to split the flow in the pipe multiple ways
- – ‘Caps’ are used if the pipeline needs to be closed off
Dimension:
Pipe Fittings are sized to Nominal pipe size (NPS) respectively, NPS ranges from1/2 inch to 24 inch, thicknesses are marked in schedule no, ranging from SC 5 to 80S, sizes tolerances should be controled in compliance with standard specifications in both outside and inside.
- 1/2” to 24” seamless type SCH 5S to XXS
- 2” to 48” welded type SCH 5S to XXS
Pipe Fitting Joint method
- Butt welded pipe fittings
- Threaded fittings
- Sleeve pipe fittings
- Clamp pipe fittings
- Socket pipe fitting
Manufacturing method and process
A buttweld fitting is manufactured by the process of hot or cold forming, which means that it is bended and moulded to the correct shape. They are also heat treated to remove residual stresses and to achieve specific mechanical properties.
The ends of buttweld fittings have to be bevelled and the exact shape of the bevel depends upon the wall thickness of the pipe it is being attached to. The material of a buttweld fitting can be any one of a number of exotic materials such as super duplex, nickel alloy or 6% Moly. The majority of the time, the material of the fitting is the same as the pipe system that it is welded to.
Application of
Stainless steel pipe/buttweld fittings industries
Buttweld fittings can be used in a wide variety of industries to alter, divide or end the flow of fluids. These operations include the following: waste treatment facilities, chemical processing, breweries, petrochemical facilities, cryogenic plants, paper production, gas processing and even nuclear power plants.
The wide range of applications demonstrates the robustness of a buttweld fitting and how much this particular type of fitting is relied upon.
Somethings you should know before using in stainless steel pipe fittings
Since its introduction over ten decades ago, stainless steel has quickly gained popularity to become an indispensable material in most industries today. The versatility of stainless steel has made it an ideal material for a variety of uses, including the manufacture of pipe fittings such as elbows, tee joints, reducers, and pipe caps.
Piping systems have various applications, including in the construction of residential and commercial properties, public works, and in the petroleum industry to facilitate, regulate, and measure fluid flow. Pipe fittings are used to connect the various sections of tubes and ensure an uninterrupted flow of fluid from the source to the destination.
For every application of piping systems, there is a need to invest in high-quality, durable, and reliable fittings that can withstand the test of time and hold tubing together without causing fluid leakage. That’s why you should consider investing in stainless steel fittings for your specific application.
Stainless steel has many advantageous properties, all of which make it ideal for the manufacture of pipe fittings for both residential and commercial use.
1. Stainless steel fittings are corrosion resistant
Although steel had been around for decades, it was unpopular due to a few flaws – the material was susceptible to corrosion, especially when exposed to harsh environments. Pipes and pipe fittings made from steel fittings would not last long when exposed to chemicals, moisture, and other corrosive elements.
Manufactures started exploring steel alloys which would better withstand harsh conditions and outperform pure steel. It is during this time that stainless steel was developed.
Stainless steel is an alloy of steel that contains iron and chromium. This combination drastically improved the corrosion resistance properties of the metal. A thin oxide layer on the surface of the metal renders the material inactive in corrosive environments.
The use of stainless steel pipes and fittings is the perfect way to guarantee the durability and reliability of your pipes. Due to its corrosion resistance properties, stainless steel can be used to make fittings that will be used together with tubes for the transfer of fluids such as water, petroleum, industrial chemicals, and wastewater.
Any corrosive elements in the fluids cannot compromise the integrity of the fittings to cause damage which would consequently lead to fluid leakage. For this reason, you can rest assured that your fittings will maintain their performance regardless of the environment they are exposed.
2. Stainless steel fittings are sturdy and durable
Most piping systems that are used in various industrial, residential, and commercial applications today are usually installed out of sight. This means that the pipes are either placed in the ground or behind walls and concrete structures.
Repairing worn pipe fittings can be an intensive project that would involve partial demolitions on structures and disturbances to landscaping.
What’s more, fluid leaks due to compromised fittings can result in property damage and costly losses:
- Water leaks in residential and commercial plumbing systems can result in extensive water damage to ceilings, flooring, and insulation. Repairing the structure would cost a fortune.
- Fluid leaks in the petroleum industry can lead to dramatic losses, especially if they are not discovered in time.
- Worn fittings in industrial facilities can leak slurries, powders, chemicals, small solids, and other fluids that are conveyed through piping systems. These leaks can compromise the integrity of the final products.
Investing in sturdy and durable stainless steel fittings has its advantages. First, you are assured of a reliable piping system that will not leak and cost you thousands of dollars in repairs. In the industrial setting, a reliable piping system preserves the integrity of your products and fluids.
Stainless steel fittings may have a high initial cost when compared to other materials, but they will last for decades without requiring replacement. They can withstand impact and physical abuse without developing leaks. Once stainless steel fittings are installed on your piping systems, they are bound to last as long as the structure. You won’t have to break a wall to replace a leaking pipe.
3. Stainless pipe fittings are resistant to extreme temperatures
Fluctuations in fluid temperature due to internal or external factors should be a point of consideration when investing in pipes and pipe fittings. Do you intend to convey extremely hot or cold fluids through the piping system? What will happen when the temperatures are dramatically low during the winter? Will your pipes and fittings freeze and burst?
You need a material that can withstand extreme temperatures without changing its form. So if you intend to convey hot water or freezing liquids, you should opt for a material that can handle the heat or cold.
Stainless steel pipe fittings are an excellent option due to their high resistance to extreme temperatures. Unlike plastic, stainless steel will not change its form when exposed to heat and neither will it crack when exposed to low temperatures.
When coupled with stainless steel pipes, these fittings can deliver a strong piping system that will hold up to high and low temperatures without bursting or wearing out.
This property increases the functionality of stainless steel fittings and makes them suitable for use in a wide range of residential, commercial, and industrial applications.
4.Stainless fittings offer a strength-to-weight advantage
During the manufacture of pipe fittings, materials that are more likely to wear out from exposure to harsh conditions have to be produced with this weakness in mind. For that reason, manufacturers develop thicker fittings that use a lot of material to improve their resilience to corrosives and extreme temperature.
The use of more material translates into increased production costs. What’s more, the fittings become heavy and cumbersome to install, and this leads to increased project costs.
Stainless steel triumphs other materials that would be used in the manufacture of pipe fittings due to its strength-to-weight advantage. The metal is in itself corrosion-resistant, and it performs well under extreme temperatures.
You can make thinner pipe fittings from stainless steel as compared to other materials on the market today. With fewer materials required in the fabrication process, the production costs of stainless steel are significantly reduced.
Thinner fittings are easy to install, and they cut down on the time and resources required during the process. This means that you will spend much less on buying and installing the fittings as compared to if you opted for another material.
5.Stainless fittings are aesthetically appealing
Client in the residential and commercial industries today want fixtures that will deliver on both functionality and visual appeal.
You need a pipe fitting material that has aesthetic qualities in addition to being sturdy and reliable. Stainless steel fittings can be manufactured in a variety of finishes to meet your project needs.
Do you want a matte, mirror, or brushed finish? You have the option of choosing from these and common finishes when using stainless steel.
This means that if your piping systems are installed on sight, you don’t have to worry about them ruining the aesthetics. Instead, the fittings add visual interest to your pipes and give them a beautiful appearance.
As a professional in the engineering industry, there is a need to provide your clients with high-quality pipe fittings that will withstand the test of time and be worth their investment. Stainless steel makes an excellent solution for all your piping and pipe fittings needs. From these insights, it produces premium fittings that can be relied upon for all sorts of applications.
Stainless specifications & grades
Since steel can be alloyed with an infinite number of combinations of alloying elements, a classification system has been developed to facilitate easy identification of the compounds used. Stainless steel has its own list of classifications, each of which will be explained in outline below.| Type 304 Stainless Steel | Type 321 Stainless Steel | UNS32750 SuperDuplex |
| Type 304L Stainless Steel | Type 347 Stainless Steel | UNS32760 SuperDuplex |
| Type 304H Stainless Steel | Type 410 Stainless Steel | 1.4057 Stainless Steel |
| Type 316 Stainless Steel | UNS32205 Duplex | |
| Type 316L Stainless Steel | Nitronic 30 | |
| Type 316H Stainless Steel |
Stainless steel related special grade
| Material | Standard | Material |
|---|---|---|
| Stainless Steel | ASTM | 201, 202, 301, 304, 304L, 304N, XM21, 304LN, 305, 309S, 310S, 316, 316Ti, 316L, 316N, 316LN, 317, 317L, 321, 347, 329, 405, 409, 430, 434, 444, 403, 410, 420, 440A, etc. |
| EN | 1.4372, 1.4373, 1.4319, 1.4301, 1.4306, 1.4315, 1.4303, 1.4833, 1.4845, 1.4401, 1.4571, 1.4404, 1.4429, 1.4438, 1.4541, 1.4550, 1.4477, 1.4462, 1.4002, 1.4512, 1.4016, 1.4113, 1.4509, 1.4521, 1.4006, 1.4021, 1.4028, etc. | |
| JIS | SUS201, SUS202, SUS301, SUS304, SUS304L, SUS304N1, SUS304N2, SUS304LN, SUS305, SUS309S, SUS310S, SUS316, SUS316L, SUS316TI, SUS316N, SUS316LN, SUS316J1, SUS316J1L, SUS317, SUS317L, SUS321, SUS347, SUS329J1, SUS329J3L, SUS405, SUH409, SUS410L, SUS430, SUS434, SUS444, SUS403, SUS410, SUS420J1, SUS420J2, SUS440A, SUS440B, SUS440C, etc. |