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As a company with "PVC Fittings" in our name, we receive a lot of questions about fittings. These questions often have to do with pipe fittings sizes and dimensions, which makes sense because those topics can be confusing! Other questions are about the fittings themselves and what they are meant for. Compatibility and general pipe fitting knowledge can be overwhelming to someone who is new to the world of PVC! If you are trying to expand your PVC knowledge, you can use this blog post as a pipe fitting study guide! This pipe fittings guide will outline all the major types of PVC fittings as well as how and why to use them. This is a long post, so you can use the "Contents" section to navigate it!

Contents

>Pipe Fittings Sizes
>PVC End Types and Adhesives
>Furniture Grade Fittings Vs. Regular Fittings
>PVC Fittings - Descriptions and Applications
---->Tees
---->Elbows
---->Crosses
---->Couplings and Unions
---->Caps and Plugs
---->Adapters (Female and Male)
---->Bushings
---->Nipples
---->Flanges

 

Pipe Fittings Sizes

As mentioned in a previous blog post about PVC pipe outer diameter, PVC pipe and fittings use a nominal system for standard sizing. This is so all parts with the same size in their name will be compatible with each other. All 1" fittings will fit on 1" pipe, for example. That seems pretty straightforward, right? Well here's the confusing part: the outer diameter (OD) of PVC pipe is greater than the size in its name. That means that 1" PVC pipe will have an OD that is greater than 1", and a 1" PVC fitting will have an even larger OD than the pipe.

The most important thing when working with PVC pipe and fittings is the nominal size. A 1" fitting will fit on a 1" pipe, regardless of whether either one is schedule 40 or 80. So, while a 1" socket fitting has an opening wider than 1" across, it will fit on a 1" pipe because the OD of that pipe is also greater than 1".

There may come a time when you want to use a PVC fitting with non-PVC pipe. The nominal size, in this case, is not as important as the OD of the pipe you are using. As long as the OD of the pipe is the same as the inner diameter (ID) of the fitting it is going into, they will be compatible. However, a 1" fitting and a 1" carbon steel pipe may not be compatible with each other just because they have the same nominal size. Be sure to do your research before spending money on parts that may not be compatible with each other!

Click here for more information on PVC outer diameter.

PVC End Types and Adhesives

Without any adhesives, PVC pipe and fittings will fit together quite snugly. They will not, however, be watertight. If you are going to have any fluids passing through your pipe, you will want to ensure that there will be no leaks. There are several different ways to do this, and the method you choose will depend on what you are connecting.

PVC pipe itself does not usually have threaded ends. This is just one reason that most PVC fittings have slip ends. "Slip" in PVC does not mean the connection will be slippery, but rather that the fitting will slip right over the pipe. When putting pipe into a slip fitting, the connection may seem tight, but to transport any liquid media, it will need to be sealed. PVC cement seals pipe through a chemical reaction that bonds the plastic of one part to another. For a guaranteed seal on a slip fitting, you will need both PVC primer and PVC cement. The primer softens the inside of the fitting, preparing it to bond, while the cement keeps the two pieces stuck together tight.

Threaded fittings need to be sealed differently. The main reason people use threaded parts is so that they can be taken apart if necessary. PVC cement bonds pipe together, so if it is used on threaded joints, it will make a seal, but the threads will become useless. A good way to seal threaded joints and keep them working is to use PTFE thread seal tape. Just wrap it around the male threads a few times and it will keep the connection sealed and lubricated. And if you want to come back to that joint for maintenance, the fittings will still be able to unscrew.

Want to know about all the different PVC end types and connections? Click here for more information on PVC end types.

Furniture Grade Fittings vs. Regular Fittings

Often our customers ask us, "What is the difference between furniture grade fittings and regular fittings?" The answer is pretty simple: our furniture grade fittings have no manufacturer printing or bar codes. They are clean white or black with nothing printed on them. This makes them great for applications where the pipe will be visible, whether or not it is actually for furniture. The sizes are the same as regular fitting sizes. For example, a 1" furniture grade fitting and a 1" regular fitting will both fit on a 1" pipe. Also, they are just as durable as the rest of our PVC fittings.

Click here for more information on our furniture grade pipe and fittings.

PVC Fittings - Descriptions and Applications

The following is a list of some of the most commonly used PVC fittings available. Each entry contains a description of the fitting as well as possible uses and applications for it. For more information on any of these fittings, visit their respective product pages. It's important to remember that each fitting has a countless amount of iterations and uses, so keep that in mind when shopping for fittings.

Tees

PVC tees are a fitting with three ends; two in a straight line and one on the side at a 90-degree angle. Tees allow a line to be split into two separate lines with a 90-degree connection. Also, tees can connect two lines into one main line. They are also often used for PVC structures. Tees are an extremely versatile fitting that are some of the most widely used parts in plumbing. Most tees have slip socket ends, but threaded versions are available.

Elbows

If you need your piping system to get turn or get around something in the way, you will need to bend your pipeline around with PVC elbows. Elbows are most commonly available in 90-degree angles and 45-degree angles, so your pipeline can be directed however you want it. Side elbows are a slightly different piece that are commonly used as corners in projects such as canopies, tents, displays, and boxes. They have three ends instead of two. Most elbows have slip socket ends, but threaded versions are available.

Crosses

Crosses are a slightly less common type of fitting that join four pipe sections. They have four slip connections (S x S x S x S) that meet at 90-degree angles, forming a "plus" shape. PVC cross fittings are usually used when building framework out of PVC pipe. Crosses can add a great deal of structural integrity to a framework. They can also be used to divide fluid flow in different directions.

Couplings and Unions

Couplings are one of the most simple (and inexpensive) types of PVC fittings. They are a small part that connects or "couples" one part to another, usually permanently. They can connect pipe to pipe and pipe to fitting. Some of them even reduce so you can connect a small pipe to a large pipe or vice versa. Couplings are available with slip or female-threaded ends, depending on what you need them for.

Unions, like couplings, connect things, but they are a not-as-permanent solution that can be easily taken apart. PVC unions are often used in building temporary structures, such as tent supports, and can be taken apart when the structure is no longer needed. They feature a ring in the center that separates the two ends from each other, allowing for easy deconstruction and maintenance.

Caps and Plugs

Caps have a very simple job: stop the flow. They are put on the end of a pipeline that does not need to be connected to another pipe. They can stop a pipeline that you plan on expanding later or give you easy access to a system when needed. They can also add a finished look to pipe in PVC building projects. Caps go around or outside the pipe, so they can have either a socket or female-threaded end.

Plugs are like caps, but instead of stopping the flow in a pipe, they stop the flow in a fitting. Because of this, plugs go inside the fitting. This means they either have a spigot or male-threaded end.

Adapters (Female and Male)

Adapters, sometimes called reducing couplings, are a versatile fitting. These fittings are designed to change the end type of a pipe, allowing it to connect to fittings and pipes of many sizes. They can have threaded or slip socket ends to connect to an endless variety of pipes and fittings. Adapters can be either male- or female-threaded, as well as socket or spigot.

Bushings

Bushings are a lot like adapters, but with a focus on connecting pipes of different diameters by reducing the fitting. (Bushings cannot reduce pipe.) Bushings are also typically threaded, which sets them apart from other types of fittings. This allows for different kinds of connections and makes maintenance and pipeline customization easier. Bushings are often seen in landscaping and aquaculture applications because they work better with water than metal fittings that may rust.

Nipples

There are some situations in which two female ends in a PVC system need to be connected. The fitting for this job is a nipple. A nipple is a fitting with two male-threaded ends. Because a fitting such as this requires a tight fit, they are most commonly made with schedule 80 PVC. They are still compatible with schedule 40 parts, however.

Flanges

Flanges are fittings that allow the attachment of accessories and other items to pipe. They can also increase the strength of pipe. The most common type of flange is found at the base of a toilet. Flanges are a disc-like fitting that create a tight seal by pressing two surfaces together with bolts, clamps, edges, or a compressive force. Most flanges, however, use bolts to join the two surfaces together. PVC flanges are available with slip or threaded ends. Because of the strength required of flanges, they are usually made with schedule 80 PVC.

Are you interested in learning more about cheap black pipe fittings? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

 

These are just a handful of the more popular PVC fittings. If you continue to learn about PVC pipe and fittings, you will stumble upon many other types of fittings and different varieties of the ones covered here.

 

Home / Pipe Fitting by Types

Pipe Fitting by Types

Pipe fittings are widely demanded for any piping and plumbing systems used in industrial and commercial applications. Fittings allow pipes to be joined or installed in the appropriate place and terminated or closed where necessary. Fittings are available in various shapes and sizes. They can be expensive, require time, and different materials and tools to install. They are an essential part of piping and plumbing systems. There are thousands of specialized fittings manufactured. Each type of pipe or tube requires its own type of fitting, but usually all pipe fittings share some common features. Pipe fittings are available everywhere where plumbing materials are sold.

Pipe Fittings Types & Their Functions

1. Elbows: Such pipe fittings are used to change the direction of the flow. They are majorly available in two standard types - 90 and 45 degree angles owing to their high demand in plumbing. The 90 degree elbow is primarily used to connect hoses to water pumps, valves, and deck drains, while the 45 degree elbow is mostly used in water supply facilities, electronic and chemical industrial pipeline networks, food, air-conditioning pipelines, garden production, agriculture, and solar-energy facility.

Available in: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS plastic), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), chrome-plated brass, chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), stainless steel, malleable (galvanized and black), and copper.

2. Couplings: A coupling is a pipe fitting used to stop leakages in broken or damaged pipes. The pipes to be connected should be of the same diameter. The two kinds of couplings used in plumbing are regular coupling and slip coupling. The regular coupling is arranged between the two pipes to prevent further leakages with the help of rubber seals or gaskets on the both sides. The slip coupling itself contains two pipes to repair the damaged lengthy pipes.

Available in: ABS, brass, copper, chrome-plated brass, CPVC, PVC, malleable (galvanized and black), and stainless steel.

3. Union: This type of pipe fitting is almost similar to coupling in terms of functions, but just with a difference, i.e. a union can be removed easily any time while the coupling cannot. A variety of dielectric unions are used to join pipes made of different materials to avoid any kind of galvanic corrosion between them. These pipe fittings comprise of a nut, female and male ended threads.

Available in: Brass, copper, chrome-plated brass, malleable (galvanized and black), PVC, CPVC, and stainless steel.

4. Adapters: Adapters are connected to pipes to either increase their lengths or if pipes do not have appropriate ends. These pipe fittings make the ends of the pipe either male or female threaded as per the need. This permits unlike pipes to be connected without any need of extensive setup. They are mostly used for PVC and copper pipes.

Available in: ABS, CPVC, copper, malleable (galvanized and black), PVC, brass, and stainless steel.

5. Nipple: This is a short butt of a pipe that works as a connection between two other fittings having male threads. A close nipple is a type of pipe fitting having continuous threading on them. They are mostly used in hoses and plumbing.

Available in: Brass, chrome-plated brass, malleable (galvanized and black), PVC, copper, and stainless steel.

6. Reducer: This pipe setting is used to reduce the flow size of the pipe from the bigger to smaller one. There are two kinds of reducers- concentric reducer and eccentric reducer. The former one is in the shape of a cone used for gradual reducing of the size of the pipe. The latter one has its one edge facing the mouth of theconnecting pipe reducing the chances of air accumulation.

7. Tee: This T-shaped pipe fitting used in the plumbing system has one inlet and two outlets arranged at an angle of 90 degrees to the main pipe. This kind of fitting is used to connect the two pipes and make their flow direction as one. If all the three sides of this fitting are same in size, it is called equal tee, otherwise unequal tee.

Available in: ABS, copper, CPVC, PVC, brass, chrome-plated brass, malleable (galvanized and black), and stainless steel.

8. Cross: This type of pipe fitting contains four openings in all thefour major directions. This fitting is adjoined to four pipes meeting at common point. There is either one inlet and three outlets or vice-versa to flow water or any other liquid in four different directions. These kinds of pipe fittings are commonly used in fire sprinkler systems.

Available in: PVC, brass, malleable (galvanized and black), and stainless steel.

9. Flanges: A flange is another pipe fitting used to connect pipes, pumps, valves, and other components to form a full-fledged piping system. They come with a flexibility of easily cleaning or inspecting the whole system from within. They are fixed to the pipes using welding, threading or screwing techniques and then finally sealed with the help of bolts. They are used in residential pump systems and majorly for industrial purposes.

Available in: Brass, copper, malleable (galvanized and black), and PVC.

10. Caps & Plugs: Both these pipe fittings are used to close the ends of the pipe either temporarily or permanently. The plugs are fitted inside the pipe and threaded to keep the pipe for future use. There are a good number of ways a cap can be applied to the pipe like soldering, glue, or threading depending on the material of the pipe.

Available in: ABS, brass, copper, chrome-plated brass, malleable (galvanized and black), CPVC, PVC, and stainless steel.

11. Bushings: These pipe fittings are used to combine pipes of different sizes together by decreasing the size of the larger fitting to the size of the smaller pipe. Bushings are not always threaded inside out and occupy very little space in comparison to a union or coupling used for the same purpose.

Available in: ABS, chrome-plated brass, copper, brass, CPVC, PVC, stainless steel, and malleable (galvanized and black).

12. Wyes: Such type of pipe fittings are used in drainage systems and have a branch line at 45 degrees to keep the flow of water smooth. When the sanitary tees fail to work in a horizontal connection, such cases needs a wye.

Available in: Brass, ABS, and PVC.

13. Valves: Valves are used in the plumbing system to stop the flow of gases or liquids. There are of three types – throttling, isolation, and non-return. The isolation valves are used to disconnect a part of the piping system temporarily for maintenance or repair. The throttling valves are used to regulate the amount of pressure of a liquid in a pipe; they can also withstand the stress caused by this process.

14. Barb: A barb is another useful pipe fitting used in the plumbing system that connects flexible tubing to pipes. It has a male-threaded end on one side that connects with the female threads, and the other end has a single or a multi-barbed tube that is inserted in the flexible tubing.

Available in: Brass for hot water uses and plastic for cold water.

15. Diverter tee: This kind of a tee-shaped pipe fitting is commonly used in the pressurized hydronic heating systems to redirect a part of the flow from the main line to the side branch connected to a heat exchanger.

16. Olet: These fittings are used when the standard size of the fittings fails to serve the purpose. How are pipe fittings connected to pipes?
Pipe fittings are either male fittings or female fittings. In threaded pipe fittings, female threads are on the inside while male threads are on the outside. Pipe fittings that have one female end and one male end are called street fittings. Pipe fittings are used to connect pipes or tubes in two ways:

• By threading: Threaded pipes screw together to connect or join. Generally metal pipes are threaded and they have threaded fittings.
• By slip fit: Slip fit pipes use sleeves that slip into one another. The plastic pipes are either threaded or slip fit.

Accordingly pipe fittings are organized as follows:

• Male threaded: Exterior threads. Are screwed into the inside of pipe end of a larger diameter with internal threading.
• Female threaded: Interior threads. Receive male threaded pipe fittings.
• Male slip fit: There are no threads. Receive a narrower.
• Female slip fit: Female slip fit: There are no threads. Made to slip into slightly larger male sleeve.

Purpose of a pipe fitting:

The basic purposes of any pipe fitting are as follows:

• Connecting the bores of two or more pipes or tubes.
• Connecting pipe sections.
• Connecting a pipe to a different apparatus.
• Changing the direction of fluid/liquid flow.
• Maintaining or regulating the flow.
• Closing and sealing a pipe.

Selection criteria for pipe fittings:

Pipe fittings are to be chosen considering certain factors. They are as follows:

• Connection types: When purchasing pipe fittings, you should be aware of the fact that a fitting can have two different connector types. One end of the fitting might be female threaded while the other female threaded. One end might be male slip while the other end is threaded, in the case of plastic fittings. They can also have matching ends which can accommodate any requirement.
• Materials of construction: As a rule, the pipe fitting should be of the same material as the material used in the making of the pipe in which it is to be fitted. However, in some cases, materials conforming to certain codes or standards can also be used in pipes of another material.
• Check for flow: To keep the flow consistent, the ends of pipe fittings should be slightly larger than the rest of the pipe so that they can accommodate connections without narrowing the inner diameter (ID) of the pipe.
• Type of fitting: Besides pipe materials, pipe fittings are identified by the type of fitting — threaded or slip, male or female.
• Size: When measuring the size of pipe fittings, it is to be noted that the male threaded fittings are measured to the outside edge or OD, while female fittings are measured to the inside edge of the inlet or ID.
• Thickness: Just as pipes are available in a number of different thicknesses or "schedules", so also the pipe fittings.
• Design: Each pipe or tube is designed to carry certain specific types of fluids, liquids, gases, chemicals under varying conditions. Accordingly, the pipe fittings are also available in variety of designs.
• Standards and codes: There are certain standards and codes set by various organizations by which the different pipe fittings are graded. For example, ASTM, ASME, BSP etc. are certain standards assigned to pipe fittings and those standards dictate their use.

Pipe Fittings based on Purposes :

Depending on the purposes served, pipe fittings can be categorized as under:

• Pipe fittings to extend or terminate pipe runs: For example, Couplings, Adapters, Unions , Caps and Plugs Pipe.
• Fittings to change a pipe's direction: For example , Elbows
• Pipe fittings to connect two or more pipes: For example: Tees, Cross, Side-inlet Elbows, Wyes
• Pipe fittings to change pipe size: For example, Reducers, Bushings, Couplings
• Pipe fittings to manage or regulate flow: For example, Valves
• Pipe fitting tools: For example, Pipe fasteners
• Pipe flanges

On the basis of the above categories, we give below an idea about the various types of pipe fittings available in the market.

The basic purposes of any pipe fitting are as follows:Pipe fittings are to be chosen considering certain factors. They are as follows:Depending on the purposes served, pipe fittings can be categorized as under:On the basis of the above categories, we give below an idea about the various types of pipe fittings available in the market.

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