Copper
Pipe Fittings
Copper pipe fittings play an important role in many plumbing and
heating applications. These fittings are used for installation of
various types of pipes. In fact, copper pipe fittings are mainly used
with copper pipes used for supplying hot and cold water in residential
water supply lines, as refrigerant line in HVAC, etc. Copper pipe
fittings are available in many different sizes and styles and you can
select the right one for your application.
Why Copper Pipe Fittings?
Copper pipe fittings are extremely resistant to corrosion, and hence
are mostly preferred for household water supply pipelines and other
plumbing operations.
Types of Copper Used:
The pipe fittings also vary depending on the type of pipe used. Copper
pipes and fittings are usually made of two basic types of copper:
- Soft copper: Tubes or pipes made of soft or ductile
copper can be easily bent to travel around obstacles in the path of
the tubing. Soft copper tubing is the only type, which is suitable
for flare connections. Soft copper mostly preferred for refrigerant
lines in split-system air conditioners and heat pumps.
- Rigid copper: Rigid copper is widely popular for water
pipelines. Rigid copper pipes are connected using compression or
sweat connection. As the name suggests, rigid copper cannot be bent
and must use elbow fittings to go around corners or avoid obstacles.
Copper pipes are usually joined using flare connection, compression
connection and sweat or solder connection.
Categories of Copper Pipe Fittings:
Copper pipe fittings are mainly divided into three categories:
- The first category includes fittings that are designed for making
bends and turns in the pipe.
- The second category comprise of fittings meant for connecting or
branching copper pipe.
- The third category comprises of couplings, slip couplings, cast
iron pipe adapters, etc. Any of these fittings can be selected
depending on whether the pipe is rigid or flexible.
Types of Copper Pipe Fitting:
A range of pipe fittings are made of copper. Some of the common pipe
fittings include:
