Pipe Fittings Applications

Pipe and pipe fittings go hand-in hand. Just as pipes are used for a variety of residential, public and industrial applications, so also the pipe fittings. No pipes can be connected without the use of proper fittings and flanges. Pipe fittings allow pipes to be installed and connected or joined where necessary and terminated in the right place.

Pipe fittings include a wide range of products in various shapes, sizes and materials. With rapid developments in the field of industrial fittings and continuous research work in this industry, various new products are manufactured. Some fittings have certain special features so that they can be fabricated on different principles like hydraulics, pneumatic depending on the end usage. Fittings include a comprehensive range of products depending on various applications in which they are applied.

Categories of fittings
Fittings can be grouped in one of the following categories:

• Fittings that extend or terminate pipe runs
  • Couplings
  • Adapters
  • Caps and Plugs
• Fittings that change a pipe's direction
  • Elbows (ells)
• Fittings that Connect two or more pipes
  • Reducers
  • Bushings
  • Flex couplings
  • Fitting reducers
  • Adapters

Applications of pipe fittings:
There is no end to applications of pipe fittings so long there is no end to the applications of pipes . While the list of piping applications continues to expand, its strength, flexibility, very good flow rates and high chemical resistance are qualities which are uniquely suited for the movement or transfer of liquids, steam, solids and air from one point to another. With piping, pipe fittings have many other uses like as follows:

• The transfer of extremely hazardous materials such as chemical and waste.
• Protection of sensitive equipment from high pressures.
• Protection from corrosion and other extreme weather conditions.
• Resistance to household and industrial chemicals.

Considering the various purposes of pipe fittings, these pipe fittings are used in various industries like:

• Chemical / Petrochemical
• Municipal
• Food, Beverage, and Dairy
• Oil and Gas
• Power
• Process Instrumentation
• Pulp and Paper
• Semiconductor
• Marine & dredging
• Sanitation
• Irrigation
• Residential
• Road & highway construction
• Ventilation etc.

In all the above-mentioned industries pipes are used to transfer liquid, gas, slurries, and other solids and fluids from one area to another and accordingly different categories of pipe fittings are used . Thus, pipe fittings play a vital role for proper functioning of pipe and tubes in various applications.

Some photographs depicting the applications of different pipe fittings: