How to Select the Right Pipe Material for Fluid Handling Operations

At manufacturing plants and other industrial locations, many parts are involved in the success of the entire operation. One of those components is the fluid handling system throughout the building &#; the piping that runs along the walls, ceiling and potentially underground to provide the facility with water, oil and other fluids that are necessary to complete certain processes.

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Like any system, the pipe and fittings involved in your fluid handling operations will eventually need to be replaced. If you&#;re building a new facility, you get to start from scratch and choose the best piping material for your needs. Whether you&#;re replacing your fluid handling system or installing one at a brand-new building, there are several factors you should consider before starting, as well as multiple pipe material options to choose from.

When implementing or constructing a fluid handling system in your plant or warehouse, you will have to make several decisions based on your industry, handled materials and objective. One of the most important decisions you will make during this process is the type of pipe material you need to transport your liquids, gases, chemicals and other fluids. This is not a decision to make lightly &#; the wrong pipe material could jeopardize the quality of your product, as well as the safety of you and your employees.

Here are seven factors to consider when choosing the best pipe material for your fluid handling system.

8 Elements to Consider When Selecting Pipe Material

The material of the pipes in your fluid handling system has a direct impact on the overall success of the system, as well as your facility&#;s overall mission or goal. It&#;s critical to weigh all your options and account for the multiple factors that will affect the oil and water pipe material selection process. Here are eight things to consider before you choose your fluid handling pipe material.

1. Material Being Transported

What type of liquid are your pipes transporting? More specifically, is the liquid corrosive or non-corrosive? Corrosive liquids include substances such as crude oil, ammonia, seawater and other acidic liquids that have a heavy chemical makeup. These liquids require a corrosion-resistant pipe material such as a plastic CPVC pipe or lined pipe. Since most liquids are at least slightly corrosive, you will need a corrosion-resistant material for the pipes that will transport it. Meanwhile, non-corrosive fluids or gases like lube oil, air and nitrogen are safe to transport via carbon steel or metal pipelining.

The type of liquid or gas your pipe system transports plays a significant role in choosing fluid handling pipe material. Some pipe materials are better suited for non-corrosive liquids, like oils or standard wastewater. More corrosive liquids, like acid or peroxide, require a pipe with an interior that can hold up to the abrasiveness of these corrosive materials. Corrosive materials are common in many industrial cleaning solutions, as well as in chemical manufacturing and handling. Remember, despite a plastic or metal pipe material&#;s durability and corrosion resistance, chemicals, acids and saltwater are much more abrasive than standard water or oil. Always keep the liquid you are transporting in mind when selecting a pipe material.

Take a look at how the following popular pipe and pipe lining materials stand up to corrosion:

• Stainless steel: It&#;s called &#;stainless&#; steel for a reason &#; stainless steel does not rust or corrode as quickly or easily as other materials. It naturally resists most corrosion because it consists of several different alloys, all of which help form a protective oxide layer on the surface. This natural layer is tough and durable. For this reason, it is an ideal water pipe material selection that is also suitable for oils and some chemicals.
• Aluminum alloy: Aluminum does not rust, which is useful when you need your transported liquid to remain pure and uncontaminated. It can handle exposure to many gases, oils and liquids without deteriorating. However, aluminum does corrode over time, especially in saltwater or sulfuric applications.
• Cast iron: Cast iron is easy to find and is uniquely durable against many external sources of corrosion, like plant growth and soil, because it is so thick. Cast iron can withstand water and saltwater for short periods, so it could be suitable for short-term projects. However, it does corrode and rust after prolonged water exposure.
• Fluoropolymer (PTFE) lining: PTFE pipe lining is non-reactive and very resistant against corrosive chemicals. It is one of the most universally applicable pipe lining materials, and thanks to its durability and zero-risk of product contamination, it is the perfect acid, water, chemical and oil pipe material selection.
• PVDF Kynar® lining: PVDF pipe lining is very durable and strong, and is one of the most abrasion-resistance materials on the market. Manufacturing facilities or plants that handle high-strength acids, chemicals, saltwater and nuclear materials find success with PVDF lining. It also resists corrosion from natural sunlight and weathering.
• Galvanized steel: For short-term saltwater projects, galvanized steel is a suitable pipe material, as it does not rust. However, it will corrode after prolonged exposure to both salt and water. Also worth noting is that galvanized steel often corrodes from the inside out, so it may be challenging to detect.
• Copper: Copper is widely used due to its ready availability and aesthetic appeal. It is not completely immune to corrosion, but it is more corrosion resistant than many other materials, such as galvanized steel. Copper is most prone to corrosion in fresh and saltwater, as well as particularly harsh chemicals and acids.
• Resistoflex ATL PTFE lining: ATL PTFE pipe lining contains specially formulated resins that make it very strong and durable during prolonged exposure to saltwater and aggressive chemicals. It is often used in paper processing and power generation plants, as well as in the service industry.
• Carbon steel:  Although carbon steel is ideal for high-temperature fluids, it does corrode easily under high levels of exposure to moisture, chemicals and acids.
• Polypropylene (PP) lining: PP pipe lining is a good high-temperature pipe material as it performs very well in temperatures as hot as 225 degrees, as well as saltwater and both basic and acidic applications. However, it does not withstand solvents, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or excessively low temperatures. PP lining is often used in water treatment facilities, chemical processing plants, power generation facilities and food and beverage manufacturing.

2. Temperature of Liquid Passing Through

The next thing to consider is the temperature of the liquid in your fluid handling system. If you&#;re transporting high-temperature liquids, you&#;ll need to be sure your system consists of high-temperature pipe materials. Certain types of plastic piping may not be ideal for handling high temperatures, while others may be designed to handle fluids no matter how hot they are. Metal pipe materials are typically wise choices for high-temperature liquids, although some types may become too hot to the touch.

If you are handling extremely high or low-temperature fluid &#; including cryogenic liquids&#; make sur

e your pipe consists of material intended for extreme temperatures. Otherwise, you risk damaging or corroding your pipes and contaminating the liquids inside of them. In some cases, extreme temperatures can break your piping entirely, resulting in expensive repairs, damaged product and hazardous workplace conditions. Metal pipe material is usually suitable for extremely hot liquids, although you and your employees should exercise caution when working with them. Depending on the temperature, aluminum is often used to transport cryogenic liquids.

Your piping material must support these temperatures as well as maintain them throughout the liquid transfer process. In many applications &#; including laboratories, food processing, medical facilities and plants that work with hazardous chemicals &#; precise temperatures are required for all liquids and vapors used.

Some pipe materials that can be suitable for high temperatures include carbon steel, as well as PTFE, PVDF, ATL PTFE and PP pipe linings. For extremely low temperatures, copper, some aluminum alloys and high-alloy austenitic stainless steel are least likely to become brittle and break.

3. The Pressure of the Liquid Handling Process

What is the pressure of the fluids your system is handling? If the pressure of these service fluids is very high, you will need piping material that is either high-strength, higher thickness or designed to resist high-pressure fluids. The average pressure that most manufacturing facilities&#; piping must be able to handle is around 150 pounds per square inch gauge (psig). If your facility is working with liquids of higher pressures than this, you may have to request a piping material that is specially designed to handle high-pressure fluids.

Various liquids and gases create different pressures inside of your fluid handling pipes. For example, cryogenic fluids are known for creating very high-pressure environments during the transfer process. Many external factors can impact this pressure, too, including the temperature and elevation of your piping.

Some liquids and gases that might require pressure-specific pipe materials include:

• Ammonia
• Chlorine
• Propane
• Carbon dioxide
• Nitrous oxide
• Acetylene
• Butane
• Hydrogen
• Helium
• Neon
• Nitrogen
• Concentrated oxygen

Make sure you choose a pipe material that is rated for high-pressure or low-pressure substances and conditions. If you use a high-pressure liquid or gas in a pipe that is not suited for high-pressure handling, you risk leaks, pipe bursts, flooding, fire, explosion and injury to property and personnel.

Never assume your fluid handling system is adequate for high-pressure substances. Always ask your pipe provider if your fluid handling system is designed to handle high-pressure fluids and vapors before use.

4. Service Life of the Fluid Handling System

You need reliable and durable piping, but how long do you need your fluid handling system to last? A major component of effective piping design and material selection is asking how long you expect your fluid handling system to last. If you know you&#;ll likely have to replace the system in five to 10 years due to another reason, such as relocation, you don&#;t need to invest in a very long-lasting piping material. This may also affect how much money you&#;re willing to spend on the system, which will, in turn, impact the type of material you should choose.

If, on the other hand, you expect this system to last for 10 or more years, you should invest in the most durable type of piping material.

For example, temporary worksites or processing plants that do not typically deal in fluid handling may not need as intricate or durable a system as a permanent plant that transfers fluids daily. You should also factor in how often your business will use your fluid handling system. Of course, there are some conditions &#; such as extremely corrosive chemicals, hazardous materials or fluids that need temperature regulation &#; that will require certain pipe materials, regardless of the desired service life of your system. If no special circumstances apply to your business, use this information to help you gauge the amount you should invest in your pipes, as well as that type and quality of material used.

5. Ease of Maintenance

Just like flooring, countertops and other solid surfaces, certain types of piping material are easier to clean than others. Ask yourself how often you can clean your fluid handling system. Be realistic about the frequency, as it is can become a very time-consuming task depending on the size and intricacy of your system. If you won&#;t be able to clean it very often, having a low-maintenance piping material should be a priority for your facility.

Make sure the material you choose for your fluid handling pipes is maintainable under your current circumstances. There are three main types of maintenance that all fluid handling systems should consider:

• Preventive maintenance: Preventive maintenance is necessary for all parts of your fluid handling system, and should be performed at regularly scheduled intervals based on the approximate cost of downtime, potential risks of system failure, expected time between part repairs and availability of backup equipment if necessary.
• Routine cleaning maintenance: Routine pipe cleaning maintenance will help prevent internal and external product build-up, which can corrode your system and contaminate transferred fluids.
• Emergency maintenance: Even with attentive preventive maintenance and highly durable products, you will likely require emergency or special repairs at least once in your fluid handling system&#;s life. Address concerns as they arise to reduce emergency maintenance visits.

During each of these maintenance scenarios, your pipes must be accessible. Always have a professional technician install your fluid handling system. Professional system technicians are trained to consider your system as a whole, rather than focus on singular parts or pieces of equipment. They will make sure your pipes are large enough for your space and business needs, but not oversized. Oversized pipe systems result in unnecessary maintenance and take up a lot of otherwise usable space.

If your business does not have the time, available workforce or budget for regular and frequent maintenance, choosing a low-maintenance pipe material should be your top priority.

6. Exposure to External Elements

External elements exist indoors and outdoors. Indoors, external corrosion and other issues can arise from corrosive fumes in the air, humid conditions and mold. Outside poses several threats for external corrosion and damage, including the salt in seawater, inclement weather, microorganisms, plant overgrowth and more.

If any part of your fluid handling system is exposed outdoors, you need piping material that can withstand environmental elements. External elements that could lead to the deterioration or corrosion of your fluid handling piping include UV light, corrosive soil, precipitation and other atmospheric conditions.

Examples of external elements to be cautious of include the following:

• Corrosive fumes or vapors in the air from other work stations or materials
• Extreme or fluctuating temperatures, both indoors and outdoors
• Mold and mildew growth
• Salt from seawater
• Inclement weather, including rainfall, snow, lightning and hail
• Micro- and non-microorganisms that can burrow or corrode
• Plant, root and moss growth on outdoor piping
• Exposure to UV rays from the sun
• Corrosive and damp soil

7. Valve and Fitting Sizes

Certain piping materials will only have a few valve and fitting sizes to choose from, so you may need to eliminate some options based on this factor. Some of the valve and fitting types you can choose from include:

The types of valve and fittings you choose will depend upon the types of connections you&#;ll need to make from pipe to pipe, as well as to connect the pipes to other features of the fluid handling system.

8. The Cost of the Material

Cost is a significant factor in any business decision. As you consider different pipe materials, keep in mind the cost of:

• The initial investment in all required parts, including the pipes, valves and pipe fittings
• Whether your chosen material is readily available or needs to be imported
• Routine and emergency maintenance appointments
• Pipe lining materials, if applicable

As with any expense, always consider the return on investment when comparing different costs. For example, if a pipe material is best suited for your industry due to its thermal regulation and durability, but it is more expensive, keep in mind the potential loss you might face if choosing a cheaper, less viable option. For many industries, not investing in the right pipe materials can lead to much more costly issues down the road. Always keep your industry&#;s non-negotiable needs in mind when examining costs.

Types of Piping Material Available

Now that you know what factors will affect the piping material you should choose, let&#;s talk about six of the most popular piping materials, as well as the conditions that each of them would work best for.

1. Cast Iron

Cast iron was one of the earliest materials used for piping, and it&#;s most commonly found in underground applications. Piping that carries materials like water, gas and sewage underground must be incredibly durable, pressure-resistant and long-lasting since these pipes must last for several decades without having to be replaced. Soil pipes are also commonly made using cast iron due to its excellent corrosion-resisting properties. Cast iron pipes are more popular in apartment buildings rather than private dwellings due to its fire resistance and noise-dampening qualities.

If you need underground piping at your facility that will last as long as possible, cast iron may be the best material for your fluid handling system.

2. Steel and Steel Alloys

Carbon steel pipes and steel alloys are created using different manufacturing methods to provide multiple piping material options all made from steel. Steel is a desirable piping material because of its thickness and ability to contain highly pressurized fluids. Two common types of steel piping materials for manufacturing facilities are:

• Carbon steel pipes: Carbon steel pipes are available in several different grades depending on the amount of carbon the pipe contains. This type of steel piping is more subject to corrosion than other varieties, making it ideal for indoor systems transporting non-corrosive materials.
• Galvanized steel: The second option for steel piping is galvanized steel, which is better equipped to handle corrosive fluids, as well as high-temperature materials. However, it is not as ideal for high-pressure substances, as it is rated only for pressures of up to 250 psi.

3. Nonferrous

The category of nonferrous pipe materials refers to any piping material that is a metal other than steel. Popular options for nonferrous metals include:

• Brass: Brass piping is popular for the transportation of corrosive materials, and the most common type is red brass.
• Aluminum: Several varieties of aluminum piping exist based on the type and amount of alloy added to the aluminum. The level of aluminum pipe you choose will be dependent on whether you&#;re transporting highly corrosive or high-pressure materials.
• Copper: Copper piping is standard for both commercial and residential water applications, such as plumbing and other waterlines. You can choose between several types of copper piping based on thickness.
• Copper-nickel: Copper-nickel piping is most commonly used in marine and offshore applications for its excellent ability to transport seawater effectively and with minimal corrosion. As a durable pipe material option, copper-nickel can also handle materials of high temperatures.

4. Concrete

The most typical application for concrete pipes is in large-scale engineering projects such as water resource management and stormwater control. Depending on the diameter of the pipe, concrete pipes are typically reinforced with another layer or durable wire to allow it to maintain its strength underground. Concrete pipes used for civil purposes must pass several destructive tests to ensure they can withstand any potentially disastrous occurrences.

These pipes must also be regularly maintained, as dirt and debris can easily stick to the insides of concrete pipes and cause a backup. Depending on the type of material the pipes are carrying, a sewage or stormwater backup could be very hazardous to the surrounding areas. Most manufacturing facilities would not benefit from using concrete piping for their fluid handling systems.

5. Plastic

Plastic pipes are an option you may seriously consider for your facility&#;s fluid handling system. Options for plastic pipes include:

• PVC: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes are the most widely used type of plastic piping, ideal for both structural and electrical applications.
• Polypropylene: Polypropylene pipes are most effective and appropriate for transporting chemical waste and other highly corrosive materials.
• Polyethylene: Polyethylene is a flexible but strong material that is best for piping in irrigation, sprinkler and other water-related applications.
• PEX: PEX pipes are essentially polyethylene pipes that have been processed to be both stronger and more resistant to hot and cold temperature changes. This material is becoming a significant alternative to traditional copper pipes.
• ABS: You&#;ll find ABS pipes in sewer, waste, drain and vent applications.

6. Lined Pipe

We saved the best type of pipe for most industrial and manufacturing systems for last &#; lined pipe and fittings are recommended for fluid handling systems in most facilities. Plastic-lined steel pipe is essentially the &#;best of both worlds,&#; combining the corrosion-resisting qualities of plastic with the durability of metal materials. You can choose which type of plastic material you want your steel pipes to be lined with. Popular choices for plastic-lined pipe and fittings include:

• Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF): When you&#;re transporting high-strength acids and other corrosive liquids, opting for PVDF-lined pipe and fittings is a durable choice. These pipes are designed to withstand the corrosive properties of fluids involved with chemical processing and electronics manufacturing.
• Fluoropolymer (PTFE): PTFE-lined pipe and fittings are known for their ability to transport fluids at high temperatures and pressures. Its strength and corrosion-resistance make it a popular piping material for many industrial applications.
• Polypropylene (PP): PP-lined pipe is the best choice for handling basic fluids with low chemical makeup and low to no corrosive qualities. It&#;s the most economical option for small-scale operations and transporting liquids at an average temperature.

Benefits of Adding Thermoplastic-Lined Pipe to Your Operation

For most standard manufacturing facilities and other industrial applications, there are several benefits of plastic-lined pipe and fittings. Some of the most notable advantages of this type of pipe material include:

If you want to learn more, please visit our website pipes and fittings companies.

• Affordability: By combining the excellent resistance properties of plastic lining to the low cost of steel and other metallic materials, thermoplastic-lined pipe and fittings are one of the most affordable piping options for many manufacturing facilities.
• Customization: By adjusting the amount of each material used, you can customize the properties of your lined pipe while still benefiting from each material&#;s most desirable characteristics.
• Safety: Plastic-lined pipes lead to improved product quality thanks to the lack of contamination from the liquid touching metallic materials. They are also less likely to result in the fouling of materials and the costly downtime that comes along with the cleanup and repair process.
• Lower maintenance: Thermoplastic-lined pipe is resistant to corrosion and chemicals, and it also does not require frequent maintenance or cleaning.
• Simple installation: When installation technicians have been trained properly, lined pipe installation is much simpler, faster and affordable than installing metal pipes.

Which Pipe Material Is Best for Fluid Handling Operations?

To find the best pipe material for fluid handling operations, you must consider several factors about your facility and your fluid handling system. Every manufacturing facility is unique and requires pipe material and fittings for differing applications. When it comes time for you to replace your fluid handling system, be sure to consider each choice carefully and not just do what everyone else may be doing. Just because metal pipe liners work for one facility, for example, does not mean they are also the best choice for yours.

That being said, lined pipe material is often the best solution for most average-sized manufacturing facilities, as it combines the best features of the two most popular small-scale choices &#; plastic and metal.

Get Custom Pipe and Fittings From SEMCOR

Once you&#;ve decided which pipe material and fittings might be best for your operation, contact the experts at SEMCOR to start the process of getting them into your building or buildings. We offer the best products for custom fluid handling, including pipe and fittings, valves, hoses and other custom solutions. Plus, all our products are designed with durability in mind, minimizing the need for future maintenance or an early replacement. We can also provide assistance in choosing the right materials based on your facility&#;s system and needs.

SEMCOR offers a wide range of fluid handling solutions and customizations, including:

• Pipe and pipe fitting fabrications: SEMCOR specializes in rigid piping designed to withstand high-temperature and corrosive environments. We also provide high-quality and standard plastic pipe linings and fittings, including PTFE, ATL PTFE, PVDF and PP lining. If you require custom lining and fabrications, SEMCOR is here to help.
• Hose and valve modifications: SEMCOR offers hoses made of PTFE, metal, rubber and plastic. We also provide PTFE hose crimp fittings, rubber hose clamping fittings and metal hose welding fittings, so each product can be modified to meet your exact specifications. Our valves, actuators and controls come from top industry suppliers and are made of strong, corrosion-resistant plastics so they can withstand the most abrasive fluid transfer. Our design and fabrication options also allow us to create customized valves, actuators and control solutions for any industrial application.
• Custom expansion joints: SEMCOR provides customizable metal and rubber expansion joints from top industry brands like Resistoflex and Hose Master.

Since , SEMCOR has remained committed to answering your questions and delivering nothing but top quality fabrications for your business. To learn more about SEMCOR fluid handling products and services, or to request a quote, reach out to us online or at (314) 300-.

Both our service and sales teams are available 24/7 to assist you and answer any questions you may have. Get in touch with us today, or keep browsing our site to learn more about our fluid handling solutions, including our high-quality lined pipe and fittings.

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.

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.

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