Sofia Martinez
Compression fittings are used to connect metal or plastic pipes and tubing. They are commonly used in plumbing, gas installations, and hydraulic equipment. They are also used in medical devices, chromatography, bomb detection instruments, and inkjet printing. Compression fittings are versatile and can be used with a variety of tubing types, including PVC, PEX, and PE. The type of tubing used depends on the specific requirements of the application, such as rigidity, durability, flexibility, and pressure resistance. It is important to match the tubing diameter with the fitting size to ensure a secure and leak-free connection. Proper preparation, cutting, alignment, and testing are crucial for a successful installation.
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What You'll Learn
Compression fitting types: brass, steel, or plastic inserts
Compression fittings are used in plumbing systems to join pipes and tubing. They are also used in gas installations and hydraulic equipment. These fittings typically consist of three pieces and are usually made from brass, steel, or plastic. Brass compression fittings, for example, are often used in plumbing projects and come in the form of a brass ring, or "olive", that is compressed between a nut and the fitting when the nut is tightened. Steel compression fittings are also available and are known to be stronger than plastic pipes. Plastic compression fittings are also available and are often used for DIY projects as they do not require soldering or heat to apply.
Brass compression fittings are typically used to join copper or plastic pipes and tubing. The process of joining pipes with brass fittings involves screwing the fitting's tapered insert onto the end of one length of pipe, sliding the brass ring over the first length of pipe, and then tightening the nut over the threaded head of the fitting with a spanner. This compresses the brass ring between the nut and the fitting, creating a tight grip on the pipe.
Steel compression fittings are also commonly used, especially for joining stronger materials like copper or steel pipes. Similar to brass fittings, steel fittings involve screwing a tapered insert onto the end of one pipe, followed by tightening a nut with a spanner to secure the connection. Steel fittings provide a strong and secure joint, making them suitable for applications that require high strength and durability.
Plastic compression fittings, on the other hand, are often used for joining plastic pipes and tubing in DIY projects. Plastic fittings usually come with plastic inserts that reinforce the pipes and help maintain their circular shape, making the connection easier. Similar to brass and steel fittings, plastic fittings also involve tightening a nut to compress the fitting onto the pipe. Plastic fittings are known for their ease of use and do not require specialised tools or techniques such as soldering or applying heat.
Compression fittings come in various types, including elbow joints, tee fittings, couplers, and union fittings. Elbow joints are angular fittings that change the direction of pipes, commonly by 45 or 90 degrees. Tee fittings have a T shape with two inputs or outputs opposite each other and a third input or output at a 90-degree angle. Couplers are designed to create permanent joints, while union fittings offer flexibility and can be repositioned or moved when needed.
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Plastic tubing types: PVC, PEX, and PE
Compression fittings are widely used to connect plastic tubing and pipes in plumbing systems. They are typically made of plastic or brass and are designed to be permanent or flexible and repositionable.
When choosing plastic tubing, it is essential to consider its chemical compatibility, temperature rating, and pressure rating. Some common types of plastic tubing include PVC, PEX, and PE.
PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is a widely used plastic tubing material. It is known for its durability and ability to withstand high temperatures. PVC tubing is often used in plumbing applications, such as water pipes and drainage systems. It is also commonly used in flexible tubing for pool and spa systems.
PEX tubing, or cross-linked polyethylene, is a popular choice for plumbing systems due to its strength and flexibility. It is commonly used for hot and cold water applications, including household plumbing and hydronic water heating systems. PEX tubing typically comes in larger diameters, ranging from 1/2" to 1 1/2". However, it is important to note that PEX is vulnerable to chlorine-induced degradation, which can lead to micro-cracks and pipe failure over time.
PE tubing, or polyethylene, is another type of plastic tubing used in various applications. It includes subtypes like PE-RT (Polyethylene Raised Temperature), which is commonly used for hot and cold water applications, and LLDPE (Linear Low-Density Polyethylene). PE-RT has gained popularity in the plumbing market due to its ability to withstand higher temperatures.
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Cutting and deburring: use a sharp pipe cutter for clean cuts
Compression fittings are used to connect plastic tubing and create plumbing systems. They are also used in gas installations and hydraulic equipment. Compression fittings are versatile and can be used with both metal and hard plastic tubing. They are particularly useful for their high-temperature resistance and compatibility with aggressive fluids.
When working with plastic tubing, it is important to use the correct tools for cutting and deburring to ensure a smooth, clean, and watertight finish. The first step is to choose the appropriate cutting tool based on the diameter of the pipe and the number of cuts you need to make. For small pipes with a diameter of 1 inch or less, scissor-type plastic cutters are effective but require more manual effort. Ratchet-style cutters are more accurate and can cut larger pipes up to 1.5 inches in diameter. For larger pipes or multiple cuts, a power miter saw is the best option.
To ensure a straight cut, mark the cutting line on the pipe with a pencil before beginning to cut. If using a hacksaw or handsaw, secure the pipe in a vise or clamp to hold it steady and use steady, even strokes. Hacksaws give you more control and can make both straight and angled cuts, but they may leave rough edges that require deburring. Cable saws are another option for cutting pipes in tight spaces, but they may also leave rough edges.
After cutting, the deburring process is crucial to remove any leftover burrs or debris that could interfere with creating a watertight seal. It also ensures worker safety by smoothing over sharp edges. You can use a deburring tool, utility knife, or fine-grit sandpaper to smooth both the inner and outer edges of the pipe. Always wear safety goggles and gloves to protect yourself during the deburring process.
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Elbow joints: angular fittings for changing pipe direction
Compression fittings are used to connect lengths of copper or plastic tubing and pipework. They are commonly used to join pipes at different angles, such as showerheads connected to shower units. These fittings are known as elbow joints.
Elbow joints are angular fittings that change the direction of a pipe, usually by 45 or 90 degrees. They can also be used to create non-standard angles, with adjustable PVC elbows allowing for angles between 90 and 270 degrees. This type of fitting is perfect for projects requiring mechanical adjustment after construction, as the angles can be modified even after the build is complete.
Elbow joints are commonly used in plumbing systems to change the direction, elevation, or pipe diameter, and to lead branch pipes from the main pipe. They are also used in gas installations and hydraulic equipment. In plumbing, the use of elbow joints helps to reduce flow resistance and solid deposits when changing the direction of flow. This is achieved by using a shallow curve with a large radius of curvature, often employing two 45-degree elbows instead of one 90-degree elbow to minimise flow disruption.
The use of compression fittings, including elbow joints, offers several advantages. They are straightforward to apply and remove, making them suitable for confined spaces where soldering would be challenging or risky. Compression fittings also offer high-temperature and pressure capabilities, corrosion resistance, and ease of connection. They are versatile, connecting both metal and hard plastic tubing.
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Tee fittings: T-shaped with two inputs and an output at a 90-degree angle
Compression fittings are used to connect plastic tubing and pipework in plumbing systems. They are also used for gas installations and hydraulic equipment. They are straightforward to apply and remove and are a good choice for pipes laid in confined spaces.
Tee fittings are a type of compression fitting. They are T-shaped with two inputs and an output at a 90-degree angle. They are used to create a simple join between two lengths of pipe or tube. They are widely used in plumbing and piping systems, often to connect three pipes at right angles to one another.
Tee fittings are also used to create branch lines in HVAC systems, water distribution systems, and industrial piping systems. In water distribution applications, they are often referred to as T fittings for water lines. The T-shape allows each branch to receive an equal share of the process material being transferred, allowing for an even distribution of flow in all three directions.
Tee fittings are available in a variety of materials, including carbon steel, iron, aluminium, plastic, stainless steel, copper, brass, and rubber. They can also be classified according to the size of the pipe thread they will connect with. For example, a 1/2" pipe tee will connect to a 1/2" male NPT thread.
There are several types of tee fittings, including straight tee, female and male branch tee, male and female-run tee, reducing tee, and wye tee. A reducing tee has a T shape with two ends of the same size and one end that is slightly smaller. Wye tee fittings have two branches of pipe at 45-degree angles, and both branches are symmetrical.
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Frequently asked questions
Compression fittings are used to connect metal or plastic pipes and tubing. They are commonly used in plumbing and gas installations and are straightforward to apply and remove.
Common types of plastic tubing used with compression fittings include PVC (polyvinyl chloride), PEX (cross-linked polyethylene), and PE (polyethylene). PVC is known for its rigidity and durability, PEX is flexible and resistant to freezing, and PE is lightweight and flexible.
Compression fittings are versatile and can be used with a range of materials, including metal and hard plastic tubing. They are also suitable for high-temperature and pressure applications and are resistant to corrosion.
First, cut the tubing and remove any burrs or rough edges with a deburring tool or utility knife. Then, select the correct tubing and place the nut and ferrule in the proper position. Finally, tighten the nut carefully.
