A Comprehensive Guide to PVC Pipe Fittings

02 Jul.,2024

 

A Comprehensive Guide to PVC Pipe Fittings

 

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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.

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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.

 

What Type of Pipe Should I Use for My Air Compressor?

When it comes to what kind of pipe to use for air compressor lines, one of the most important things to understand is that not all of your options are created equally. Much of your decision will be made based on the specific type of project you're working on, along with the precise goals you're trying to achieve with your air compressor.

1. PVC Pipe

The use of PVC pipe for air compressor lines is common, but is ultimately NOT RECOMMENDED for use in this context. Air compressor PVC pipe is often used because it is readily available, inexpensive, and easy to install. However, as with many plastics, PVC air line material gets brittle over time and can crack, break, or even shatter. The presence of air compressor oils in the line and heat from the compressed air accelerates the degradation of PVC for air lines. These failures, combined with air under pressure, are potentially fatal due to the airborne, razor-sharp shrapnel. It is also an OSHA violation to use PVC for compressed air distribution, which means you could incur a hefty fine. In other words, the answer to the question, "Can you use PVC for air lines?" is a resounding, "No."

2. Galvanized Pipe

Galvanized piping is commonly used for water distribution and for general plumbing. Galvanized coating resists moisture in compressed air, but pieces of the coating will flake off and end up in your tools. The debris will cause severe damage to cylinders, pneumatic tools, and other components. Even more importantly, when exiting a blow gun, little flakes can cause serious bodily harm. As was true with PVC pipe for compressed air and related uses, galvanized piping is NOT RECOMMENDED for compressed air systems.

3. Black Pipe

Black pipe is the most commonly used pipe RECOMMENDED for compressed air systems. It is readily available, negating one of the major benefits that people think that PVC air line options have to offer. Not only that, but it is strong and durable and most people are familiar with how to install it. With all the advantages black pipe provides, however, it will produce rust contamination that damages pneumatic tooling. The pipe is uncoated, and the presence of moisture will initiate rusting, which will increase over time. The presence of moisture can be controlled with an after cooler and/or dryer, but it can never be completely eliminated. Furthermore, the installation of black pipe systems requires a significant amount of time. Plan carefully, changes to the system will require de-pressurizing the system while new drops or additional loops are added. So can you use black pipe in this context? Yes. Is it the absolute best option? Not necessarily.

4. Copper Pipe

Copper pipe is commonly RECOMMENDED for clean air. It works very well, although some have been known to balk at the fact that it is expensive. Copper pipe makes for an aesthetically pleasing installation, but the soldering of joints is time-consuming and requires skill. It's a high quality solution, but it won't necessarily be a quick or inexpensive one. You can rest easy knowing that since the combination of copper and water does not create any corrosion or rusting, the air delivered to the pneumatic tools is clean and free of particulates.

5. Stainless Steel

The RECOMMENDED use of stainless steel to minimize corrosion has a long and successful history. When most people think about using PVC pipe for air compressor lines, the benefits they typically call to mind are ones that are actually offered by stainless steel. It also combines all the strength and durability benefits of black pipe, but without the problem of rusting. As with black pipe, most people are familiar with how to install the fittings and pipe, but the installation is a lengthy process. Stainless steel pipe threads also have a tendency to gall and freeze up, which can cause great difficulty during disassembly, and for general maintenance. For this reason, Victaulic fittings have successfully been used. Victaulic fittings are installed with a rubber seal and bolted clamp. Victaulic fittings are the preferred fittings for larger pipes, whether black or stainless steel, due to their lighter weight.

6. Aluminum Pipe

The latest technology is push-to-connect aluminum piping systems for compressed air lines (such as Parker Transair). Aluminum is a light-weight option, making it easy to handle compared to schedule 40 or 80 pipe, and is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for clean air applications. It is non-corrosive, and remains leak free, unlike black pipe systems. Considering the high cost of producing compressed air, reducing compressed air consumption by eliminating leaks over the life of the system is a major benefit of using Parker Transair. Skilled labor is not required to install TransAir.

Parker cites the following benefits of its Transair piping:

  • Fast installation. There is no welding, soldering or other time-consuming methods of attachment. All you must do is push the pipe into a fitting until it bottoms out.
  • Light-weight. The product is very easy to handle.
  • Non-corrosive. It provides clean air for years to come, prolonging the working life of components in the system.
  • Very adaptable. It is easy and fast to change (reroute) or add new components and drops, even under pressure.
  • The overall higher up-front cost of materials (compared to black pipe) may discourage some from exploring this option, but the difference in cost of material is recovered by savings on labor during (typical) installation (parts are no good when they&#;re sitting in a pile on the floor).
  • Most likely the lowest cost of ownership compared to the other types of piping, especially if changes to the system configuration are required.

In the end, there are many choices when it comes to piping for your compressed air system. Do not use PVC or galvanized pipe. If anyone ever asks, "Can I use PVC for air compressor lines?" be sure to tell them, "No."

If you can help it, it&#;s always best to steer clear of black pipe as well &#; you will save time, money, and headaches by avoiding these options.

Instead, you should choose among these suitable options &#; copper piping, stainless steel piping and aluminum piping. Based on the requirements of your application, the skills of your staff, and time constraints, the best solution will quickly become clear. If you think that additions or changes to your system(s) are likely, go with a push-to-connect aluminum piping system such as Transair.

This article was originally published on August 28, , and was last updated on June 6, .

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