Pipe Fittings are a Piping component that helps in changing the direction of the flow, such as elbows and tees. Changes the size of the pipe, such as reducers, and reducing tees. Connect different components such as couplings and stop the flows such as Caps.
There are different types of pipe fitting used in piping. Pipe Fittings used in piping work are listed below.
You can see the chart above that lists the most widely used standard pipe fittings. These standard fittings are either forging or wrought. Only seamless pipes are used to produce wrought fittings. Large diameter welded fittings are manufactured from the plate.
These Fittings are available in different types of end connections.
Pipe Fittings End Connection TypeThe Elbow is used more than any other pipe fittings. It provides flexibility to change the pipe direction. Elbow is mainly available in two standard types 90° and 45°. However, it Can be cut to any other degree. Elbows are available in two radius types, Short radius (1D) and Long Radius (1.5D).
Pipe FIttings Quiz – Test yourself, Take This Quiz
90 Degree elbow is installed between the pipe to change the direction of the pipe by 90 Degree. Available in long and short radius form.
45 Degree elbow is installed between the pipe to change the direction of the pipe by 45 Degree.
In a long radius elbow, the centreline radius is 1.5 times the nominal size of the pipe or you can say 1.5 times the diameter of the pipe. Normally long radius elbows are used in piping as pressure loss is less as compared to short radius elbows. It required more space than a short radius elbow.
In a short radius elbow, the centreline radius is the same as the nominal size of the pipe, or you can say one times the diameter of the pipe. Short radius elbows are used under limited space applications. However, it has a high-pressure drop due to a sudden change in the direction of flow.
The 90 reducing elbows is designed to change direction and reduce the pipe size within a piping system. The reducing elbow eliminates one pipe fitting and reduces the welding by more than one-third. Also, the gradual reduction in diameter throughout the arc of the reducing elbow provides lower resistance to flow and reduces the effect of stream turbulence and potential internal erosion. These features prevent sizeable pressure drops in the line.
Long radius pipeline bends are used in fluid transportation lines which require pigging. Due to their long radius and smooth change of direction, the pipe bend has very less pressure drop, and a smooth flow of fluid & pig is possible. 3D and 5D Pipe bends are commonly available. Here, D is the pipe size.
Miter bends are not standard pipe fittings they are fabricated from pipes. Usually, they are preferred for sizes 10” & above because large size elbow is expensive. The use of miter bend is restricted to the low-pressure water line. Miter bend can be fabricated in 2, 3, & 5 pieces.
Returning elbows are used to make a 180º change in direction. Available in short & long patterns. Returns are used in the heating coil, heat exchanger, tank vent, etc.
A pipe tee is used for distributing or collecting the fluid from the run pipe. It is a short piece of pipe with a 90-degree branch at the center. Two types of Tee are used in piping: Equal / Straight Tee and Reducing / Unequal Tee.
In straight tee, the diameter of the branch is the same as the diameter of the Run (Header) Pipe.
In reducing tee, the diameter of the branch size is smaller than the diameter of the Run (Header) Pipe
A barred tee, also known as a scrapper tee, is used in pigged pipelines. The tee branch has a restriction bar welded internally to prevent the pig or scrapper from entering the branch. The bars are welded in the branch in a way that it will allow restriction-free passage of the pig from the run pipe.
It is a type of Tee that has a branch at a 45° angle or an angle other than 90°. Wye tee allows one pipe to be joined to another at a 45° angle. This type of tee reduces friction and turbulence that could hamper the flow. Wye tee is also known as a lateral.
Cross is also known as four-way pipe fitting. A cross has one inlet and three outlets (or vice versa). Generally, crosses are not used in process piping to transport fluid. But forged crosses are common in the firewater sprinkler line.
A pipe reducer changes the size of the pipe. There are two types of reducers used in piping Concentric & Eccentric.
In a Concentric reducer, also known as a conical reducer, the center of both ends is on the same axis. It maintains the centerline elevation of the pipeline. When the center lines of the larger and smaller pipe are to be maintained the same, concentric reducers are used.
In the Eccentric reducer, the center of both ends is on a different axis, as shown in the image. It maintains the BOP (bottom of pipe) elevation of the pipeline. When one of the outside surfaces of the pipeline is to be maintained the same, eccentric reducers are required.
Offset = ( Larger ID – Smaller ID) / 2
The swage is like reducers but small in size and used to connect pipes to smaller screwed or socket welded pipes. Like reducers, they are also available in concentric & eccentric types. Swages are available in different end types. Such as both plain ends or one plain and one threaded end.
The cap covers the end of a pipe. Pipe caps are used at the dead end of the piping system. It is also used in piping headers for future connections.
Stub ends are used with a lap joint flange. In this type of flange, the stub is butt welded to the pipe, whereas the flange is freely moved over the stub end. It is basically a flange part but covered under ASME B16.9, which is why it is considered pipe fittings.
Unions are used as an alternative to flanges connection in low-pressure small bore piping where the dismantling of the pipe is required more often. Unions can be threaded ends, or socket weld ends. There are three pieces in a union, a nut, a female end, and a male end. When the female and male ends are joined, the nuts provide the necessary pressure to seal the joint.
There are three types of coupling available;
Full Coupling is used for connecting small bore pipes. It is used to connect pipe to pipe or pipe to swage or nipple. It can be threaded or socket ends types.
Half Coupling is used for small bore branching from a vessel or large pipe. It can be threaded or socket type. It has a socket or thread end on only one side.
Reducing coupling is used to connect two different sizes of pipe. It is like a concentric reducer that maintains a centerline of the pipe but is small in size.
The nipple is a short pipe stub with a male pipe thread at each end or at one end. It is used for connecting two other fittings. Nipples are used for connecting pipes, hoses, and valves. Pipe nipples are used in low-pressure piping.
Socket weld and Threaded Pipe Fittings are forged products and classified based on their pressure-temperature rating. They are available from NPS 1/8” to 4”. These fittings are available in four pressure-temperature rating classes.
These fittings are used for small bore and low-pressure piping.
Pipe Fittings dimensions of the fittings must meet the requirements of the standard,
Special Thanks to Sophie Shi & Mr. Tom for providing Images. You can visit their website for further product inquiries.
Sophie Shi – www.lianfachina.com
Mr. Tom – http://sinopipefittings.com
Are You Piping Components Master?
If you have any questions on types of pipe elbow. We will give the professional answers to your questions.
With high quality products and considerate service, we will work together with you to enhance your business and improve the efficiency. Please don't hesitate to contact us to get more details of contact us.