Pipe Fittings
A fitting is used in pipe systems to connect straight pipe or tubing sections, adapt to different sizes or shapes and for other purposes, such as regulating {or measuring) fluid flow. "Plumbing" is generally used to describe the conveyance of water, gas, or liquid waste in domestic or commercial environments; "piping" is often used to describe the high-performance (high-pressure, high-flow, high-temperature or hazardous-material) conveyance of fluids in specialized applications. "Tubing" is sometimes used for lighter-weight piping, especially those flexible enough to be supplied in coiled form.
The photos of our Pipe Fittings
The bodies of fittings for pipe and tubing are most often the same base material as the pipe or tubing connected: copper, steel, PVC, chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) or ABS. Any material permitted by the plumbing, health, or building code (as applicable) may be used, but it must be compatible with the other materials in the system, the fluids being transported and the temperature and pressure inside (and outside) the system. Brass or bronze fittings are common in copper piping and plumbing systems. Fire hazards, earthquake resistance and other factors also influence the choice of fitting materials.
Elbow
An elbow is installed between two lengths of pipe (or tubing) to allow a change of direction, usually a 90° or 45° angle; 22.5° elbows are also available. The ends may be machined for butt welding, threaded (usually female) or socketed. When the ends differ in size, it is known as a reducing (or reducer) elbow.
Elbows are categorized by design. The radius of a long-radius (LR) elbow is 1.5 times the pipe diameter. In a short-radius (SR) elbow, the radius equals the pipe diameter. Ninety-, 60- and 45-degree elbows are also available.
A 90-degree elbow, also known as a "90 bend", "90 ell" or "quarter bend", attaches readily to plastic, copper, cast iron, steel and lead and attaches to rubber with stainless-steel clamps. Available materials include silicone, rubber compounds, galvanized steel and nylon. It is primarily used to connect hoses to valves, water pumps and deck drains. A 45-degree elbow, also known as a "45 bend" or "45 ell", is commonly used in water-supply facilities, food, chemical and electronic industrial pipeline networks, air-conditioning pipelines, agriculture and garden production and solar-energy facility piping.
Most elbows are available in short- or long-radius versions. Short-radius elbows have a center-to-end distance equal to the Nominal Pipe Size (NPS) in inches, and long-radius elbows are 1.5 times the NPS in inches. Short elbows, widely available, are typically used in pressurized systems.