Types of Pipe Fittings Used in Piping

What are pipe fittings?

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.

• Elbow
• Tee
• Reducer
• Union
• Coupling
• Adapters
• Olet (Weldolet, Sockolet, Elbowlet, Thredolet, Nipolet, Letrolet, Swepolet)
• Valve
• Cross
• Cap
• Swage Nipple
• Plug
• Bush
• Expansion Joint
• Steam Traps
• Long Radius Bend
• Flanges

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 Elbow

The Elbow is used more than any Other Pipe Fittings. It provides flexibility to change the pipe direction. Steel 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).

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.

Pipe Tee

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 Tee and Reducing Tee.