Everything About High-Pressure Pipe Fittings

Figure 1: High-pressure hose attached to a metal pipe using suitable fittings

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High-pressure fittings are specialized components that maintain integrity and withstand extreme pressure conditions. They ensure leak-free connections and reliable performance when handling fluids or gasses under high pressure. This article explores high-pressure pipe fittings' features, types, and applications.

What are high-pressure pipe fittings?

High-pressure pipe fittings are plumbing fittings used to make pipe connections. Unlike standard fittings, they can handle compressed gasses or liquids at high pressures. They are engineered with a safety factor, which is an additional margin of safety above the expected operating pressure.

Pressure range in pipe fittings

• Low to medium-high pressure: Pressure ratings range from approximately 69 bar (1,000 PSI) to 414 bar (6,000 PSI), suitable for hydraulic systems, pneumatic systems, and certain industrial applications.
• High pressure: Designed for even higher pressures, with ratings from approximately 414 bar (6,000 PSI) to 690 bar (10,000 PSI), commonly used in high-pressure hydraulic systems, oil and gas industry applications, and specialized industrial processes.
• Ultra-high pressure: Engineered to handle extremely high pressures, with ratings above 690 bar (10,000 PSI) up to approximately bar ( PSI), utilized in industries such as oil and gas exploration, water jet cutting, and high-pressure testing applications.

High-pressure pipe fitting features

High-pressure fittings have higher pressure ratings than normal, indicating maximum working pressure without failure. Some of the features of these fittings are listed below:

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• Robust construction: High-pressure fittings are built with heavy-duty materials and sturdy construction to withstand the pressure exerted by pressurized fluids or gasses.
• Enhanced sealing capability: High-pressure fittings employ advanced sealing mechanisms to prevent leakage under extreme pressures. They may incorporate double ferrule compression fittings, o-rings, gaskets, or metal-to-metal seals.
• Material selection: Common materials used to manufacture high-pressure pipe fittings include stainless steel, nickel-base alloy steel, copper-nickel alloy steel, titanium alloy, carbon steel, low-temperature steel, alloy steel, and high-yield steel, chosen for their strength, corrosion resistance, and durability.
• Threading design: High-pressure fittings often feature tapered threads, such as NPT (National Pipe Taper) or BSPT (British Standard Pipe Taper) threads. Tapered threads provide a more secure seal as the tightening action compresses the threads, creating a tight fit.
• Reinforced connections: High-pressure fittings may feature additional reinforcement, such as thicker walls or extended nuts, to provide added support and strength.
• Compliance with standards: High-pressure fittings adhere to specific industry standards and regulations like ASME B16.11, ASME B31.3, ISO 228-1, and ASTM A105.
  • ASME B16.11: Covers the requirements for forged steel fittings, socket-welding, and threaded
  • ASME B31.3: Provides guidelines for the design, construction, and inspection of piping systems, including high-pressure applications
  • ISO 228-1: Specifies the requirements for parallel internal and external pipe threads
  • ASTM A105: Covers carbon steel forgings for piping applications
• Precision machining: High-pressure fittings undergo precise machining processes to ensure accurate dimensions and tight tolerances. This guarantees a secure and leak-free connection when joining the fittings with pipes or other components.
• Testing and certification: High-pressure fittings typically undergo rigorous testing to ensure their performance and reliability. These tests may include hydrostatic pressure testing, leak testing, fatigue testing, and material analysis. Fittings that meet specific industry standards and pass these tests are usually certified for high-pressure applications.

High-pressure pipe fitting types

Table 1 shows the various high-pressure fittings for various system requirements and industry applications. Read our articles on compression fittings and welded fittings for more information on each type.

Table 1: High-pressure pipe fitting types

Type of high-pressure pipe fitting Description Application High-pressure compression fittings Utilize nut and ferrule system for secure, leak-free connections Hydraulic systems, pneumatic systems, high-pressure gas High-pressure cone and thread fittings Feature male cone and female thread for a metal-to-metal seal High-pressure fluid control, oil, and gas, chemical processing, high-pressure testing High-pressure flange fittings Consist of flanged ends bolted together with a gasket for strong, leak-resistant connections Oil and gas, petrochemical, power generation, high-pressure fluid transfer, and containment High-pressure welded fittings Permanently joined to pipes through welding for robust, leak-free connections High-pressure pipelines, process piping, critical systems High-pressure threaded Fittings Have male or female threads for easy installation and disassembly Hydraulic systems, pneumatic systems, high-pressure gas systems

FAQ

What are the safety precautions for handling high-pressure pipe fittings?

Ensure proper installation, regular inspection, and adherence to safety guidelines to prevent accidents and maintain system integrity.

The company is the world’s best 45°Metric Female One Piece Hose Fittings supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

July 14,

How to Identify the Correct Hydraulic Hose Fittings

When you have a worn hydraulic hose fitting, you'll have to identify exactly which type you have so you know what to order from your supplier. If you've written all these connectors down somewhere, you'll be ahead of the game, and won't have any difficulty. If you aren't really sure what type of connector you need, you'll just have to determine it the old-fashioned way, and that involves some observation and some measuring.

Why are There so Many Different Types of Hydraulic Fittings?

While there might be hundreds if not thousands of hydraulic fittings and connectors, they all boil down to three basic types. These three types are either metal seal, soft seal, or tapered thread connectors. No matter which of these types of fittings yours belongs to, it will be required to satisfy two conditions: it must seal and it must hold. In some cases, the same mechanism can fulfill both functions, and in other cases, two different parts of the same mechanism will handle the necessary functions. Tapered pipe connectors are cut on a taper with a pipe's diameter, and it changes along the entire threaded portion of a pipe, in order to make the connection tighter. These types of fittings require a sealer, so you can be sure there will be no leakage around the fitting, and this is usually accomplished with a chemical sealant or a tape sealant. While it might be difficult to orient the tapered pipe threads correctly, it's very important to do so, because a poor seal might result in leakage when pressure is applied. If there is a disadvantage to tapered pipe connections, it's that they must be either soldered or welded to tubes when making a connection. Metal seal connectors were invented largely to provide an alternative to tapered pipe thread varieties. This type uses a tapered thread combined with a machined face, to provide a seal capable of handling the typical high pressure associated with hydraulics. The thread helps to accomplish the holding power, while the sealing is managed by the machined face. These kinds are easier to orient than a tapered connector, and they generally provide a better seal, without the need for any kind of additional sealant. However, they do still require welding or soldering to the tube. Soft seal are probably the most popular type used today, and these have an elastomeric seal that prevents leakage even under high-pressure situations. One of the big advantages to using soft seal connectors is that they can be installed very quickly, and this is highly advantageous in industrial applications. They are also capable of resisting heavy vibrations which many systems are subject to, so they don't break down nearly as frequently.

What are the Most Common Fitting Types?

The most common types of fittings are listed below, along with a brief description of each:

• NPT/NPTF - the most commonly used type of thread in North America, these are recognizable by the tapered inner diameter and the tapered outer diameter, making the fitting self-sealing.
• BSPT (JIS-PT) - commonly known as the British Thread Type, these are standard fittings which have been internationally adopted for sealing pipe ends and making connections.
• Metric Taper - the most commonly used thread type in Europe, it is well known for its precise cylindrical inner and outer diameters.
• SAE Straight Thread - a very reliable and reusable thread type, these have excellent sealing because of the 90-durometer O-Rings.
• ISO - has a metric straight thread O-Ring port, which is very useful for diagnostic port applications.
• JIS-B - largely used as hose adapters for equipment designed in Japan or Korea, these usually have BSP threads
• DIN Metric - DIN is the German Industrial Standard, and these are popular throughout Germany and much of Europe
• BSPP (JIS-PF) - JIS stands for Japanese Industrial Standards, and these BSPP connectors follow the standard British thread dimensions
• 4-Bolt Flange - there are a number of different types of 4-bolt flange options, either for normal duty or heavy duty

What are the Most Common Hydraulic Connections?

Given the fact that industrial equipment and machines are designed and produced by manufacturers all over the world, it's not surprising that there are countless different types of fittings and adapters. This enormous array of fittings makes use of a number of different sealing methods and thread forms, and while many of these would appear to look the same or at least very similar, it's not that difficult to accurately identify exactly which type it really is. The most common types of fittings are shown below, and these may be used in particular countries of the world, or by manufacturers everywhere on an individual continent.

• 37 degree flare
• 30 degree flare (metric)
• 45 degree flare
• 24 degree flareless (SAE)
• 24 degree flareless (DIN)
• 30 degree flare (BSPP)
• O-Ring Face Seal (ORFS)
• 60 degree NPSM Swivel
• 60 degree Cone (BSPP)
• 60 degree Cone (Metric)

To determine the type you're actually working with, there's a simple four-step process involved. First of all, you need to figure out whether it's a permanent or reusable type, and the permanent fittings will be those which are crimped. These are easier and quicker to attach than reusable fittings are, and that makes them ideal for applications in the fluid power industry. Next you need to identify the port connections before you attempt to install a hose or tube assembly, and those port connections are the ones listed above. Then you need to identify the particular sealing method, and this will generally be an automated angle, tapered threads, or an O-ring. After having determined the sealing method, you have to use a seat gauge in order to determine the seat angle. The last thing you need to do is measure the thread, and this will call for the use of calipers. By determining the number of threads per inch on both the outside diameter and the inside diameter, you'll be able to get an accurate reading of the thread size. Now that you know exactly which kind you're working with, it will be fairly easy for you to call a supplier and order that precise connector.

High-Quality Fittings and Connections From Sapphire Hydraulics

If you're still not sure of which kind of fittings and connections you need for your equipment, we can help you. Contact us at Sapphire Hydraulics so we can provide you with the precise fitting for your needs. Keep us in mind for any customized equipment you might need to have designed and manufactured, as well as whenever you might need repairs to your hydraulic hoses or hydraulic cylinders.