Plastic Pipe Fittings

What are Plastic pipe fittings

Plastic pipe fittings act as plastic pipe connectors in plumbing and drainage systems. They join multiple pipes of the same or different sizes, either to lengthen the pipeline or change the direction of flow. This regulates the water flow in the plumbing system. Based on their nature, they combine, divert, or reduce the water flow, and come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Industrial, commercial, and residential piping and plumbing systems all create huge demand for plastic water pipe fittings.

Types of plastic pipe fittings

PVC/UPVC pipe fittings – Plumbers use Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) or Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride (UPVC) pipe fittings as pipe connectors for all plumbing & drainage purposes in residential & commercial buildings. UPVC pipes and fittings are suitable for cold water distributions.

MDPE pipe fittings – Medium Density Polyethylene (MDPE) fittings are durable, and plumbers use them for water & gas distribution. They are suitable for high-pressure lines.

CPVC pipe fittings – Builders use Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (CPVC) pipe fittings in residential, commercial, hot & cold potable water distribution systems. Fire suppression systems also widely use them.

PPR pipe fittings – Polypropylene Random Copolymer fittings are ideal for hot and cold potable water piping in residential, commercial, and industrial installations. Plumbers can use them to transfer water, sanitary liquids, compressed air, and aggressive chemicals.

PEX pipe fittings – Builders use cross-linked polyethylene, also known as PEX fittings, in building pipework systems, domestic water piping, and hydronic radiant heating and cooling systems.

PERT pipe fittings – PERT or Polyethylene of Raised Temperature fittings are very easy to use and have a good melting connection.

Application of Plastic Fittings

Drainage fittings

Plumbers use drainage plastic fittings to connect drainage pipes. These include elbows, tees, cross tees, Y, double Y, plugs, cleanouts, and traps. They connect pipes to ensure the smooth flow of wastewater in the drainage.

Chemical pipe fittings

Industries also use plastic pipe fittings to transport extremely hazardous chemical materials and waste. These fittings resist corrosion from chemicals and last longer than metal piping.

Pneumatic pipe fittings

Pressurized air or gas systems use pipe fittings to connect sections of pipes, tubes, or hoses. Pneumatic fittings have tight seals and lower pressure requirements compared to hydraulic fittings.

Pressure Application pipe fittings

Pressure applications are those that involve transporting liquids under pressure. This includes municipal and domestic water supply and transportation of liquids in industrial applications. Plastic pipe fittings are most suitable for all pressure applications.

Plastic Water pipe fittings

Plastic water pipe fittings are undoubtedly one of the important components of the plumbing system. Plumbers use them to connect straight pipes or sections of tube inside homes and commercial buildings to help supply water. Fittings like elbows, tees, sockets, and reducers change the direction of the water flow, with a reduced or equal size.

Non Pressure Application pipe fittings

Builders widely prefer PVC pipe fittings for non-pressure applications because of their non-corrosive nature, easy installation, and extremely long life. The life of a PVC pipe and fittings in non-pressure applications is far better than the metal counterparts. Non pressure applications generally include drainage.

TYPES OF PLASTIC PIPE CONNECTORS OR PLASTIC PIPE JOINTS

PLASTIC PIPE ELBOW JOINT

Elbow connectors change the direction of flow between the two pipes they connect. Common elbows found in the market have 90 degree & 45 degree bends. Plumbers join elbow fittings together to move the pipe run around obstructions.

PLASTIC PIPE SOCKET OR COUPLING

A coupler is a very short length of pipe or tube, with a socket at one or both ends that lets the pipes join together. Plumbers use couplings to repair a broken or leaking pipe.

PLASTIC END CAP

Cap fittings cover the end of the pipe to stop the flow of gas or water. Plumbers use them at the endpoint of the piping system, and also in piping headers for future connections.

PLASTIC PIPE FLANGE

Flange fittings are flat and round to create a tight seal with bolts and clamps. Plumbers use these types of pipe fittings when pipes pass through walls, ceilings, and floors.

PLASTIC PIPE UNION

Just like couplings, union fittings also connect two similar pipes. A union has three pieces, namely a nut, a female end, and a male end. As soon as the female and male ends join, the nut provides the pressure needed to seal the joint.

PLASTIC VALVES

Valves adjust the flow of fluids. There are three main types of valves: throttling, non-return, and isolation. Throttling valves control the pressure and amount of liquid flowing in the pipe. Non-return valves, also known as check valves, allow liquid to flow in only one direction.

PLASTIC ADAPTORS

Plastic adaptors are pipe fittings that connect pipes of different types. An adaptor can be male or female on one end. If the ends are non-threaded, plumbers can weld, solder, or glue them to the pipe. Different types of water systems widely use plastic adaptors.

PLASTIC BUSHING

People also call plastic bushings reducer bushings, and plumbers use them to connect two pipes of different sizes. The larger diameter of the bushing fits inside the larger pipe, and the smaller end of the bushing fits inside the smaller pipe.

PLASTIC PIPE CLIPS

People also call pipe clips pipe clamps. These circular or semicircular brackets fix pipes in position and come in various fastening types. Pipe clips come in a wide range of sizes and diameters.

PLASTIC PIPE REDUCER FITTINGS

Plumbers use plastic pipe reducer fittings to connect large diameter pipes to smaller diameter pipes. A reducer changes the pipe size to meet the hydraulic flow requirements of the system.

PLASTIC PIPE TEE OR WYE JOINT

Plumbers use tee and wye fittings to connect three pieces of pipe. Tees have one inlet and two outlets that resemble a right angle (90 degrees) in the shape of a T, whereas wye pipe fittings are shaped like a “Y” with two inlets coming together at 45 degrees into a single outlet in drainage applications. Plumbers can also use it to combine the flow from two inlets into one outlet.

Pipe Fitting Type Based On Jointing System

Threaded joint – It is the mechanical joint between threaded pipes or between a threaded pipe and threaded fitting.
Soldering – Soldering is a joining process that joins different types of metals together by melting solder.
Metal Heat welding – It is a fabrication process that joins metals or thermoplastics by using high heat to melt the parts together.
Plastic heat welding- It is the process of creating a molecular bond between two thermoplastics.
Solvent cement – Solvent cement comes in liquid or gel form. Plumbers use it to join PVC pipes and other types of plastics. Solvent cement is very convenient to use.
Rubber ring – In this technique, compressing a rubber ring housed in the socket of a pipe or fitting creates a fluid seal when the spigot passes into the socket.
Compression – Plumbers use this technique to connect two pipes, or a pipe and a fixture or valve.