Tuesday, 23 October 2012

Choosing The Right Type And Size Of Metric Tube Fittings

By Mamie Conrad


There are different sizes and types of metric tube fittings employed by building contractors. Each type and size each have their own specific uses. The primary use of these devices are as connectors of pipes used commonly in plumbing and electrical installations.

The materials that are used to fabricate accessories are also the same materials that are used to manufacture pipes. These are steel, aluminum, and brass. Cast iron, copper, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is also utilized to manufacture fittings and pipes. The same components are employed to make sure of the compatibility of the connectors to the tubes it connects.

There are two different methods of measuring the sizing of these accessories. The standard measurements are in inches while the metric tube fittings measurement is in millimeter. Range of sizes for standard and metric are one-eighth inch to 36 inches and ten mm to 10,000 mm, respectively. Different project plans call for different types of measurement.

The aim for which the accessories are intended also dictate its size and shape. The accessory utilized to connect tubing to each other is called a coupling. It can be utilized to connect same type tubes as with a brass-brass connection. It can also be utilized to connect tubes made from different materials as in a steel-copper connection.

It can be used to connect same size tubes or pipes of different sizes. Here it is called a reducer coupling or an enlarger coupling. For example, a ten mm diameter pipe is connected to a 25 mm diameter pipe with a 10-20 enlarger coupling. Enlarger or reducer couplings can also be fabricated to connect tubing made from different materials.

There are also accessories that are called adapters and caps. These are employed to seal the ends or make an extension of a particular pipe run. Elbow connectors are used to alter the direction of the pipe run. To connect multiple pipes together in a series, plumbers and electricians use accessories called tees and crosses. The names of these accessories imply the shape.

The characteristic of the different materials used in making the fittings show their purpose in the construction business. For instance, aluminum and copper tube accessories which are highly resistant to corrosion are utilized in areas of high humidity or are constantly exposed to moisture and highly corrosive materials. Cast iron devices are preferred for heavy-duty purposes. The strength and durability of the steel and brass pipes also has their preferred usage. For low-cost installations, contractors prefer to use plastic or PVC tubing.

Accessories made of iron are commonly utilized in storm drainpipes and sanitation systems. Brass connectors are the preferred choice for the transfer of slurries, chemicals, and gases in production plants. Brass accessories are utilized to transfer heating or cooling water.

There are many factors that a contractor considers before choosing the appropriate connector to use. To be sure that you purchase the correct connector, you can ask for help from a hardware store staff. Both the standard and the metric tube fittings measurements are accepted anywhere.




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