What are copper pipe fittings

1. Definition

Copper pipe fittings are made of copper or copper alloys (such as brass, copper, etc.) and are used to connect pipes, change the direction of pipes, and realize pipe branches.

2. Types

• By function

• Elbows:

• There are 90-degree elbows and 45-degree elbows. Used to change the direction of copper pipes. In the installation of water heating systems, air conditioning pipe systems, etc., copper elbows are used when pipes need to bypass obstacles or change direction. For example, in a household hot water pipe system, if you want to lay pipes along the corners of the wall, a 90-degree copper elbow can make the pipe turn smoothly.

• Tees:

• Include equal-diameter tees and reducing-diameter tees. Equal diameter tees can evenly distribute the fluid in a copper pipe to two other pipes of the same diameter; reducing tees are used to connect copper pipes of different diameters. In household or industrial water supply and gas supply pipeline systems, tees are used when branch pipes need to be led out from the main pipe. For example, in the central heating system of a building, reducing tees can lead branch pipes from the main heating pipe to each room.

Straight joint (pipe clamp):

Mainly used to connect two copper pipes of the same diameter, to extend the pipe or connect broken pipes. In pipeline maintenance or new pipeline laying, if two sections of copper pipes need to be connected into a continuous pipe, a straight joint will be used.

•Cross:

•Can connect one pipe to three other pipes, which can be used for more complex pipe branching and fluid distribution. For example, in some large industrial fluid delivery systems or complex building water supply and drainage systems, copper crosses are used when multiple flow directions need to be processed simultaneously.

2. According to the connection method

•Threaded copper pipe fittings:

• This kind of pipe fittings has external or internal threads and can be threadedly connected with other copper pipe fittings or equipment with corresponding threads. The threaded connection method is relatively convenient to install and disassemble, and is widely used in some occasions where the sealing requirements are not extremely high, such as ordinary household water heating pipe systems, threaded copper pipe fittings can be easily connected to faucets, valves and other equipment.

• Welded copper pipe fittings:

• Suitable for pipe systems that require higher strength and sealing. For example, in the refrigeration pipe system of large air conditioners or industrial oxygen, acetylene and other gas transmission pipe systems, welded copper pipe fittings can ensure the high sealing and good mechanical properties of the pipe system, and prevent gas leakage or fluid leakage.

3 Features and advantages

• Good corrosion resistance:

• Copper itself has a certain corrosion resistance. In many environments, such as humid air, water containing certain minerals, etc., copper pipe fittings can remain stable for a long time and are not easy to rust or corrode. This makes copper pipe fittings widely used in water supply and drainage systems, especially hot water supply systems, because hot water may contain a certain amount of dissolved oxygen and minerals, and copper pipe fittings can resist the erosion of these substances and extend the service life of the pipeline system.

•Excellent thermal conductivity:

In some pipeline systems involving heat exchange, such as the pipe connection part of a solar water heater, the high thermal conductivity of copper pipe fittings helps to improve the efficiency of heat transfer. Heat can be quickly transferred between pipes through copper pipe fittings, thereby improving the thermal performance of the entire system.

•Aesthetics:

Copper has a unique metallic luster. Copper pipe fittings can add a sense of refinement and high-end in some occasions where appearance is required, such as the indoor plumbing decoration part of high-end residences or some retro-style building pipe systems.

•Strong machinability:

•Copper is relatively soft and easy to cut, bend, thread, etc. This allows copper pipe fittings to be made into various shapes and specifications according to different needs during the manufacturing process, and it is also easy to make some adjustments during on-site installation, such as cutting or bending the pipe fittings a small amount to adapt to special installation environments.