Compression Pipe Fittings Views
Compression fittings are used in plumbing and electrical conduit systems to join two tubes or thin-walled pipes together. In instances where two pipes made of dissimilar materials are to be joined (most commonly PVC and copper), the fittings will also be made of one or more compatible materials appropriate for the connection. Compression fittings for attaching tubing (piping) commonly have ferrules (also known as olives) in them.
Thread sealants such as joint compound (pipe dope ) or thread seal tape (PTFE tape, or Teflon tape) are inappropriate for use on compression fitting threads; while such sealants protect against leaks in normal threaded connections, they serve little purpose in compression fittings and may actually serve to weaken them. The compression of the ferrule (rather than the sealing of the threads) is the means of sealing the joint in a compression fitting, and extraneous sealants frequently interfere with this condition; for instance, thread seal tape can provide a means for a gap to form between the ferrule and the nut.
Compression fittings are not as robust as soldered fittings. They should be used in applications where the fitting will not be disturbed and not subjected to flexing or bending. A soldered joint is highly tolerant of flexing and bending (such as when pipes knock or shake from sudden pressure changes). Compression fittings are much more sensitive to these type of dynamic stresses. They are also bulkier, and may be considered less aesthetically pleasing than a neatly soldered joint.
Compression fittings use a soft metal ring (the compression ring) which is squeezed onto the pipe and into the fitting by a compression nut. The soft metal conforms to the surface of the tubing and the fitting, and creates a seal. Compression connections do not typically have the long life that sweat connections offer, but are advantageous in many cases because they are easy to make using basic tools. A disadvantage in compression connections is that they take longer to make than sweat, and sometimes require retightening over time to stop leaks.
Compression Pipe Fittings Images
