As pipe bending can be a difficult and sometimes costly secondary operation, fittings are often used join two straight sections of pipe together at an angle as needed for various pipe configurations. Read More…
Leading Manufacturers
Cada Stainless & Alloys
Chester, NY | 845-469-3899Cada Stainless & Alloys has the stainless steel tubing that you need. We also specialize in the supply of stainless steel strips and coils, providing many finishing options, processing options, and other customization options.
Stainless Shapes, Inc.
Elgin, IL | 800-748-9811At Stainless Shapes, we want to prove to you that ours is the best price, delivery and service for quality stainless steel tubing, bar stock, hot roll wire rod, hex bar and squares. Round, rectangle, square, welded, seamless and polished stainless steel tubing. Many grades. Call for a fast, accurate quote.
Metal Associates
Pompton Plains, NJ | 800-838-1978Our company may have started small, but we quickly grew to handle the largest aluminum orders. Our metals are made from the highest quality materials, and we pledge to offer superior service to all our customers. We don’t want customers who use us one time, we want to establish lifelong relationships with customers that last generations. Contact us for more info!
Metalmen Sales Inc.
Long Island City, NY | 800-767-9494metalmen supplies polished and mill finished Stainless Steel tube and pipe. We have access to unique inventories and have well-worn relationships with mills and custom producers. Our broad experience enables us to address most every supply challenge. Call us for prompt quotes and on-time deliveries.
TW Metals, Inc.
Exton, PA | 800-545-5000Built on 100 years of history, TW Metals maintains an extensive, highly responsive distribution network for what you need, when you need it. Stainless, carbon, aluminum, nickel, titanium. Coil, Sheet, Rod, Bar, Wire, Tubing, Pipe, Specialty Products & Extrusions. Custom and off-the-shelf long products.
Stainless Steel Pipe Fittings - MetalmenAn integral part of plumbing and flow systems, pipe fittings must be able to safely transport all fluids, gases and even solids that may be entered into the system. For this reason and others, stainless steel is a common material used in the production of these fittings as it is extremely strong, durable and resists corrosion in a number of corrosive environments.
Pulp and paper, petrochemical, water treatment, automotive, medical, dental, semiconductor, food processing and aerospace industries among others utilize these fittings in a number of different applications. Stainless steel pipe fittings are the most common choice in medical and food processing environments as high grade alloys are hygienic and easily sanitized.
The many benefits of stainless steel pipe and fittings often outweighs the higher initial cost as the elemental structure of stainless steel significantly increases product longevity, reducing long term expenses such as maintenance and replacements. Although fittings may eventually need repair or replacement, this material is easily melted down and recycled, further reducing costs and waste.
Steel is composed primarily of iron with varying amounts of carbon and a wide variety of additional metallic components. To be classified as stainless, chromium must make up at least 10% of alloy content. Stainless steels can be placed into one of four major categories based on content and properties, these categories are used to determine the proper composition required for pipe fittings in a given application.
Ferritic, martensitic, duplex and austenitic are common categorizations of stainless steel with the latter being the most popular choice for pipes, tubes and fittings. Welding, seamless tubing via extrusion, die-cutting and metal spinning are common techniques employed in the production of fittings which can be conformed to work with round, oval, square and rectangular cross-sectioned pipes.
Common examples of these fittings include adapters, bulkhead fittings, caps, couplings, end bells, expansion joints, flanges, reducers and elbows. The process, particular stainless steel alloy and part configuration should be carefully considered with regards to the intended use of stainless steel fittings.
Further considerations include inner and outer dimensions, wall thickness, pressure rating, maximum bend radius, temperature range, length and finishing. These concerns must take into account not only what will flow through the fittings, but also the pipes to which they will be connected. Improper dimensions, for example, may lead to leaks and even the failure of a flow system.
