Selecting and Measuring Pipe Fittings & Pipe

Selecting Material
With all the materials available to pipe your system, how do you know which one to choose? Below youll find a guide to metallic pipe fittings and pipe. Nonmetallic pipe fittings begin on page 46.
Features and Benefits Stainless SteelA corrosion-resistant material that provides high strength at high temperatures, helps prevent contamination of product being transported, maintains cleanliness, and retains a lustrous appearance. Its harder than brass. Type 304 stainless steel is a low-carbon chromium-nickel stainless steel. Type 316 stainless steel is similar to Type 304, but has a higher nickel content as well as molybdenum for stronger resistance to heat and corrosion. BrassThis soft, copper-based metal provides tight seals and is easier to install than other metals. It can be used interchangeably with copper where heavier walls are required. It resists corrosion from salt water as well as fresh water polluted with waste from mineral acids and peaty soils. AluminumLightweight and strong, this metal is ductile and malleable. It can be anodized for better corrosion resistance. IronCast iron is a harder, more brittle iron while malleable iron is a softer, more ductile iron. General Applications Pages For use with water, oil, and gas. Good for chemical, pulp, 4-15 and paper processing as well as for oil refining and pollution-control equipment. Its sanitary and noncontaminating which also makes it a good choice for use in pharmaceutical, dairy, brewery, beverage, and food industries.

Primarily used with water for plumbing and heating. Also 16-24 good for use in pneumatic and marine applications.

For low-pressure systems with water-based fluids in agri- 24-25 cultural and some food-processing applications. Cast Iron: For use with water (heating and cooling) and steam. 26-31 Good for fire protection applications. Malleable Iron: For use with gas, oil, and water. Good for industrial plumbing. SteelThis carbon- and iron-based metal is hard and strong. For high-pressure systems in petrochemical, oil refinery, 32-45 hydraulic, and pneumatic applications.

Most ordering mistakes are caused by incorrectly measuring the pipe size. Use the sizing guides below to help determine the correct size.

Measuring Pipe Fittings and Pipe

Have you ever tried to order pipe, nipples, valves, or fittings, and had difficulty determining the proper size? If so, youre not alone. Years of selling these products has shown us that even experienced maintenance people are sometimes confused by the industrys terminology and method of sizing. To put it simply, there are two specifications necessary to make certain you can join a pipe with a valve or fitting: size and thread. The size and thread of a pipe must be the same as the fitting or valve in order to fit properly. A chart listing pipe size and actual pipe dimensions can be found on the bottom of page 3. To select the correct pipe fittings and pipe, use the information on this page as well as the next to determine pipe size, if the threads are tapered or straight (parallel), and the pitch (threads per inch).

What is Pipe Size?

Pipe size does not refer to the inside or outside diameters (ID or OD) of a pipe fitting or pipe. Its the accepted industry designation, not an actual size. For example, all pipe and male pipe fittings with a 12 pipe size have an actual OD of 0.840. When matching pipe OD for male threads and pipe ID for female threads, you need them to have the same pipe size. Use the sizing guides below to help determine pipe and fitting sizes. Note: The terms pipe size, IPS, size, and nominal pipe size all mean the same thing.

Sizing Guides
For measuring pipe and fittings with external (male) threads:
To determine the size of an externally threaded pipe or male fitting, place the outside edge of the pipe on the line with the 0. The line that the opposite edge of the pipe touches gives the size of the pipe. Photo at left shows the use of the guide below.

Measuring pipe and a male fitting (OD).

0
1 8 1 4 3 8 1 2 3 4

0
114 11 2

114

11 2

21 2

31 2

For measuring fittings and valves with internal (female) threads:

To measure a female fitting, center the opening of the fitting against the bottom edge of this page. Align the top of the threads on one wall (not the wall itself) with the line marked 0. The line that aligns with the top of the threads on the opposite wall gives the size of the fitting. Photo at left shows the use of the guide below.
0
1 8 1 4 3 8 1 2 3 4

114

11 2

21 2

31 2

Measuring a female fitting (ID).