The Beginner’s Guide To Compression Tube Fittings
Compression tube fitting isn’t the most popular thing in the world. It is not an ideal subject for coffee table discussion by any means, but did you know compression tube fittings are everywhere around you and affecting your daily way of life? They are stuck in places you don’t normally look unless you’re a plumber or an engineer.
First things first, what is a compression tube fitting?
In plumbing, a compression tube fitting, or compression fitting for short, is a special material or object used to join the ends of two tubes or pipes together. The special thing about compression tube fittings is it can be used to attach tubes that aren’t even compatible or else made from different materials, mostly copper and PVC tubes, which was almost impossible to pull off. A great deal of plumbing of innovation was started thanks to compression tube fittings.
Most industry compression tube fittings are made from stainless steel, a tested and durable material, but also from other materials depending on the construction and make of the tubes to be connected. For example many compression tube fittings are manufactured with ferrules, also called olives, for modern plumbing.
The earlier statement about compression tube fittings being everywhere in your surroundings is true. These fittings are common in household plumbing, especially in hot and cold water taps and toilet valves. Valves in water taps and toilets are designed to control a single fixture to avoid having to turn off the water supply to the entire house. Compression tube fittings fit this bill nicely, since they can be made from materials that prevent the valves, tightly packed in confined spaces, from becoming a fire hazard. When all is said and done compression tube fittings are as essential to factories and industrial plants as they are in your own home.
In the industry, compression tube fittings have become a standard. Most of the time they’re the preferred choice and widely used in the semiconductor, bio-tech, R&D, gas, oil and chemical industries. Compression tube fittings are notable for their ability to prevent tight leaks. In addition it is possible to remake the fittings if necessary.
These are two types of fittings: flare fittings (type-B/manipulative, British) and standard fittings (non-manipulative, British). Standard fittings are used in compressed air and water connections and do not require any modifications. Flare fittings on the other hand are modified using special equipment and used for high pressure lines.
Compression tube fittings are the plumber’s best friend. Some things simply weren’t possible, in the industry and households, but thanks to compression tube fittings life has become easier, more convenient. Innovating is piece of cake when you’ve got the proper tools for it.