Pipe fittings are not the most expensive components to any system, but a poor choice in industrial pipe fittings can have significant consequences for the contractor or the company. Pipe and pipe fittings that are inferior in quality, incorrectly selected for the specific application, or incorrectly matched are more likely to leak, have a limited duty cycle or fail during operation.
Most industrial pipe fittings are not a new technology, and they have been used for decades in various industries and in different systems. However, there are new options in materials and solutions that an experienced industrial supplier may be able to suggest for a given application. These suggestions can help the contractor to increase the life cycle for the components, to decrease the risk of problems and to create a top performance in all systems they install.
Matching Pipe, Valves, and Fittings
A very common yet easily avoided mistake is to mismatch the pipe, valves and industrial pipe fittings. The entire system should be matched, so one material is used for the pipes, valves, and fittings. This ensures that the entire system is designed to handle the specifics of the application, including temperature, pressure and flow rate.
Mixing and matching, such as using PVC pipe and CPVC pipe fittings or valves, can create weak areas in the system. The same is true for different types of metals and alloys, or combining metals and non-metals. The more demanding the specific application, the more problematic this type of practice becomes on the job.
Other Factors
Depending on the type of application, other factors may also be necessary for the selection of fittings. For example, it is not uncommon in the United States and in other areas of the world for soil conditions or movement of the ground to have an impact on the type of pipe, valves, and fittings that are selected.
Choosing the best match in components for the system is important, and working with a top PVF supplier ensures this outcome.
