Copper pipes remain a popular choice and are used in numerous industries including chemical, oil and gas refinery, construction, pharmaceutical and manufacturing. They are also regularly used for plumbing within households and for water service systems.
What are copper pipe fittings?
Types of Copper Pipe Fittings
There is a significant range of copper pipe fittings to choose from.
Couplers
Pipe couplers are short tubes that are used to join two pipes. They have a socket at one or both ends.
Elbows
Elbows are components that allow piping to change direction, usually by 90 degrees but they are also available in other angles (notably 45 or 22.5). They can be screwed, flanged or welded.
Tees
Named after their shape, these are used between two pipes, allowing them to join together. They have three openings: one in the middle one and at each side at a 90-degree angle.
Reducers
Pipe reducer fittings are used to join two pipes of different diameters. They are often used in pipeline systems. They will have either a regular or slip collar and are usually conical in shape.
Unions
These allow two pipes to be joined in a way that means one can be removed without disturbing the other. They have a ‘male’ thread at one end and a ‘female’ thread at the other. They are less bulky than elbow or tee fittings.
Caps
Pipe caps (also known as plugs, heads, or bulkheads), are fittings that are attached to the end to cover the pipe and close the pipeline. They can be either welded or threaded on.
If you want more information, there are a number of specialist suppliers of copper pipe fittings, such as watkinspowis.co.uk/products/copper-pipe-fittings-and-press-systems/, many of whom have useful online resources.
Other common types of pipe fittings that can be used include brass fittings, copper sweat fittings, flare fittings, compression fittings, and push-fit fittings.
