Threaded fittings

What are the types of threaded fittings?

Threaded fittings are divided into many different products, such as:

• couplers, 
• nipples, 
• pipe screws, 
• plugs, 
• reducers, 
• elbows,
• splitters.

Below you will find a brief description of each.

What are couplers?

Couplers are a type of short pipe that are used to connect segments of pipework. They have female threads at both ends, making it possible to connect two pieces of pipework fitted with male threads.

Couplers are commonly used in water, gas and heating systems.

What are nipples?

Nipples are a type of short pipe with external threads at both ends. They are used to connect two fittings with female threads.

Nipples are used in various installations where a stable and tight connection is required.

What are pipe screws?

Pipe screws are a type of threaded pipe fitting that is used to connect pipes in installations. A typical pipe screw consists of 3 parts:

• left — on the external side it usually has an external thread (in some variations an internal thread), and on the internal side it has an abutment (flange) and a convex half-bottom; 
• middle — it is a nut with an internal thread, which on one side has a reduced diameter forming a special clamp (the so-called "cap nut"), which fits to the external abutment (flange) of the previous part of the fitting;
• right - on the inside it has a specially shaped concave half-bottom matching the half-bottom of the left part and an external thread (matching the internal thread of the nut), and on the outside it has an internal thread matching the diameter of the pipe to be fixed.

What are plugs?

Plugs are parts of the installation that are used to close the ends of pipes or installations. They usually have an external thread that fits into the end of a pipe with an internal thread. Plugs are used to temporarily or permanently shut off flow in pipes. Reducers

What are reducers?

Reducers are system components used to connect pipes of different diameters. They can have different types of threads, depending on the needs and system specifications.

These types of fittings are key in installations where matching pipes of different sizes are required.

What are elbows?

Elbows are parts of the installation that allow the direction of flow in the system to be changed. They usually have an angle of 90 or 45 degrees and are fitted with female or male threads.

Elbows are necessary in piping systems where there is a need to create a bend or change the direction of the pipes.

What are splitters?

Splitters are components that allow flow to be divided into several different directions. They have one input and several outputs, often with different types of threads. They are used in plumbing systems where it is necessary to divide the flow into several independent sections.

The most common splitters are T-pieces and cross pieces.

What to look for when choosing threaded fittings?

When choosing threaded fittings, pay attention to the following factors:

• Thread size — Make sure the thread size matches the rest of the installation. Pay particular attention to the diameter and pitch of the thread.
• Thread type — Depending on the application, choose the appropriate thread type. This includes its standard (e.g. BSP, NPT), side (internal/external) and direction (clockwise or anti-clockwise);
• Manufacturing material — The choice of material depends on the conditions in which the fittings will be operated. Steel, brass or plastic have different properties and applications.
• Operating pressure — Ensure that the fitting is suitable for the pressure prevailing in the system.
• Operating temperature — Some materials perform better at high temperatures, others at low temperatures.
• Application — Different types of fittings are suited to specific applications. For example, in chemically aggressive environments or water installations, corrosion resistance is important. 
• Certifications and standards — Look for products that comply with current standards and certifications to ensure safety and high quality. This is particularly important in demanding applications.
• Ease of assembly and disassembly — For systems that require frequent changes or maintenance, fittings must be easy to assemble and disassemble.