A fitting is a detachable part of pipe or tubing that is either connected to another part of pipe or tubing or is connected to two such pieces. These fittings are commonly used in mechanical and plumbing operations for a variety of purposes. There are several kinds of fittings which are manufactured from a variety of materials, out of which the most popular ones are the following.
Elbows
Elbows are the fittings that are used to change the route of a pipe system. An elbow generally features a 45- or 90-degree bend, although other angles are also accessible. These are available in a variety of diameters and are usually threaded for connectivity. For example, an elbow fitting in the house is the piece that extends from the shower wall to which the showerhead connects.
Couplings and Unions
Couplings and unions are available in a number of different sizes and designs. The basic job of each is simply to connect two components of pipe or tubing. Hence, couplings and unions are normally quite short fittings. The main difference between them is that couplings are formed to be somewhat permanent and are often soldered in place or secured by a series of nuts and bolts, while unions are designed to be easily detached at any time.
Compression Fittings
Compression fittings are usually made up of three pieces: a body, nut, and gasket ring (or ferrule). They exert pressure to constrict connections, thereby preventing leakage. These fittings are used in many various industries, as well as in many spaces throughout the house, such as in toilets and faucets.
Valves
Valves are the press fittings placed in a separate category because of their intricacy and versatility. There are several types of valves, but the one unifying trait is that they control the flow of fluids and gases through a system, for example, the dvgw press fittings. Moreover, some valves are also used to regulate temperature. Some popular types of valves are gate, butterfly, globe, and ball. Sink and shower/bathtub faucets are also among some common types of valves.