Types of Fittings

Every sanitary fitting can be classified based on the connection type and function it performs.

Connection Type
Fittings are attached to tubes, pipes, or hoses via a number of different connection methods, each
with its own conveniences and advantages.

Ball and sleeve fittings - Connects an outer sleeve to an inner (ball) fitting. The sleeve
retracts to connect and disconnect the two ends of the fitting.

Barbed fittings - Connects hose flexible tubing via a barbed end with a tapered stub and
ridges inserted into the vessel. They are best suited for low pressure applications, since
they do not provide a strong seal.

Cam-lock fittings - Connected using tabs which fold down into the receiver to lock
the fitting in place after insertion. They are used in many heavy-duty applications such as
fire hose and sludge/sewage pumping.

Compression fittings - Connect vessels using compression on a gasket, ring, or ferrule.

Crimp fittings - Involve placing a vessel over a tubular end and crimping against it with
a sleeve or crimp socket. These fittings typically require crimping tools to make the
connections.

End fittings - Provide specific end surfaces for making connections

o Clamp ends are fittings which allow vessels (typically hose) to be clamped to the
connection.

o Plain ends are fittings which allow vessels to be connected by adhesive, solder, or
other forms.

Flanges - Ports with flush surfaces perpendicular to the attached vessel. These surfaces
are joined and sealed via clamps, bolts, and/or welding. When connecting tubes and
pipes, these fittings are attached separately to the vessel ends. Flange connections in hose
are typically built in.

Luer locks - Sleeve fittings that afford simple, effective connections (generally for short,
single use) by a quick twisting action. They are most commonly used to connect tubes in
medical and laboratory applications.

Push-on (quick connect) fittings - Fittings which have ends designed to accept vessels
by pushing them into the end. These fittings typically disconnect via some type of collar
retraction. Quick connections are convenient for sections of the system requiring frequent
disconnection and reconnection during operation.

Threaded fittings - Fittings with screw threads (built-in grooves) on their inner (female)
or outer (male) surfaces designed to accept tubing with matching threads.

Function
There are a variety of different fitting types, each which performs one of several basic functions.
Fittings which extend or terminate:

Adapter - Connects two dissimilar vessels to each other via solvent welding, soldering, or
threading.

Coupling - Connects two similar vessels to each other via solvent welding, soldering, or
threading.

Sleeve - Connect two vessels to each other using mechanical fasteners (e.g. screws,
anchors).

Union - Coupling which can be disconnected without cutting.

Cap - Covers the end of a vessel, attaching on the male end via welded or threaded
connection.

Plug - Closes off the end of a vessel, attaching on the female end via welded or threaded
connection.

Fittings which add or change direction:

Elbow - Changes the direction of the vessel to various angles. Most common angles are 90
and 45, but 22.5 elbows are also made.

Tee - Connects three sections in a T-shaped intersection. This allows fluid flow to be combined
or split apart.

Wye - Connects three sections in a Y-shaped intersection. They combine or split apart fluid
flow like tees, but with less resistance.

Cross - 4-way connections, providing one inlet and three outlets or vice versa. Crosses are
less steady than tees, and can generate high stress on the vessel with temperature changes.

Fittings which change vessel size:

Reducer - Includes all fittings which connect between two or more vessels of different sizes.

Olet - Reduction fitting attached to branched connections when adequate reducing tees or
crosses are not available.

Fittings which provide special connections or functions:

Nipple - Allows two separate fittings to be connected at each end. Standard nipples are
straight with male threads on both ends.

Valve - Connects vessels together with the addition of a valve for the control of flow.