Areas of application of fittings for copper pipes
Copper pipes are extremely widely used in a variety of areas: industrial production, food, refrigeration and other types of equipment. For example, all serious systems in a modern car are made of copper and its alloys.
And the reasons for such popularity of the use of copper products in high corrosion resistance to chemically aggressive compounds and materials, high ductility and flexibility( easily adopt the desired configuration and shape), the range of operating temperature drop allows use in heating systems or refrigeration equipment.
Of course, the pipes need to be interconnected, make turns, transitions between different diameters, etc. Special connectors and adapters constitute a separate group of products, called fittings. They are direct and transient, in the sense of joining pipes of one and different diameters, respectively.
Compression fittings for copper pipes and other varieties
All types of fittings, depending on the mounting method for installation, are conventionally divided into four groups: threaded, for welding( soldering), crimping and flange. The design of each group has its own characteristics.
The already considered crimping collet fittings have a special ring for installation in the pipe. The purpose of this ring is to create a tight compression. Ease of use in the absence of the need to perform soldering and, accordingly, high speed of work. Press fittings for copper pipes provide the ability to perform the installation in the case where there is a need to connect the copper pipe to another material.
Widely used soldering or welding methods. This method provides a very reliable and airtight connection. It is used for critical components, often in refrigeration equipment, for the production of radiators, etc. For similar equipment there are also fittings for soldering copper pipes.
Along with the high reliability and durability of the compounds obtained, their cost is fairly moderate. In addition to brazing, welding is also performed using special equipment, which makes it possible to obtain a reliable connection by an order of magnitude higher than when soldering. A feature of welding copper is the connection to the operation of gas burners( acetylene with oxygen) or electrodes in argon or helium.
The classic flange connection for copper pipes and fittings is used for large diameters. For water supply systems and heating systems, compression fittings for copper pipes are used.
Such connections provide high tightness and quality of construction. The ease of use is due to the presence of a clamping ring and a nut. Standard keys are used for fitting fittings to a pre-cut and peeled copper pipe.
Fitting of fittings for copper pipes
The correct installation of compression fittings allows not only fast and reliable connection of pipes, but also, if necessary, quickly remove the connection. In the general requirements for mounting a curved leg, the rule of exceeding the straight pipe section in front of the fitting must be observed, the height difference should be at least two and a half the diameter of the pipe.
To prepare the pipe for mounting the fitting, in each case it must be cut to a length not less than its diameter( to remove possible defects in diameter).For insulated pipes, the shell is removed no less than the length of the fitting and their diameter.
During installation, it is recommended to use lubricants on silicone or Teflon-based to facilitate assembly work. It is not recommended to use mineral oils and other hydrocarbon compounds for such lubrication when installing copper fittings for plastic and polymer pipes.
It is better to carry out the work with usual lockshield keys, use of combination pliers, gas switches etc. is not recommended. In any case, special support sleeves should be used. Connections with such fittings should provide easy access to their installation locations.
