Module 04 - Plumbing Materials - Pipes and Fittings

Pipe

Cylindrical conduit for liquid, gas, or air flow

Fitting

Standardized component to connect pipes or fixtures

Malleability

Metal's ability to deform without fracturing

Hardness

Material's resistance to deformation by compression

Brittleness

Material's tendency to fracture under low stress

Ductility

Material's capability to be stretched without fracturing

Weatherability

Material's ability to withstand environmental effects

Abrasion Resistance

Material's resistance to friction wear

Impact Resistance

Material's ability to withstand sudden shock

Corrosion Resistance

Material's durability against chemical wearing

Acid Resistance

Surface's ability to resist acid degradation

Thermal Conductivity

Rate of heat transfer through a material

Thermal Resistivity

Material's resistance to heat transmission

Fire Resistance

Material's ability to withstand open flame

Heat Resistance

Material's ability to endure heat without deformation

Flow Characteristic

Material's resistance to liquid flow

Pressure Resistance

Material's ability to withstand internal pressure

Return Bend

Pipe fitting for 180° change in direction

Elbow

Fitting with a 90° change in direction

Street Elbow

Malleable iron fitting with 45° or 90° bend

Wye Branch

Fitting for drainage with large radius of curvature

Bend or Sweep

Fitting to change direction in drainage systems

Combination Wye Branch

Fitting combining wye branch and 1/8 bend

Tapped Tee

Bell-end tee with branch tapped for threaded pipe

Coupling

Fitting to join two pipes with ridges for seating

Socket

Fitting with spigot inlet for ventilation system

Tee

Fitting to connect branch pipe at a right angle

Adapter

A type of fitting used to connect pipes of different materials, such as galvanized steel pipes to plastic or synthetic pipes.

Sanitary Tee

A tee used where flow is not a consideration, available with end connections of all similar sizes or in various combinations of reduced pipe sizes in any direction.

Nipple

A short length of pipe with external threads at each end, used to join couplings or fittings.

Cap

A tee fitting for a soil pipe designed with a slight curve in the 90° transition to channel flow from a branch line toward the direction of the main flow.

Plug

An externally-threaded fitting usually with a square head, used to close the end of a pipe.

Bushing

A pipe fitting threaded on both the inside and the outside to connect two pipes or fittings of different sizes.

Flange

A fitting with a projecting collar along the edge, used for installations requiring increased area coverage for added mechanical strength.

Cast Iron Soil Pipe

A pipe fabricated from an alloy containing carbon and silicon, classified as Service, Extra Heavy, or Hubless, and lined with cement or coal tar enamel to reduce corrosion.

Standard Pipe (Std) Pipe

A pipe fitting with a bell or hub on one end and a spigot on the other, using caulking as a connection method.

Single Hub (SH) Pipe

A pipe fitting drawing two end pieces together as it is rotated to effect a seal.

Reducer

A pipe with one end having a bell or hub and a plain end on the other, joinable with another plain end pipe using a compression coupling joint.

Double Hub (DH) Pipe

A pipe fitting with inside threads, larger at one end than at the other, with both ends having bells or hubs.

Hubless (H) Pipe

A pipe with both ends plain, using a mechanical compression coupling joint.

1/4 Bend

A tapered coupling used for joining a pipe to another of larger size.

Adaptor

A fitting used to connect different types of pipes together.

Galvanized Steel Pipes

Made of mild steel drawn through a die and welded, treated with zinc to resist acid effects, available in various alloys and wall thicknesses.

Acid-Resistant (AR) Cast Iron Pipe

A gray cast iron alloy containing silicon, manganese, sulfur, and carbon, used for drainage of corrosive liquids and in exposed or underground applications.

Steel Pipes

Long lengths, varying thicknesses, high strength, good flow characteristics.

Galvanization

Process for internal and external corrosion protection of steel pipes.

Welded Pipe

Made by welding flat steel strips after forming round shapes.

Seamless Pipe

Made by piercing red-hot steel billets with mandrels.

Ductile Iron Pipe

Replaces iron water mains, good corrosion resistance, 350 psi pressure rating.

Plastic or Synthetic Pipe

Variety of compositions for drainage, vents, and water supply systems.

Galvanized Wrought Iron Pipe

Economical, dipped in zinc, resists acid wastes better than steel.

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

Rigid, strong, suitable for plumbing, unaffected by heat.

Polyethylene (PE)

Excellent chemical and crush resistance, used in low-pressure water systems.

Polybutylene (PB)

Flexible tubing for hot and cold water systems, saltwater resistant.

Polypropylene (PP)

Flexible, good impact strength, not suited for fuel distribution systems.

Polyvinylidine Fluoride (PVDF)

Used in industrial and chemical piping, excellent chemical resistance.

Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride

Strong, tough, abrasive-resistant, suitable for handling halogens.

Polyacetal (ACETAL)

Resistance to paraffins, non-toxic, used in faucet manufacturing.

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)

Good chemical resistance, excellent impact strength, used in LEGO bricks.

Polypropylene

Stronger and more rigid than polyethylene, with a higher functioning temperature of 190°F. Popular for tubular products due to high chemical resistance.

Polybutylene

Residential water lines material with excellent strength. Available in hard and soft forms in various diameters.

Type L (blue)

Lighter than Type K, used often in residential water lines. Manufactured in rigid and flexible forms.

Type M (red)

Hard type rated to function at 180°F up to 100 psi. Recommended for light domestic water lines.

Type DWV

Drain, waste, and vent type that can be tolerated with a relatively small reduction in pressure.

Copper Tube (yellow)

Rigid seamless tube made from almost pure copper. Used in water supply systems for hot, cold, and sanitary purposes.

Type ACR

Used in air-conditioning and refrigeration, available in coils and rigid lengths. Moisture removed for better refrigerant performance.

Brass Pipe

Manufactured from an alloy of 85% copper and 15% zinc. Used in local branch lines and drainage systems.

Lead Pipe

Made from 99.7% pig lead, used for connections to water closets and special installations. Available in rigid and flexible forms.

Block Tin

Material seldom used for water supply due to health concerns. Avoided in modern drainage systems.

Vitrified Clay Pipe

Used in underground sewers for storm and sanitary installations. Made by casting clay with added water.

Aluminum Pipe

Used to supplement limited supplies of galvanized iron and copper pipes. Limited use due to high cost and low resistance to corrosion.

Asbestos Cement Pipe

Manufactured in various sizes for pressures, composed of cement and asbestos fibers. Not widely used due to health risks.

Magnesium Pipe

Composed of cement and asbestos fibers, used for sea water applications due to low cost. Counteracts electrolytic action in water heaters.

Concrete Pipe

Mainly used for storm drainage, composed of cement, fine aggregates, and water. Classified as reinforced and non-reinforced concrete pipes.