Pipe Adapter Fittings

Adapter fittings are designed as alternative connection to extend or terminate a piping running system. It prevents leakage between connections for system process, power instrumentation and general industrial applications. The fittings are manufactured to the highest quality standards and are available in different range of sizes, material, connection and configurations. 

​​Adapters are available in various connections with female and male end connection. It is mainly applicable for pipes with odd sizes on both end or we called it big jumped size. Example one end 1/2” male and another end 1” female end connection. An adapter with one end 1/2” female and another end 1” male is customized to ensure flow transferred.

Size	1/8" to 2"​
Material	Stainless Steel SS316 Carbon Steel A105​
Working Pressure	​Up to 420 Bars
Connection Thread Type	​Threaded BSPP  Threaded NPT

CATALOGUE :

Pipe Adapter Fittings

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What are pipe adapter fittings

1. What is an pipe adapter fitting?

BSPP x NPT Reduced Hex Nipple

The fittings can be machined and customized as per request in order to provide instant solution to transfer flow from one direction to another.  The adapter is an interface for connecting both end connection without direct compatibility. The market well-known brand is Parker, United States. 

​The benefit of using adapter fittings are such as below: 

• Many different choices of configurations and connections are available.
• Threads constructed to ensure reliable system & prevent leakage.
• The male thread connection is protected with plastic cap.
• Applicable in high pressure system application.

​2. What is the difference between a coupling and an adapter?

A socket or coupling is a straight connector that enables equal flow rate in one direction. If both pipes sizes are not the same, a ​reducing coupling is used to reduce flow by joining a larger size pipe to a smaller size. It usually comes in both female end and connects with pipe in male connection. 

​While adapter comes in different size and connection. It can be customized according to system size and connection required. Standard hex bush fitting threaded end connection male size bigger than female size. Adapter can have female which is internal thread bigger than male external thread or equal size for both male and female thread. ​

BSPP Male Thread x BSPP Female Thread Adapter

3. How do you make an adapter fitting?

​Adapters are made from forging from bar stock in stainless steel, SS316 and carbon steel material. Straight adapters are manufactured from ASTM applicable cold down bars whereas non-straight fittings like 90-degree elbow or 3-way tee are machined after close grain forging. They are designed to be used for instrumentation connections and process control between tubes and pipes size. 

​The fitting body material has its own running temperature range. For example, fitting body of stainless steel SS316 material is suitable to work at a maximum temperature of 537° (1000°F). Please refer details for brass and carbon steel material as per below:

Material	Bar Stock	Forgings	Maximum Temperature Ratings °C (°F)
Stainless Steel SS316	ASTM A479 Type 316 ASTM A276 Type 316	ASTM A182 F316	537 (1000)
Carbon Steel	ASTM A108 JIS G4051 S20C-S45C	ASTM A105 JIS G3201 SF440A	204 (400)
Brass	ASTM B16 C36000 JIS H3250 C3604	ASTM B283 C37700 JIS H3250 C3771	190 (375)

Table 1: Fitting production process

​4. How do I connect two pipes to the same size?

Adapter is the fitting that are suitable to connect two pipes together. These fittings are available in sizes ranging from 1/8” to 2” in threaded connection of NPT and BSPP. The adapter type includes various thread of male by female adapter, hex nipple and plug. 

​The fitting has a pressure rating which can withstand up to 420 bar. Pressure ratings of each adapter are determined under ambient temperature of 37 °C (100°F). However, the pressure rating is subjected to flow rate, material of O-ring seal and temperature de-rating factor.​

Allan Key Head Plug c/w ED Seal

Components	Material	Temperature Min ⁰C (⁰F)	Temperature Max ⁰C (⁰F)
SAE O-rings	FKM	-28 (-20)	204(400)
Bonded Seal Gasket	NBR	-25 (-13)	110(230)
Bonded Seal Gasket	FKM	-15 (5)	204(400)
Copper Gasket	COPPER	-198 (-325)	204(400)

Table 2: Gasket and O-ring material

Temperature (⁰C)	38	93	149	204	260	316	371	427	482	537
Temperature (⁰F)	100	200	300	400	500	600	700	800	900	1000
Stainless Steel 316	1.000	​1.000	1.000	0.960	-	-	-	-	-	-
Carbon Steel ​	​1.000	0.940	0.900	0.860	-	-	-	-	-	-
Brass	​1.000	0.780	0.690	0.130	-	-	-	-	-	-
Carbon Steel	​1.000	0.940	0.900	0.860	-	-	-	-	-	-

Table 3: Temperature de-rating factor

Let’s take an example, stainless steel adapter fitting A can withstand pressure 420 bars in normal system operation. When fitting is run in an environment temperature of 400⁰C, the fitting pressure will drop to 331 bars, which is 420 bar x 0.79(de-rating factor). Adapter material in carbon steel and brass are not suitable to apply in temperature rating of 400⁰C. It is only applicable for maximum a temperature of 204⁰C.

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CATALOGUE :

​Pipe Adapter Fittings

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