Pipe Fittings

Overview

Fittings That Change Direction, Size & Branch

Pipe fittings join lengths of pipe and change the direction, diameter or branch of a line. Every piping system needs them, and each one must match the pipe it connects to – in material, size and wall thickness, and end preparation.

We supply seamless and welded fittings in the same grades as our pipe, so the fitting, the pipe and the flange all carry matching certification. Sizes from ½" to 48", in schedules from 5S to XXS and forged classes 2000 to 9000.

Butt weld, socket weld & threaded
Seamless & welded construction
Matching pipe, fitting & flange grades
EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificates

Quick Facts

Types: Elbows, tees, reducers, caps, crosses, stub ends, bends, outlets
End types: Butt weld (BW), socket weld (SW), threaded (NPT / BSP)
Size: BW ½" – 48" · SW & threaded ⅛" – 4"
Thickness: Sch 5S, 10S, 40, 80, 160, XXS
Forged class: 2000, 3000, 6000, 9000
Certification: EN 10204 3.1 / 3.2, NDT reports, TPI

Fitting Types

The Full Range

Dimensions to ASME B16.9 for butt-weld fittings and B16.11 for forged socket-weld and threaded fittings.

90° Elbow

Turns a line through a right angle. Long radius (1.5D) is standard; short radius (1D) where space is tight.

LR & SR · ½" – 48"

45° Elbow

Gentler change of direction for offsets and routing around obstructions, with lower pressure drop than a 90°.

LR · ½" – 48"

Equal & Reducing Tee

Takes a 90° branch from the run. Equal tees have the same branch size; reducing tees have a smaller outlet.

Equal · Reducing

Concentric Reducer

Changes pipe size while keeping both ends on the same centreline – the default for vertical runs.

Same centreline

Eccentric Reducer

Offset centreline keeps one side flat – used at pump suctions and in horizontal lines to avoid trapping air or liquid.

Flat on top or bottom

End Cap

Closes the end of a line permanently, for terminations, future tie-ins and pressure testing.

½" – 48"

Cross

Four-way fitting with two opposed branches – used in fire protection loops and headers.

Equal · Reducing

Stub End

Welded to the pipe and used with a loose lap joint flange, so the flange can rotate for bolt alignment – and stays out of contact with the fluid.

Type A · B · C

Pipe Bends

Large-radius 3D and 5D bends for pigging, slurry and low-turbulence flow, made by hot induction bending.

3D · 5D · custom radius

Branch Outlets

Weldolet, sockolet, threadolet and elbolet – integrally reinforced outlets welded directly onto the run pipe.

MSS SP-97

Couplings & Unions

Full and half couplings, unions, plugs, bushes and nipples in forged socket-weld and threaded construction.

Class 3000 · 6000 · 9000

Laterals & Specials

45° laterals, reducing crosses, mitre bends and fabricated specials made to drawing.

Made to order

Ends & Classes

How the Fitting Connects

Butt-weld fittings are matched to pipe schedule; forged fittings are rated by pressure class.

BW

Butt Weld

The fitting is bevelled and welded directly to the pipe, giving a smooth full-bore joint with no crevice – the strongest connection and the standard for larger sizes and critical service.

Sizes ½" to 48" and above
Thickness matched to pipe schedule (5S – XXS)
Standards ASME B16.9, MSS SP-43 (light wall)

SW

Socket Weld

The pipe slots into a machined socket and is fillet welded on the outside. Quick to fit and well suited to small-bore, high-pressure lines.

Sizes ⅛" to 4"
Class 3000, 6000, 9000
Standards ASME B16.11

THD

Threaded

Screwed connection (NPT or BSP) for lines that must be dismantled, for utilities and where welding is not permitted.

Sizes ⅛" to 4"
Class 2000, 3000, 6000
Standards ASME B16.11, B1.20.1 threads

Choosing Radius & Reducer Type

Option	Dimension	Choose it when
Long radius elbow (LR)	Centre-to-face = 1.5 × NPS	Default choice – lower pressure drop and less erosion
Short radius elbow (SR)	Centre-to-face = 1.0 × NPS	Space is restricted; accepts higher pressure drop
3D / 5D bend	Radius = 3 or 5 × pipe diameter	Pigging, slurries, abrasive or high-velocity flow
Concentric reducer	Both ends on one centreline	Vertical lines and pump discharge
Eccentric reducer	Offset centreline, one side flat	Horizontal lines – flat side up avoids air pockets at pump suction; flat side down aids drainage

Materials & Grades

Grades We Supply in Fittings

Fitting grades are the wrought equivalents of the pipe grades – "WP" for wrought pipe fittings, "F" for forged.

Material Family	Grades	Standards	Typical Service
Austenitic Stainless Steel	WP304, WP304L, WP316, WP316L, WP321, WP347 (forged: F304/L, F316/L)	ASTM A403, A182	Chemical, food & dairy, pharma, general process
Duplex & Super Duplex	WPS31803, WPS32205, WPS32750, WPS32760 (forged: F51, F53, F55)	ASTM A815, A182	Seawater, desalination, oil & gas, chemical tankers
Nickel Alloys	Inconel 600 / 625, Monel 400, Hastelloy C-276 / C-22	ASTM B366, B564	Severe corrosion, high temperature, FGD, sour service
Carbon Steel	WPB, WPC (forged: A105)	ASTM A234, A105	Steam, water, oil, general and structural piping
Alloy Steel	WP11, WP22, WP5, WP9, WP91 (forged: F11, F22, F5, F9, F91)	ASTM A234, A182	Boilers, superheaters, refinery high-temperature lines
Low-Temperature Steel	WPL6, WPL3 (forged: LF2, LF3)	ASTM A420, A350	LPG, cryogenic and cold-climate piping
Titanium	Grade 2, Grade 5	ASTM B363, B381	Seawater, chemical plant, desalination
Copper Alloys & Aluminium	Cupro-nickel 90/10 & 70/30 (ASTM B466 fittings), C11000, C26000, 6061	ASTM B466, B16, B209	Seawater lines, plumbing, heat transfer, light-duty lines

Full Grade Details Equivalent Grades Ask for a Grade

Size Range

Sizes, Schedules & Classes

Fittings are supplied to match the pipe they join – same grade, same wall.

Butt-Weld Fittings

Size: NPS ½" – 48" (larger fabricated to order)
Wall: Sch 5S, 10S, 40, 80, 120, 160, XXS
Construction: Seamless or welded
Bevel: 30° ± 5° as per ASME B16.25

Forged Fittings

Size: NPS ⅛" – 4"
Socket weld: Class 3000, 6000, 9000
Threaded: Class 2000, 3000, 6000
Threads: NPT (ASME B1.20.1) or BSP

Finish & Marking

Pickled & passivated
Annealed
Shot blasted
Mirror polished*
Black / painted (CS)

Each fitting is marked with manufacturer, material grade, size, schedule and heat number as required by the standard. *On request.

Standards

Specifications We Supply To

Material specification plus dimensional standard – both are stated on the order and the certificate.

ASME B16.9Factory-made wrought butt-welding fittings – dimensions & tolerances

ASME B16.11Forged fittings, socket-welding and threaded

ASME B16.25Butt-welding ends – bevel preparation

MSS SP-43Light-wall stainless butt-weld fittings (Sch 5S / 10S)

MSS SP-97Integrally reinforced forged branch outlets (olets)

ASTM A403Wrought austenitic stainless steel piping fittings

ASTM A815Duplex, ferritic and martensitic stainless fittings

ASTM A234Carbon and alloy steel fittings for moderate and high temperature

ASTM A420Carbon and alloy steel fittings for low-temperature service

ASTM A182Forged stainless and alloy fittings, flanges and valve parts

ASTM B366Factory-made wrought nickel-alloy fittings

EN 10253European butt-welding pipe fittings (on request)

See the full standards directory

Manufacturing

How Fittings Are Made

Butt-weld fittings are formed from pipe or plate; forged fittings are shaped from solid bar.

01

Raw Material & Cutting

Pipe, plate or round bar of the ordered grade is cut to the blank size, carrying its heat number forward to the finished fitting.
02

Forming

Elbows are hot formed by pushing pipe over a mandrel; tees are cold drawn or hydraulically bulged; reducers are formed by necking or expanding; forged fittings are die forged from bar.
03

Heat Treatment

Forming work is relieved by solution annealing (austenitic and duplex grades) or normalising and tempering (carbon and alloy steel), restoring the required properties.
04

Machining & Bevelling

Ends are machined – weld bevels to ASME B16.25, sockets bored to B16.11, or threads cut to NPT/BSP – and dimensions brought within tolerance.
05

Pickling & Finishing

Stainless and nickel fittings are pickled and passivated; carbon steel is shot blasted and may be painted or oiled for protection.
06

Inspection, Marking & Packing

Dimensional and NDT inspection, marking with grade, size, schedule and heat number, then packing in boxes, drums or crates.

Testing & Inspection

Checked Before Dispatch

Material tests on the certificate, plus NDT and dimensional checks on request.

Chemical Analysis

Composition of the heat used for the fitting, reported on the mill test certificate.

ASTM E415
ASTM E1086

Mechanical Testing

Tensile and hardness testing after heat treatment; impact testing for low-temperature grades.

ASTM A370
ASTM E23

Dye Penetrant & MPI

Surface examination of welds and machined areas for cracks and discontinuities.

ASTM E165
ASTM E709

Radiography & UT

Volumetric examination of welded fittings and heavy sections, to the extent your specification requires.

ASME Sec. V
ASTM E213

Corrosion Testing

Intergranular corrosion for stainless; ferrite count and intermetallic checks for duplex fittings.

ASTM A262
ASTM A923

Dimensional Inspection

Centre-to-end, outside diameter, wall thickness, bevel angle and socket depth checked to the dimensional standard.

ASME B16.9
ASME B16.11

PMI

Positive material identification by XRF or OES – confirms the alloy of every fitting before dispatch.

XRF / OES

Certification

Mill test certificates as per EN 10204 3.1 (3.2 with third-party inspection), with heat traceability.

EN 10204
TPI on request

Packing & Delivery

Protected in Transit

Small items secured, large fittings crated – bevels and threads kept undamaged.

Boxes & Crates

Forged fittings in cartons or drums; large butt-weld fittings in wooden crates or pallets for export.

Bevel & Thread Guards

Weld bevels are protected; threaded ends receive caps or plugs so the threads arrive undamaged.

No Iron Contamination

Stainless and nickel fittings are wrapped and handled separately from carbon steel items.

Marking & Tags

Each fitting carries its grade, size, schedule and heat number; packages are tagged to match the certificate.

Applications

Where These Fittings Are Used

Anywhere pipe changes direction, size or branches – across process and utility systems.

Oil & Gas / Refineries

Process piping, flowlines, headers and manifolds

Chemical & Petrochemical

Corrosive service in stainless, duplex and nickel alloys

Power Plants

Steam, feedwater and high-temperature alloy lines

Pharma, Food & Dairy

Hygienic process lines and CIP systems

Water & Desalination

Seawater intake, RO skids, firewater loops

Fire Protection

Sprinkler and hydrant networks with tees and crosses

Marine & Shipbuilding

Ballast, bilge and seawater systems

Fabrication & Job Work

Skid builders, spool fabricators and maintenance shops

How to Order

What to Specify in Your Enquiry

Send these details and we can quote accurately – usually the same working day.

1
Fitting type90° elbow, tee, reducer, cap, cross, stub end, olet…
2
Material gradee.g. ASTM A403 WP316L or A234 WPB
3
SizeNPS; for reducers and reducing tees give both sizes
4
Thickness or classSchedule for butt weld; Class 3000/6000/9000 for forged
5
End typeButt weld, socket weld or threaded (NPT / BSP)
6
RadiusLong radius, short radius, or 3D / 5D bend
7
Quantity & certificationPieces, EN 10204 3.1 / 3.2, NDT, TPI

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between long radius and short radius elbows?

A long radius (LR) elbow has a centre-to-face dimension of 1.5 times the nominal pipe size; a short radius (SR) elbow is 1.0 times. LR is the default because the gentler turn means lower pressure drop and less erosion. SR is used where space is tight and the extra pressure drop is acceptable.

When should I use an eccentric rather than a concentric reducer?

Use an eccentric reducer in horizontal lines. With the flat side on top it prevents air pockets forming at a pump suction; with the flat side at the bottom it allows the line to drain. Concentric reducers keep both ends on the same centreline and suit vertical runs.

Butt weld, socket weld or threaded – which should I choose?

Butt weld gives the strongest, full-bore joint with no crevice and is standard for larger sizes and critical service. Socket weld suits small-bore high-pressure lines and is quicker to fit. Threaded connections are for utilities, low-pressure lines, or where welding is not permitted and the joint may need dismantling.

What does Class 3000, 6000 or 9000 mean?

They are pressure classes for forged fittings under ASME B16.11 – a higher class means a heavier body and a higher pressure rating. As a guide, socket-weld fittings are commonly matched as Class 3000 with Sch 80 pipe and Class 6000 with Sch 160 pipe; always confirm against the applicable design code.

What is a stub end used for?

A stub end is welded to the pipe and used with a loose lap joint flange. The flange can rotate freely for bolt hole alignment and never touches the fluid, so an expensive alloy stub end can be paired with a cheaper carbon steel flange.

Can you supply fittings matching our pipe certificate?

Yes. Where required we supply pipe, fittings and flanges of the same grade together, each with its own mill test certificate and heat number, so the whole spool is traceable.