While brass and stainless steel are commonly used in hydraulic and pneumatic systems, there are benefits to using one over the other. In this blog post, you will learn about the benefits of each, helping you to understand why one may be better than the other for your unique application.
Brass fitting benefits:
- Brass is a malleable metal. It is the best option if you're shaping or molding to fit a particular space. Despite its great malleability, brass is still very durable.
- Brass fittings are chosen for applications with highly corrosive environments because of their strong corrosion resistance against numerous chemicals, water, slurries and the external atmosphere.
- Brass has high-temperature resistance. As with other materials, brass fittings can resist high heat-- however, it has fifteen times the
thermal and
electrical conductivity of stainless steel. (FYI – Brass fittings up to 400°F, 316 stainless steel 1000°F and carbon steel 500 to 800°F depending on the application)
- Brass is made of rigid material, with a wide range of valuable qualities that deliver top performance for supply lines transporting chemicals and gases. Additionally, it has a moderate pressure rating in fittings of up to 3,000 psi. (FYI – Tensile strength of brass is 338 - 469 MPa (megapascals), 304 stainless steel 515-620 MPa and 316 stainless 515-620 MPa)
- Certain brass valves, weld fittings and flanges have the advantage over stainless steel components: they often receive better welds.
- Brass can have a variety of styles for hydraulic applications.
- Brass is the metal of choice for applications that call for small, precise metal components due to its well-known machinability.
Stainless steel fitting benefits:
- Stainless steel is preferable for applications that need fluid management of petroleum and highly acidic liquids. It is inherently more resistant to chemicals and acids.
- Stainless steel can be significantly superior to brass in more hostile saltwater environments.
- Particularly at high pressures, stainless steel is your best option. (FYI – brass fittings are typically rated for 3,000 psi, stainless steel 10,000 psi (some up to 20k psi))
- Stainless steel requires little maintenance and does not need an additional coating. A stainless-steel system's anticipated lifetime is greater than 50 years, reducing system downtime, replacement expenses and maintenance expenditures throughout the installation.
Overall, brass fittings are slightly less expensive than stainless steel fittings. In low-budget scenarios, brass is the better choice where the application requires good corrosion resistance but allows for lower pressure. Brass provides reasonable strength and toughness, good corrosion resistance and ductility, (as well as a significant thermal expansion coefficient) at temperatures up to 400°F.
Brass is a considerably better material for welding than stainless steel because of its chemical composition. Removing the oxide layer from stainless steel is typically required for welding. However, though stainless steel is superior in saltwater environments (offshore oil rigs, ship building, etc.), brass is the better option in most other applications.
In conclusion, both brass and stainless-steel fittings have many benefits. However, brass is the superior) choice over stainless steel in specific applications. It can be used for many things, including brass hydraulic hose fittings, compact brass fittings, compression brass fittings, custom brass fittings and more. Like stainless steel, brass fittings ensure that liquids or gases within your tubes and hoses (are) is properly regulated. Additionally, brass is malleable, durable, (versatile, corrosion resistant and) can withstand moderately high temperatures.
To learn more about fitting materials, visit our specialty alloy composition and applications page.
Steel Pipe Fittings
Steel has been used for making pipe and pipe fittings since years for its durability and strength. Moreover, steel offers high resistance to heat. This property also adds to the popularity of steel for making pipes and pipe fittings. Steel pipes and pipe fittings are widely used in houses and industrial purposes for carrying water, flammable gases, fire sprinkler systems, etc.
As steel pipes tend to rust, they are often mixed with other materials to add to its durability and make it rust resistant.
Buying Tips
- While going for bulk buying of steel pipe fittings, you
should always consider the grade of steel used. The steel grades
vary according to the application.
- The fittings should be rated by standard organizations.
- The internal diameter of fittings should also be checked to
suit a particular application.
Varieties of Steel:
Pipe fittings are made of various types of steel like:
- Galvanized Steel: In order to protect steel from rust and
corrosion, steel is coated in layers of zinc through a chemical
process. Galvanized steel offers resistance to rust and corrosion
and is highly preferred for making pipe fittings and pipe.
Galvanized steel also increase the longevity of pipe fittings.
Fittings made of galvanized steel are available in standard sizes
ranging from 8mm to 150mm. Galvanized pipe fittings are usually
manufactured from seamless tube, forgings or rolled bar or welded
tube following some specific standards.
Galvanized steel
pipe fittings are for all types of piping inside a building.
They are also used in water supply lines, but not in gas pipelines.
-
Carbon Steel: Carbon steel is much more durable and stronger than other varieties of steel, which makes it suitable for making pipe fittings. Also known as plain carbon steel, carbon steel is a malleable and iron-based metal, containing mainly carbon and small amounts of manganese and other elements. Steel is subjected to various processes and can either be cast to shape or wrought into various mill forms from which finished parts are formed, forged, stamped, machined or otherwise shaped. Carbon is the main hardening and strengthening element present in steel, which offers maximum hardness and strength; and decreased ductility and weld-ability.
Carbon steel pipe fittings come in various sizes and shapes.
Again there are some butt-weld carbon fittings, which feature beveled edges and form a channel of lesser depth for the bead of weld that fixes the piece together. Butt-weld fittings are mainly used to join sections of pipe where permanent and welded connections are required. Elbows, reducers, tees, etc are made of butt-weld steel fittings.
Application
of Carbon steel fittings:
Fittings made of carbon steel are used in pipe pipe systems that carry liquids or gases, such as oil, water, natural gas, or steam. Apart from that, carbon steel fittings are highly demanded in construction and maintenance activity in the residential construction, commercial construction, electric-power generation, petroleum refining, shipbuilding and other industrial-use sectors.
Stainless steel: Stainless steel is widely used for making pipe fittings because of the fact that it is highly resistant to oxidation and corrosion in various natural and man-made environments. Stainless steel is actually a ferrous alloy containing minimum 10% chromium. Selection of right grade of stainless steel for a particular application is really important. A range of pipe fittings like tees, unions, elbows, etc are made of stainless steel. Stainless steel
fittings are usually used for household pipelines.
Pipe fittings are made of various types of steel like:Fittings made of carbon steel are used in pipe pipe systems that carry liquids or gases, such as oil, water, natural gas, or steam. Apart from that, carbon steel fittings are highly demanded in construction and maintenance activity in the residential construction, commercial construction, electric-power generation, petroleum refining, shipbuilding and other industrial-use sectors.Stainless steel is widely used for making pipe fittings because of the fact that it is highly resistant to oxidation and corrosion in various natural and man-made environments. Stainless steel is actually a ferrous alloy containing minimum 10% chromium. Selection of right grade of stainless steel for a particular application is really important. A range of pipe fittings like tees, unions, elbows, etc are made of stainless steel. Stainless steel fittings are usually used for household pipelines.