Pneumatic Fittings
If you are working with any pressurised gas system then you’ll certainly need pneumatic fittings. They are mechanical components that link together diverse sections of tubing, pipe, or hose, allowing air or gas to flow through your system from one part to another. These fittings typically have tighter seals and lower pressure requirements than hydraulic fittings.
Although pneumatic fittings are only a small part of the overall pneumatic system design, they are undoubtedly one of the most important. Pneumatic fittings, along with their tubes, pipes and hoses, connect all other vital components. They play a critical role in ensuring your pneumatic system operates safely and efficiently while helping to maintain air pressure and prevent leaks.
Pneumatic Fitting Types
Pneumatic fittings are made from various materials such as brass, stainless steel, or plastic. Fittings are also available in different shapes and sizes to suit a wide range of applications. Some of the most common types of pneumatic fittings include:
Straight Pneumatic Fittings
Straight fittings are the simplest type of fitting. They are designed to form a solid 180° connection between parts. Straight pneumatic fittings typically have Threaded-to-Push-In or Push-In-to-Push-In connection types.
Elbow Pneumatic Fittings
Elbow fittings allow the direction of flow to change at various angles. The most common are 90° and 45°. These fittings come in various connectivity options, such as Threaded-to-Push-In, Threaded-to-Threaded, or Push-In-to-Push-In.
T Pneumatic Fittings & Y Pneumatic Fittings
T and Y fittings connect three or four flow divisions into T or Y-shaped intersections. They allow the air or gas to merge or split apart. These fittings come in various connection options, including Threaded-to-Push-In, Threaded-to-Threaded, or Push-In-to-Push-In.
Materials used for these pneumatic fittings include:
- Acetal Copolymer
- Aluminium Alloy
- Brass
- Die Cast Zinc
- Glass Reinforced Nylon
- Nickel Plated Brass
- Nitrile (O-Ring)
- Nylon
- PBT
- Plastic
- Polybutylene (PBT)
- Polymer
- Polyoxymethylene
- Polypropylene
- Stainless Steel
- Steel
- Technical Polymer
- Zinc Plated Steel
These pneumatic fittings are available in a wide range of sizes. From small diameters suitable for compact machines to larger connections for industrial applications, each size is designed to optimise airflow and improve system efficiency. Common inlet and outlet port sizes are carefully matched to your equipment's specifications to enhance compatibility and system performance, thereby reducing the risk of leaks and maintaining consistent pressure throughout the system.
Pneumatic Fitting Connection Types
As we mentioned before, pneumatic fittings come in various shapes and sizes and can be connected in different ways. The most common types of connections are:
Threaded
This type of fitting has screw threads on the inner (female) or outer (male) surfaces. They are designed to connect to other threaded pneumatic fittings, ensuring a secure connection ideal for permanent installations. However, threaded fittings can’t be directly connected to the tubing.
Push-In
This type of fitting is one of the most common connection types used in the market today. Tool-free, they provide a secure and reliable connection. Their easy connection and release mechanism makes Push-in fittings quick and simple to use. Push-in fittings are perfect for applications where frequent connection and disconnection are required.
Additional Features of Pneumatic Fittings
Our pneumatic fittings are engineered to meet the diverse needs of modern industries, ensuring high performance under varying conditions:
- Standard and High-Pressure Versions: Catering to different system pressures, our pneumatic connectors are available in standard designs for general applications and high-pressure versions for more demanding systems that require handling of higher pressure levels without compromising system integrity.
- Chemical-Resistant: Ideal for environments exposed to harsh chemicals, these pneumatic fittings are manufactured from materials like stainless steel and specific polymers that resist corrosion, ensuring longevity and reliability.
- Hydrolysis-Resistant: Particularly useful in humid or wet conditions, our hydrolysis-resistant pneumatic connectors prevent breakdown when exposed to water, maintaining their structural integrity and functionality over time.
- Food-Safe: Made from materials that meet stringent safety standards, these pneumatic fittings are suitable for use in food and beverage processing industries, ensuring no toxic contaminants enter the product stream.
- Anti-Static: Essential in environments where static electricity could pose explosion risks, such as in fuel handling or chemical processing, our anti-static pneumatic fittings help prevent static build-up, ensuring a safer workplace.
- Flame-Retardant: For applications requiring stringent safety measures against fire hazards, such as in the aerospace and automotive industries, our flame-retardant pneumatic fittings provide an additional layer of safety by inhibiting the spread of flames.
Industrial Applications of Pneumatic Fittings
Pneumatic fittings play a pivotal role in various sectors, supporting critical applications with their robust performance:
- Manufacturing: Used extensively in automated machinery and assembly lines, pneumatic fittings help operate pneumatic tools and systems essential for production processes, enhancing operational speed and precision.
- Automotive: Crucial in production lines for assembling vehicles, these connectors are used in applications ranging from painting to assembly, where precision and reliability are paramount.
- Healthcare: In medical facilities, pneumatic fittings are used in devices like air beds and ventilators, where they ensure reliable and contamination-free air delivery, which is critical for patient care.
- Food Processing: Ensuring safe and efficient transport of ingredients and products, our food-safe pneumatic fittings are used in systems for mixing, dispensing, and packaging, adhering to the highest standards of hygiene and safety.
- Aerospace: In an industry where every component must meet the highest standards of safety and performance, our fittings are used in air supply systems and maintenance equipment, contributing to the overall safety and efficiency of aerospace operations.
These applications demonstrate the versatility and importance of our pneumatic fittings in ensuring industrial efficiency, safety, and compliance with rigorous standards. For more information, check out our guide on pneumatic fittings.
Buying Pneumatic Fittings: Ordering & Delivery Information for Australia
RS offers prompt delivery on a comprehensive range of products within Australia, including flexible hose pipes, air compressor hose, and pneumatic fittings from industry-leading brands like RS PRO, Festo, SMC, Legris, and Norgren. For more details on our delivery services and fees, please refer to our Delivery Information page.