specifications which define the materials and
techniques.
BRAZED CONNECTORS
Silver-brazed connectors are commonly used
for joining nonferrous (copper, brass, and soon)
piping in the pressure and temperature range
where their use is practical. Use of this type of
connector is limited to installations in which the
piping temperature will not exceed 425°F and the
pressure in cold lines will not-exceed 3,000 psi.
The alloy is melted by heating the joint with an
oxyacetylene torch. This causes the alloy insert
to melt and fill the few thousandths of an inch
annular space between the pipe and the fitting.
A fitting of this type which has been removed
from a piping system can be rebrazed into a
system, as in most cases sufficient alloy remains
in the insert groove for a second joint. New alloy
inserts may be obtained for fittings which do not
have sufficient alloy remaining in the insert for
making a new joint.
FLARED CONNECTORS
Flared connectors are commonly used in fluid
power systems containing lines made of tubing.
These connectors provide safe, strong, dependable
connections without the need for threading,
welding, or soldering the tubing. The connector
consists of a fitting, a sleeve, and a nut (fig. 5-15).
The fittings are made of steel, aluminum alloy,
or bronze. The fitting used in a connection should
be made of the same material as that of the sleeve,
the nut, and the tubing. For example, use steel
connectors with steel tubing and aluminum alloy
Figure 5-15.—Flared-tube fitting.
connectors with aluminum alloy tubing. Fittings
are made in union, 45-degree and 90-degree
elbow, tee, and various other shapes (fig. 5-16).
Tees, crosses, and elbows are self-explanatory.
Universal and bulkhead fittings can be mounted
solidly with one outlet of the fitting extending
through a bulkhead and the other outlet(s) posi-
tioned at any angle. Universal means the fitting
can assume the angle required for the specific
installation. Bulkhead means the fitting is long
enough to pass through a bulkhead and is
designed so it can be secured solidly to the
bulkhead.
For connecting to tubing, the ends of the
fittings are threaded with straight machine threads
to correspond with the female threads of the nut.
In some cases, however, one end of the fitting may
be threaded with tapered pipe threads to fit
Figure 5-16.—Flared-tube fittings.
5-13
