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How To Specify & Order Class 150 Stainless Steel Threaded Pipe Fittings
How To Specify & Order Class 150 Stainless Steel Threaded Pipe Fittings
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There are two major categories of standards for Stainless Steel (SS) Threaded Pipe Fittings. The
first defines the dimensions and the second defines the material. Both are important for
consistent quality and fit. The standards in this report are used primarily in the USA.
The three most trusted organizations tasked with writing pipe fitting standards are ASTM, ANSI
and ISO.
ASTM – American Society of the International Association for Testing and Materials
ANSI – American National Standards Institute
ISO – International Organization for Standardization.
MSS – Manufacturers Standardization Society has further built upon the standards written by
ASTM, ANSI and ISO by filling gaps and writing more detailed definitions and requirements.
ASME pipe fitting standards are compiled from these organization’s standards.
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Class 150 SS threaded fitting specifications should include the following.
1) Defined Connections
2) Defined Pressure Class
3) Defined Material Type
Connections
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Pressure Class
The working pressure of a fitting will be limited by the material type and the thickness.
Thicker cast fittings can sustain higher pressures. But a forging can sustain higher
pressures than a casting of equal thickness. Generally speaking, the higher the pressure
class the thicker the fitting.
Dimensional standards and tolerances are used to define the pressure class (see the next
section.)
Threaded SS pipe fittings are readily available in Class 150, 1000, 2000, 3000, 6000 and
9000. It is important to note that the pressure class does not represent the actual allowable
working pressure. For critical applications, please consult a qualified engineer to determine
the proper material and pressure class.
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Pressure Class - additional information
Pipe fittings, flanges and valves are classified by their pressure class.
Unfortunately the actual working pressures will vary between these
products with the same pressure class. For example, a class 150
threaded fitting has different working pressures and pressure limits
than a class 150 valve or a class 150 flange.
All piping product pressure limits will vary based on internal and
external temperatures. So a Class 150 fitting may have a maximum
working pressure of 200 PSI at 70 deg F. But as the temperature
increases, that maximum working pressure will decrease.
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Class 150 Fitting Dimensional Standards
1) No standard – these are probably fine for the fountain in your fish
pond.
3) ISO 49-1983 (E) – this standard was originally written for iron
fittings. It was adopted at a time when no other SS fitting standard was
available. These are thicker than the ISO 4144 and still very common
today.
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Class 150 Fitting Dimensional Standards - continued
4) ANSI B16.3 - this standard was originally written for iron fittings. It was adopted by a
few US manufacturers at a time when no other SS fitting standard was available.
5) MSS SP-114 – this was the first standard specifically written for class 150 SS fittings. It
is based on ANSI B16.3 dimensions with further requirements. This is the most
comprehensive standard used today.
Please contact the listed organization for specific dimensions and tolerances.
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Material Standards
Stainless Steel is produced in many different grades, each with its own unique chemical and
mechanical properties. There are two commonly produced material grades (often referred to
as “type”) available in SS Class 150 threaded fittings, 304 and 316. These are “on the shelf”
items in every major metropolitan area in North America. “L” grades are not readily available
in cast fittings.
Cast stainless steel pipe fittings should meet the ASTM A351 standard. The two material
grades are CF8 (304) and CF8M (316.) CF8 and CF8M are the correct designations for cast
stainless grades, however type 304 and 316 are commonly used in lieu of these designations.
Most Class 150 fittings are cast, although some bushings, caps, plugs and couplings are made
from ASTM A182 or A276 bar stock. In nearly every application the bar stock fitting is better
than the cast.
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Fitting Shapes, Configurations and Descriptions
Manufacturers vary in the shapes that each produces. Some only produce a few shapes and
sizes. I am not aware of a single manufacturer that produces all the shapes and sizes in all
the different standards and grades.
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Fitting Shapes, Configurations and Descriptions - continued
This is a list of Class 150 1/8” - 4” SS fitting configuration descriptions. Please note not all
configurations are available in all pipe sizes.
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The difference between failure and success is doing a thing nearly right and doing it exactly right.
Edward Simmons
I have always wanted to be somebody, but I see now I should have been more specific.
Lily Tomlin
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Putting it all together -
Class 150 fittings shall meet MSS SP-114 standards for sizes 1/8” thru 4”. Threads shall meet ANSI B1.20.1.
Material is ASTM A351 grade CF8M or ASTM A182 grade 316 or ASTM A276 grade 316.
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Most stainless piping applications are for sanitary or corrosion resistance.
These are usually critical applications.
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