Hardware Glossary: Fittings, Valves, Tubing & Fluid Handling Parts

Industrial fittings and fluid-handling components come in many different sizes, materials and connection styles. Understanding terms such as NPT, BSP, tri-clamp, camlock, hose barb and push-to-connect can help you select compatible parts and avoid costly connection mistakes.

This hardware glossary explains common pipe fittings, stainless steel fittings, sanitary connections, valves, tubing, pumps, gaskets and fluid-handling parts. It is designed for food and beverage processing, dairy systems, water filtration, plumbing, agriculture, chemical processing, manufacturing and other commercial or industrial applications.

Use this guide to compare connection types, identify fitting styles and understand terminology commonly used when purchasing stainless steel hardware and fluid-handling equipment.

Pipe Threads and Threaded Fittings

Adapter

A fitting used to connect components with different sizes, thread types or connection styles.

BSP

British Standard Pipe is a family of pipe threads commonly found on imported equipment. BSP fittings are available with parallel or tapered threads and are generally not interchangeable with NPT fittings.

BSPP

British Standard Pipe Parallel uses straight threads. A gasket, bonded washer or O-ring normally creates the seal rather than the threads.

BSPT

British Standard Pipe Taper uses tapered threads that tighten as the male and female fittings are threaded together.

Bulkhead Fitting

A fitting designed to create a connection through the wall of a tank, vessel, container or enclosure.

Bushing

A threaded reducer used to change a larger female pipe-thread opening to a smaller connection size.

Cap

A fitting used to close the end of a male-threaded pipe, nipple or connection.

Close Nipple

A short pipe nipple with male threads extending across most or all of its length.

Coupling

A female-threaded fitting used to connect two male-threaded pipes, nipples or components.

Cross

A four-way fitting used to divide or combine the flow of liquid, air or gas.

Elbow

A fitting that changes the direction of a pipe or fluid line. Common configurations include 45-degree and 90-degree elbows.

Female Thread

An internal thread designed to accept a compatible male-threaded fitting.

FNPT

Female National Pipe Taper describes an internal NPT connection.

FPT

Female Pipe Thread is a general product label commonly used for a female NPT connection in North America.

Hex Nipple

A male-threaded adapter with a hexagonal centre that can be tightened using a wrench.

Locknut

A nut used to secure bulkheads, valves, heating elements and other components through a tank or vessel wall.

Male Thread

An external thread designed to screw into a compatible female-threaded fitting.

MNPT

Male National Pipe Taper describes an external NPT connection.

MPT

Male Pipe Thread is a general product label commonly used for a male NPT connection in North America.

Nipple

A short length of pipe with male threads on both ends, used to join two female-threaded components.

Nominal Size

A standardized size designation used to identify pipe, tubing or fittings. The nominal size may not equal the exact measured diameter.

NPS

National Pipe Straight uses parallel rather than tapered threads. A gasket, O-ring or separate sealing surface may be required.

NPT

National Pipe Taper is a tapered pipe-thread standard widely used throughout North America for valves, pumps, vessels, plumbing and fluid-handling equipment.

Plug

A male-threaded fitting used to close a female-threaded opening.

Reducer

A fitting used to connect pipes, tubing or equipment with two different connection sizes.

Socket

An opening designed to receive another component, such as a pipe, tube, plug or fitting.

Street Elbow

An elbow with a male connection on one end and a female connection on the other.

Tee

A three-way fitting used to divide, combine or redirect liquid, air or gas flow.

Thread Pitch

The distance between individual threads. Two fittings with similar diameters may still be incompatible if they have different thread pitches.

Thread Sealant

A tape or compound applied to compatible pipe threads to help create a leak-resistant connection.

TPI

Threads per inch indicates how many thread peaks occur within one inch of a threaded component.

Union

A fitting that allows two sections of pipe or equipment to be disconnected without rotating the attached components.

Sanitary and Tri-Clamp Fittings

Butt-Weld Fitting

A stainless steel fitting designed to be permanently welded directly to compatible tubing, pipe or process equipment.

Clamp

The hinged component that pulls two sanitary ferrules together. The clamp supplies pressure while the gasket creates the seal.

Concentric Reducer

A reducer that keeps the smaller and larger connections centred along the same axis.

Dead Leg

An area of a piping or processing system where liquid can become trapped or receive insufficient cleaning flow.

Eccentric Reducer

A reducer with offset centre lines. It can help prevent air pockets or unwanted liquid accumulation in horizontal piping.

Ferrule

The flanged end of a sanitary fitting. Two compatible ferrules are joined using a sanitary gasket and clamp.

Sanitary Connection

A connection designed with smooth, accessible surfaces that support cleaning and sanitation in food, beverage, dairy, pharmaceutical and laboratory systems.

Sanitary Gasket

A replaceable seal positioned between two sanitary ferrules. Common materials include silicone, EPDM, PTFE and FKM.

Sanitary Spool

A straight section of stainless steel tubing with sanitary ferrules installed on both ends.

Surface Finish

The measured smoothness of a metal surface. Smoother wetted surfaces are generally easier to clean and less likely to retain residue.

Tri-Clamp

A sanitary connection consisting of two matching ferrules, a gasket and a clamp. Tri-clamp fittings allow process equipment to be assembled and disassembled without threaded connections.

Tri-Clover

A trade name commonly associated with sanitary clamp fittings. The term is often used conversationally when referring to tri-clamp hardware.

Weld Ferrule

A sanitary ferrule designed to be permanently welded onto a tank, pipe, tube or processing vessel.

Wetted Surface

Any surface of a fitting, valve, pump, seal or other component that directly contacts the liquid or gas being processed.

Camlocks and Quick Disconnects

Cam Arm

A locking lever on a camlock coupler. Closing both arms secures the camlock adapter against the internal gasket.

Camlock

A quick-connect fitting that uses two cam arms to secure a male adapter inside a female coupler. Camlocks are commonly used with pumps, tanks, hoses, irrigation and industrial fluid-transfer equipment.

Camlock Adapter

The male portion of a camlock connection. The adapter inserts into a compatible camlock coupler.

Camlock Coupler

The female portion of a camlock connection containing the sealing gasket and locking cam arms.

Dust Cap

A female camlock component used to cover and protect a male camlock adapter when the connection is not in use.

Dust Plug

A male camlock component used to close and protect a female camlock coupler.

Dry-Break Connection

A quick-disconnect connection designed to reduce leakage or product loss when its two halves are separated.

Quick Disconnect

A reusable connection that allows hose, tubing and equipment to be attached or removed without unscrewing threaded fittings.

Tubing, Hose and Push-Fit Connections

Barbed Fitting

A fitting with raised ridges that grip the inside of flexible tubing. Hose-barb size normally corresponds to the tubing’s inside diameter.

Braided Tubing

Flexible tubing reinforced with an internal braid to provide additional pressure resistance and help reduce expansion.

Compression Fitting

A fitting that seals around rigid or semi-rigid tubing using a nut and compression sleeve or ferrule. Sizing is generally based on tubing outside diameter.

Duotight

A push-fit connection system designed for compatible metric and fractional tubing. Tubing is inserted into the fitting and held by an internal collet.

Ear Clamp

A stepless hose clamp tightened by compressing its raised ear with an appropriate installation tool.

EVA Barrier Tubing

Multi-layer tubing designed to reduce gas loss, oxygen ingress, moisture transfer and flavour or odour migration.

Flare Fitting

A fitting that creates a seal where two shaped surfaces are compressed together. The flare angle and thread type must match.

Flexible Hose

A bendable fluid-transfer line used to connect pumps, tanks, filters, valves and other processing equipment.

Hose Assembly

A completed hose with fittings, clamps or connectors installed on one or both ends.

Hose Barb

A ridged fitting inserted into flexible hose or tubing and commonly secured with a hose clamp.

Hose Clamp

A metal clamp used to secure flexible hose or tubing over a barbed fitting.

ID

Inside diameter is the measurement across the interior of tubing, hose or pipe.

OD

Outside diameter is the measurement across the exterior of tubing, hose or pipe.

Pinch Clamp

A single-use or limited-use hose clamp tightened by pinching part of the clamp around the tubing.

Push-Fit Connection

A connection that grips compatible tubing when it is pushed into the fitting. Push-fit connectors are normally selected according to tubing outside diameter.

Reinforced Silicone Hose

Flexible silicone hose containing a reinforcing layer to help resist expansion, kinking and pressure.

Silicone Tubing

Flexible tubing commonly selected for its temperature range and suitability for certain food, beverage, laboratory and processing applications.

Swivel Nut

A rotating threaded nut that can be tightened without twisting the attached hose or tubing.

Tube Insert

A small support placed inside soft tubing to help prevent deformation when used with certain push-fit or compression fittings.

Wall Thickness

The thickness of the tubing material between its inside and outside diameters. Wall thickness affects flexibility, pressure capacity and kink resistance.

Worm-Gear Clamp

An adjustable hose clamp tightened with a screw that moves a slotted metal band.

Valves and Flow-Control Components

Actuated Valve

A valve operated by an electric, pneumatic or hydraulic actuator rather than manually.

Ball Valve

A shutoff valve containing a rotating ball with an opening through its centre. A quarter turn normally moves the valve between open and closed positions.

Butterfly Valve

A compact valve that controls flow using a rotating disc inside the valve body. Sanitary butterfly valves are frequently used in food and liquid-processing systems.

Check Valve

A one-way valve designed to prevent liquid or gas from flowing backwards through a system.

Control Valve

A valve used to regulate flow, pressure, temperature or liquid level within a process system.

Diaphragm Valve

A valve that uses a flexible diaphragm to isolate and control the fluid path.

Drain Valve

A valve installed at a low point to remove liquid from a tank, vessel, filter or piping system.

Flow Control

The process of starting, stopping or adjusting the movement of liquid or gas through a system.

Full-Port Valve

A ball valve with an internal opening close to the diameter of the connected pipe, helping reduce flow restriction.

Needle Valve

A valve designed for fine flow adjustment using a narrow, tapered internal stem.

Pressure-Reducing Valve

A valve designed to reduce higher inlet pressure to a controlled lower outlet pressure.

Pressure Relief Valve

A safety valve designed to release pressure when a vessel or system exceeds a specified level.

Solenoid Valve

An electrically operated valve used in automated liquid, air and gas-control systems.

Three-Piece Ball Valve

A serviceable ball valve with a centre body that can be removed from between its two end connections.

Three-Way Valve

A valve with three ports used to divert, combine or select between different flow paths.

Valve Seat

The internal sealing surface against which the valve’s closing component rests.

Pumps, Pressure and Measurement

Bar

A metric unit used to measure pressure. One bar is approximately equal to normal atmospheric pressure at sea level.

Burst Pressure

The pressure at which a component is expected to rupture or permanently fail. Burst pressure is not the same as safe working pressure.

Cavitation

The formation and collapse of vapour bubbles inside a pump, often caused by restricted inlet flow, excessive liquid temperature or insufficient inlet pressure.

Centrifugal Pump

A pump that uses a rotating impeller to move liquid through a system.

Flow Meter

An instrument used to measure the volume or rate of liquid or gas moving through a system.

Flow Rate

The volume of liquid or gas moving through a system over a specific period, commonly expressed in litres or gallons per minute.

Head Pressure

A measurement used to describe the resistance a pump must overcome to move liquid vertically and through system restrictions.

Impeller

The rotating component inside a centrifugal pump that transfers energy to the liquid.

Positive-Displacement Pump

A pump that moves a measured amount of fluid during each operating cycle.

Pressure Gauge

An instrument that displays the pressure inside a tank, pipe, filter, pump or processing system.

Pressure Rating

The maximum pressure a component is designed to handle under specified operating conditions. Temperature can affect the allowable working pressure.

Priming

Filling a pump and inlet line with liquid before operation. Many centrifugal pumps are not self-priming.

PSI

Pounds per square inch is a common unit used to measure liquid, air and gas pressure.

Self-Priming Pump

A pump designed to evacuate air from its inlet line and begin moving liquid under the manufacturer’s specified operating conditions.

Sight Glass

A transparent section or level indicator that allows an operator to visually inspect liquid flow, clarity or vessel level.

Thermometer

An instrument used to measure temperature. Common styles include dial, digital, probe and sanitary thermometers.

Thermowell

A sealed metal tube that allows a temperature probe to measure inside a tank, pipe or vessel without directly contacting the process material.

Vacuum Rating

The level of negative pressure a hose, fitting, vessel or component is designed to withstand without collapsing or failing.

Working Pressure

The maximum recommended operating pressure for a component under specified temperature and service conditions.

Gaskets, Seals and Hardware Materials

304 Stainless Steel

A widely used stainless steel grade suitable for many fittings, valves, tanks and general food-processing or industrial applications.

316 Stainless Steel

A stainless steel grade containing molybdenum for increased resistance in certain corrosive environments.

Buna-N

A nitrile rubber commonly used for O-rings and seals. Compatibility should be checked against the fluid, cleaner, temperature and pressure involved.

Corrosion Resistance

The ability of a material to resist deterioration caused by moisture, chemicals or its operating environment.

EPDM

A durable elastomer frequently used for sanitary gaskets, O-rings and seals in water and processing systems.

FKM

A fluoroelastomer used for specialized seals and gaskets requiring particular chemical or temperature resistance. Viton is a well-known FKM brand name.

Food-Grade

A general description for materials intended for appropriate food or beverage contact. Suitability still depends on the specific temperature, pressure, cleaning chemicals and application.

Gasket

A flat or shaped seal compressed between two surfaces to help prevent liquid or gas leakage.

NBR

Nitrile butadiene rubber is an elastomer commonly used for seals and O-rings. It is also known as Buna-N.

O-Ring

A circular elastomer seal used in pumps, valves, filters, quick disconnects and other hardware assemblies.

Passivation

A chemical treatment used to improve or restore the protective chromium-rich surface layer of stainless steel.

PTFE

Polytetrafluoroethylene is a low-friction fluoropolymer used in gaskets, valve seats, seals and thread-sealing tape.

PTFE Thread Tape

A thin sealing tape wrapped around compatible male pipe threads before assembly to help create a leak-resistant connection.

Seal

A component used to help prevent liquid or gas from escaping between moving or stationary surfaces.

Silicone Gasket

A flexible gasket used in sanitary fittings, vessels and processing equipment. Its suitability depends on temperature, pressure, chemical exposure and application.

Washer

A flat component placed between connected parts to distribute pressure, provide spacing or help create a seal.

General Fluid-Handling Terms

CIP

Clean-in-place describes a method of cleaning tanks, pipes and process equipment without fully disassembling the system.

Compatibility

The ability of fittings, tubing, seals and equipment to function together based on size, thread, material, pressure, temperature and chemical exposure.

Connection Size

The nominal measurement used to identify the inlet or outlet of a fitting, valve, pump or other component.

Fluid Handling

The movement, control, measurement and storage of liquids or gases using pumps, piping, hose, valves, tanks and fittings.

Manifold

A component that divides one inlet into multiple outlets or combines several lines into a shared connection.

Process Piping

A piping system used to transport liquids, gases, ingredients, chemicals or other materials during manufacturing or processing.

Sanitary Processing

Processing that uses equipment and procedures designed to support cleaning, sanitation and contamination control.

Schedule

A standardized designation related to pipe wall thickness. Pipe with the same nominal size can have different wall thicknesses depending on its schedule.

System Pressure

The pressure present within a piping, pumping, filtration or processing system during operation.

Transfer Line

A hose, tube or pipe used to move liquid or gas between tanks, pumps, filters or processing equipment.

Choosing the Correct Fittings and Fluid-Handling Hardware

Before ordering fittings, valves, tubing or other fluid-handling hardware, confirm the connection type, thread standard, nominal size, tubing dimensions, material, temperature limit and pressure rating. Two fittings that appear to have the same diameter may use different thread pitches, sealing methods or measurement standards.

When building or repairing a fluid-handling system, check every connection from one end of the system to the other. This helps prevent mismatched NPT and BSP threads, incorrect tubing sizes, incompatible gasket materials and unnecessary adapters.

Operating conditions also matter. Verify that each fitting, valve, hose, gasket and pump is appropriate for the liquid or gas being transferred, as well as the expected temperature, pressure, cleaning chemicals and surrounding environment.

If you are unsure which stainless steel fitting, tri-clamp component, camlock, valve, hose or tubing connector you require, contact Canuck Homebrew Supply with photographs, measurements and information about the intended application.