Malleable fittings are iron pipe fittings used for plumbing and electrical conduit. They are made from white iron, which is softened through annealing into malleable iron. Blackheart malleable iron is used for plumbing fittings and can be zinc plated for corrosion protection. Malleable fittings are mainly used for high pressure gas and steam lines. Galvanized malleable fittings are used for outdoor electrical conduit applications. They were commonly used in home plumbing until concerns about chemicals leaching into drinking water arose.
Malleable fittings are a type of pipe fitting usually made from iron. These items are commonly used for electrical conduit and various plumbing connections. Malleable siding gets its name from the type of iron it is cast from: white iron. When melted, it is a very brittle metal. Through the annealing process, white iron is softened into one of three forms of malleable iron.
Blackheart malleable iron is used in the manufacture of malleable plumbing fittings. The black heart iron gives the malleable fitting its dark color and these connectors are commonly known as black pipe fittings. In some cases, a malleable fitting is zinc plated to protect the fitting from corrosion. Galvanizing is a process where a zinc coating is applied to the fitting. The malleable pipe fitting is usually threaded to facilitate the assembly of pipes and fittings. Basic joints can be made using hand tools and malleable fittings, while more crucial joints can use thread sealants.
The plumbing industry used malleable pipe and fittings for many years until copper, PVC and PEX pipes became cheaper. Due to concerns about chemicals such as zinc leaching into drinking water, malleable galvanized fittings are no longer commonly found in home plumbing systems. While the malleable fitting is still in use for high pressure applications, modern construction tends to use the least expensive and safest tube fitting options for other applications.
The use of modern malleable fittings is mainly limited to plumbing of high pressure gas and steam lines used for heating and industrial application. Threaded fittings and pipes make malleable fittings suitable for creating tight connections using hand tools and thread sealants. These airtight joints with the ability to withstand high internal pressures are required for the safe delivery of gas or steam. The use of malleable iron pipe and fittings for steam transmission became popular in the United States during the 1840s. At the time, malleable fitting was primarily used in the construction of steam radiator heating systems.
Galvanized malleable fittings are commonly used in outdoor electrical conduit applications. The zinc coating of the galvanized malleable fitting provides resistance to corrosion that could compromise conduit and leave electrical wires exposed. The natural strength and stiffness of the galvanized iron pipe and fittings serve to protect electrical wiring from physical damage from crushing or abrasion.
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