Brass Fittings

Apex Flow Solutions supplies a full range of brass fittings for industrial, commercial, and municipal applications. Whether you need brass pipe fittings for a compressed air system, brass compression fittings for instrumentation tubing, or push-to-connect fittings for fast pneumatic assembly, we stock the configurations and sizes that maintenance teams and procurement departments rely on. Every fitting we carry meets applicable ASTM and SAE standards for dimensional accuracy, pressure rating, and material composition.

Shop Brass Fittings by Type

Choosing the Right Brass Fitting Type

Selecting the correct brass fitting starts with understanding the connection method your system requires. Threaded brass pipe fittings use NPT (National Pipe Taper) threads to create a seal as male and female threads are tightened together. This is the most common method in plant piping, building mechanical systems, and general industrial plumbing. Brass compression fittings use a ferrule or sleeve that compresses around the outside of a tube when a nut is tightened, forming a leak-tight seal without soldering or special tools. Compression connections are standard in instrumentation tubing, potable water supply, and process control lines. Flare fittings rely on a flared tube end that seats against a machined fitting body, creating a metal-to-metal seal that performs well under vibration and temperature cycling. Push-to-connect fittings allow tool-free assembly by simply inserting tubing into the fitting body, where internal gripping and sealing elements lock the connection in place.

Sizing brass fittings correctly is essential to system integrity. Threaded pipe fittings are sized by nominal pipe size (NPS), which does not correspond directly to the measured outside diameter of the pipe. A 1/2" NPT fitting, for example, has an outside thread diameter of approximately 0.840 inches. When measuring brass fittings for replacement, always measure the thread outside diameter and count the threads per inch to confirm the size and thread standard. Compression and flare fittings are sized by the outside diameter (OD) of the tubing they connect to, typically in fractional inch increments from 1/8" through 1" for brass. Hose barb fittings are sized by the inside diameter (ID) of the hose, and the barb should match or be very slightly larger than the hose ID to ensure a secure grip when clamped.

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, and the specific alloy grade determines its suitability for different services. Most commercial brass fittings are manufactured from C36000 (free-cutting brass) for standard applications or C46400 (naval brass) where higher corrosion resistance is needed. Lead-free brass alloys such as C69300 comply with NSF/ANSI 372 and are required for potable water applications under the Safe Drinking Water Act. When specifying brass fittings, confirm the alloy and any applicable certifications with your supplier to ensure compliance with your system requirements and local codes.

For a detailed breakdown of fitting types, thread standards, sizing charts, and pressure ratings, see our Brass Fitting Types and Sizes Guide.

Working with Brass Fittings: What You Need to Know

One of the most frequent questions in the field is whether to use Teflon tape on brass fittings. The answer depends on the connection type. Threaded brass pipe fittings with NPT tapered threads require a thread sealant because NPT threads are not inherently leak-tight. PTFE (Teflon) tape or pipe dope should be applied to the male threads before assembly. However, compression fittings, flare fittings, and push-to-connect fittings are designed to seal mechanically and should never have Teflon tape applied to their sealing surfaces. Adding sealant to these connections can actually prevent proper seating and cause leaks.

Brass fittings are widely used in natural gas and propane systems, but this application requires specific attention to alloy composition and fitting type. Flare fittings are the standard for gas service in most jurisdictions because the metal-to-metal flare seal does not degrade over time the way thread sealants can. When using brass fittings for gas, the alloy must have low zinc content or be a dezincification-resistant grade to prevent stress corrosion cracking in environments where the fitting may be exposed to moisture and certain soil chemistries. Always verify that the fittings you select are rated for gas service and comply with local fuel gas codes.

Regarding potable water, brass fittings are perfectly acceptable for drinking water systems provided they meet current lead-free requirements. Under federal law (and most state plumbing codes), fittings used in potable water systems must contain no more than 0.25% lead by weighted average across wetted surfaces. Products certified to NSF/ANSI 61 and compliant with NSF/ANSI 372 meet these requirements. When ordering brass plumbing fittings for drinking water applications, look for lead-free certification markings on the product or packaging and confirm compliance documentation from the manufacturer.

Industrial Applications for Brass Fittings

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Our team can help you identify the correct fitting type, size, and material specification for your application. Contact us for technical support or volume pricing.

Related Resources

Brass Fitting Types and Sizes Guide — Detailed reference covering thread standards, sizing tables, pressure ratings, and material specifications for every brass fitting category.