A Quick Guide to Hydraulic Fittings: Materials, Threads, and Best Practices

Selecting the right hydraulic fitting is as critical as choosing the hose itself. A single connection point failure can lead to downtime, costly repairs, and safety hazards. At Utigoflex, we ensure every component in your fluid system is engineered for reliability.

1. Common Materials & Their Applications

Carbon Steel: The most common choice, offering excellent strength and pressure resistance for general industrial hydraulics.

Stainless Steel: The ultimate solution for corrosive environments. Ideal for offshore, chemical processing, and food & beverage applications, resisting saltwater, chemicals, and weathering.

Brass: Offers good corrosion resistance and is malleable, making it suitable for low-pressure fuel, air, and water lines.

2. Understanding Thread Types

Using the wrong thread type is a common cause of leaks.

NPT (National Pipe Tapered): A common North American standard. The tapered threads form a seal by wedging together, typically requiring thread sealant.

BSP (British Standard Pipe): Popular in Europe and Asia. BSPP (Parallel) threads require a sealing washer, while BSPT (Tapered) function similarly to NPT.

SAE J1926-2 (O-Ring Boss): A superior sealing system for high-pressure applications. An O-ring in the fitting body creates a positive, leak-free seal against a machined surface.

3. Essential Precautions for Use

Avoid Mix & Match: Never intermix BSP, NPT, or JIC threads. They are not compatible and will leak or damage the port.

Proper Torque: Under-tightening causes leaks; over-tightening can strip threads or crack fittings. Always use a torque wrench.

Inspect Before Assembly: Check for dirt, damage, or burrs on threads and seals. A single grain of contamination can cause a system failure.

Trust Utigoflex for Your Connection

From standard to custom-engineered solutions, Utigoflex provides the perfect fitting for your hydraulic system’s demands, ensuring safety, durability, and peak performance.

Utigoflex is specizlized in producing and exporting various kinds of rubber hoses,hydraulic hoses, PVC hoses, air ductins and fittings. We achieve FDA, REACH, MSHA,CE certificate for our products.

Utigoflex- Your trusted partner in industrial fluid transfer solutions since 2009.