Sanitary Fittings and Valves
Sanitary fittings are used to connect together the various piping systems involved in delivering fluids for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device manufacturing, food processing, cosmetics, chemical processing industries. They also manage the flow of liquids within these operations.
The devices must be able to withstand chemicals pumped through them as well as be able to take the high temperatures typically used in these industries. The valves within these fittings must also be capable of withstanding chemical exposure and rigorous cleaning regimes.
Sanitary fittings are available from a number of manufacturers in different grades, including 316 stainless steel, PEEK/Polyamide, and Teflon® fluoropolymer.
The use of these grades of material helps ensure the fittings are able to withstand chemical exposure, high temperatures, and frequent cleaning.
Valves within sanitary fittings are available in metal or plastic depending on the fluid being controlled. Metal valves are used for non-corrosive chemicals and where components may be exposed to corrosive substances; on the other hand, plastic valves are used on components exposed to corrosive chemicals.
Benefits of sanitary pipe fittings and valves
High purity-grade materials are used in the manufacture of sanitary pipe fittings and valves to ensure that they are able to withstand chemicals, processing conditions, cleaning regimes, changes in temperature, and many other factors.
High port density– Manufacturers produce sanitary fittings with a number of ports on them to reduce the number of connections through which fluids must pass. This helps conserve space on equipment and reduces the time used to set up the equipment.
Space-saving – Because sanitary pipe fittings have multiple ports, they allow fluids to be routed through a single connection. This means that less piping needs to be installed, so there is less space required for machinery to house these components.
Rapid cleaning – Because the components within the piping system are small and constructed from materials such as plastic or Teflon®, they can be quickly and thoroughly cleaned without damaging or degrading them.
Different standards – There are a number of different standards that cover sanitary fittings, valves, and other components. These include USP 797 for medical tubing fittings and valves, ISO 8115 for vacuum interrupter valves, and ISO 10296, DIN EN 29053 for hose couplings in the food industry.
Inspection/ Quality– All manufacturers of sanitary pipe fittings carry out strict quality control to ensure that only components that pass their high standards are allowed to be sold.
End-user benefits– Users of such components benefit from the numerous advantages as well as having fittings and valves that conform to standards set by certain industries.
The Fitting and Valve Manufacturing Association (FVMA) was developed to represent the interests of companies that manufacture fittings for fluid handling applications.
The FVMA aims to improve public awareness of sanitary fittings, promote the use of these components in manufacturing processes and provide information about them to purchasers.
Sanitary pipe fittings and valves – Miscellaneous
Sanitary fittings and valves help improve the efficiency of machinery in a number of industries by reducing the connections through which fluids flow. These components are also able to withstand chemicals, processing conditions, high temperatures, and frequent cleaning.
The various grades of materials used in their construction add further durability, while the small size allows them to be quickly and thoroughly cleaned.
These fittings comply with various standards that vary depending on the industry they will be used in, and their manufacture involves strict quality control to ensure only high-quality components are allowed onto the market.