A Guide to Hydraulic Fittings, Hydraulic Couplings and Pipe Fittings

Joint industry council fittings, or JIC fittings, feature parallel threads and a 37-degree seat. Usually made from brass, nickel alloys, stainless steel and carbon, JIC hydraulic fittings have three main components: fitting, sleeve and flare nut. JIC hydraulic fittings are popular because they come in a huge range of shapes, sizes and materials. Plus, they are simple to install and can be removed and reinstalled without deformation. On the downside, JIC hydraulic fittings are not recommended for high-vibration applications due to their low pressure rating. 

An incorrect hydraulic fitting and hose combination can lead to fluid leaks. As such, you need to ensure that you have the correct hydraulic pipe fitting for the job. This involves finding a hydraulic fitting with the right diameter, length, thread and angle. It is best to use a measuring tape to work out the length of the hydraulic fitting and a caliper to determine its external and internal diameters. 

Available in different shapes and sizes, joint industry council (JIC) fittings are used in high pressure systems. Meanwhile, national pipe taper (NPT) fittings are used in low pressure systems. While they can both be used in hydraulic systems, JIC and NPT fittings are not interchangeable. 

While national pipe taper (NPT) fittings can form a seal, society of automotive engineers (SAE) fittings require an O-ring or a gasket to create a seal. SAE fittings are reusable and often utilized in low pressure applications such as refrigeration and automotive systems. SAE fittings can be male and female, both of which feature a 45-degree flare seat. Meanwhile, NPT fittings can be used to make a close seal. Nevertheless, polytetrafluoroethylene tape or a sealant should also be used to ensure that the seal is free from leaks.

Both hydraulic couplings and hydraulic quick release couplings are used to connect hoses and fittings in hydraulic systems. Made from materials such as brass and aluminium alloys, they are often capable of withstanding high pressures. There are two main types of hydraulic couplings: traditional hydraulic screw couplers and hydraulic quick release couplings. They can both be used as hydraulic pipe fittings and usually require additional sealing components such as O-rings. Hydraulic quick release couplings are normally used in systems that require frequent connections and disconnections to a fluid line. 

Hydraulic fittings come in many different shapes, sizes and thread types. The most popular hose fittings are O-ring, threads and mated angle. O-ring hydraulic fittings come in three different designs including the O-ring flange, the O-ring boss and the flat face O-ring seal. Threaded hydraulic fittings are either male (threads on the outside) or female (threads on the inside). When the male and female threads are connected, they deform to make a tight seal. Mated angle hydraulic fittings feature angle seats and parallel or straight threads. When the male and female threads are connected, they do not automatically form a seal but bring together the angle seats to form a seal.