Understanding the Categories of Iron Fittings

December 3, 2025

Understanding the Categories of Iron Fittings

Introduction

Iron fittings, including cast iron fittings and other steel cnc precision components, are essential in industrial pipelines, plumbing systems, hydraulic and pneumatic networks, HVAC systems, and mechanical assemblies.

In the modern cnc turning factories, especially in CNC turning area, have enabled the production of high-quality cast iron fittings and carbon steel hose fittings that meet global industrial standards. These cnc parts are widely used across US, EU, and Asian markets, providing durability, precision, and compatibility.

Main Categories of Iron Fittings

As a one of cnc parts manufacture , Yuhuan hongqian machinery co.,ltd is mainly produce cnc parts based on the carbon steel fittings .

Today we focus on the what is iron fitting and what the different between with iron fitting and steel fitting .

Iron Fitting

Iron vs. Steel: Key Differences

1. Basic Definition

Item	Iron	Steel
Definition	Iron-based materials with higher carbon content, mostly in cast form (Cast Iron)	An alloy of iron with controlled carbon and alloying elements
Carbon Content	Typically 2%–4%	Generally <2% (commonly 0.05%–1%)
Form	Mainly cast; not forgeable	Can be hot forging, cast, forged, machined, and welded

Does Steel Belong to Iron? (Is Steel a Type of Iron?) — YES

Steel is a refined and improved form of iron.

Based on our company mainly produce steel hose fittings and tube fittings, so we make up and the following table provides a detailed overview of the main iron fittings categories, including common types and and material detail to more easy understand the iron fittings. also simply introduce the iron area material types of fittings.

Iron fittings Category Table

Iron Fitting Category	Common Types	Description
Threaded Iron Fittings	Threaded nipples, unions, elbows (45°/90°), tees, couplings, hex bushings, plugs, caps, locknuts, reducers	Threaded iron fittings used for plumbing, air systems, and low-pressure pipelines. Compatible with NPT, BSPT, BSPP, and Metric threads, widely used in North America, Europe, and industrial markets.
Iron Pipe Fittings	Pipe connectors, pipe elbows, pipe tees, flanges, collars, sleeves, pipe unions	Durable iron pipe fittings designed for water lines, HVAC systems, construction pipelines, and general industrial piping. Suitable for global piping standards.
Hydraulic & Pneumatic Iron Fittings	Hydraulic adapters, threaded connectors, hose fittings, hose barb fittings, manifolds, valve bodies, quick connectors	Iron fittings engineered for hydraulic and pneumatic systems in machinery, agriculture, automotive, and equipment manufacturing. Optimized for high-duty industrial applications.
Mechanical & Structural Iron Components	Brackets, mounting bases, clamping rings, shaft collars, spacers, bushings, washers	Structural iron components used in machinery frames, mounting assemblies, industrial equipment, and mechanical support systems. High strength and cost-effective.
CNC Iron Turning Parts	Sleeves, bushings, threaded rings, couplings, turning shafts	Precision CNC-turned iron parts for round components, threaded connectors, and custom machined fittings. Suitable for OEM manufacturing and high-volume production.
Iron Machined Thread Fittings	NPT iron fittings, BSPT iron fittings, Metric threaded parts, hex plugs, threaded reducers	High-precision threaded iron fittings for plumbing, hydraulic systems, industrial pipelines, and mechanical equipment. Ideal for global thread standards and CNC machining.
Precision Iron Components	Valve seats, manifolds, bearing housings, connector blocks	Custom high-accuracy iron components used in industrial machinery, fluid control systems, and automation equipment.
Iron Material Types	Malleable iron, cast iron, ductile iron, carbon iron	Common iron materials used for fittings and machined components, offering strength, stability, and excellent processing performance for industrial applications.

Based on this table we can more easy to show our business scope for our global customers .

1. Threaded Iron Fittings

Threaded iron fittings are widely used in plumbing systems, low-pressure pipelines, and HVAC installations. Common types include threaded nipples, unions, elbows, tees, couplings, hex bushings, plugs, caps, locknuts, and reducers.

Honqian company could provide custom thread iron fitting parts and Cnc machining service online :
CNC machining ensures high precision threading, consistent quality, and repeatable dimensions, which are crucial for large-scale production and international standards compliance (NPT, BSPT, Metric etc.). Threaded iron fittings produced with CNC turning reduce the risk of leakage and improve the durability of industrial pipelines. If you do not high demand for thread but want a low cost ,also could choose thread tapping and thread rolling this two methods .

2. Iron Pipe Fittings

Iron pipe fittings are designed for durability and reliability in water, gas, and HVAC pipelines. Typical types include pipe connectors, elbows, tees, flanges, collars, sleeves, and pipe unions.

Applications:

Water supply pipelines in industrial and commercial buildings
HVAC systems
Construction and industrial pipelines

Material Considerations:

Cast iron: high compressive strength, suitable for static loads
Ductile iron: flexible, corrosion-resistant, ideal for pressurized systems
Malleable iron: ductile and formable, suitable for threaded fittings

CNC Relevance:
Our online CNC turning service allows for custom made and oem pipe connectors, flanges, and reducers with precise tolerances, ensuring compatibility with global piping standards.

3. Hydraulic & Pneumatic Iron Fittings

Hydraulic and pneumatic fittings include adapters, hose fittings, hose barb fittings, manifolds, valve bodies, and quick connectors. These components are essential for fluid control, machinery, automotive, and agricultural applications.

Applications:

Hydraulic systems in machinery and automotive equipment
Pneumatic networks for automation
Agricultural machinery and irrigation systems

CNC Machining Advantages:

High precision for threaded connectors
Pressure resistance for hydraulic systems
Consistent quality for global industrial markets
Eeasy operation once setting cnc program base on the drawing .

CNC-machined hydraulic fittings improve system efficiency and reliability, ensuring long-term performance under high-pressure conditions.

China cnc machinery factories have a complete supply chain include cheapest material steel factory ，fastest logistic , experience workers , big quantity good education talent management . and we have our own cnc euipment factories provide high accurate and cheap price cnc machines .

It could provide high competive price to produce hydraulic hose fittings ,steel fittings , hose bard fittings etc as you want .

4. Mechanical & Structural Iron Components

Mechanical and structural components include brackets, mounting bases, clamping rings, shaft collars, spacers, bushings, and washers.

Applications:

Machinery frames
Mounting assemblies for industrial equipment
Structural supports for heavy machinery

CNC Relevance:
CNC machining enables custom shapes and accurate dimensions, offering high repeatability for mass production. These components are critical for industrial machinery stability and cost-effective maintenance.

5. CNC Iron Turning Parts

CNC iron turning parts include sleeves, bushings, threaded rings, couplings, and turning shafts. They are widely used for OEM manufacturing and high-volume industrial production.

Advantages of CNC Turning:

High precision and dimensional accuracy
Repeatable production for large quantities
Capability to produce complex geometries
Reduced human error and material waste

CNC machining transforms traditional iron fitting into high-performance industrial components suitable for modern engineering projects.

6. Iron Machined Thread Fittings

These fittings include NPT, BSPT, Metric threaded parts, hex plugs, and threaded reducers. They are high-precision components for plumbing, hydraulic systems, industrial pipelines, and mechanical equipment.

CNC Relevance:
CNC turning ensures that threads meet international standards, improving compatibility and performance in US, EU, and Asian markets.

Applications:

Plumbing and water systems
Hydraulic and pneumatic equipment
Industrial machinery pipelines

7. Precision Iron Components

Precision iron components include valve seats, manifolds, bearing housings, and connector blocks.

The blank usally need open mould and cast iron and forging type to support and save cost of iron components.

Applications:

Industrial machinery
Automation systems
Fluid control systems

CNC Machining Benefits:

High-accuracy tolerances
Complex geometries achievable
Repeatable quality for industrial manufacturing

Precision components are critical in applications where reliability and exact dimensions are required, such as automated production lines and high-performance machinery.

8. Iron Material Types

Choosing the right iron material is crucial for performance:

Cast Iron: High compressive strength, brittle, ideal for static load applications
Ductile Iron: Flexible, corrosion-resistant, suitable for pipelines and hydraulic fittings
Malleable Iron: Low carbon, ductile, easy to form, good for threaded fittings
Malleable cast iron fittings, also known as malleable iron fittings, are common components used in the installation and maintenance of piping systems. These fittings are characterized by excellent toughness and strength, allowing them to withstand considerable pressure and impact. They are primarily made of cast iron and undergo specialized heat treatment processes to enhance their ductility and mechanical performance.
Wrought Iron: Tough, weldable, flexible, and suitable for decorative or specialized applications
Carbon steel :

Carbon Steel Category	Carbon Content (%)	Typical Grades / Models	Characteristics
Low Carbon Steel	0.05–0.25	1008, 1018, 1020, Q235	Good plasticity and ductility; easy to weld and machine; lower strength
Medium Carbon Steel	0.25–0.60	1035, 1040, 1045, Q345	Moderate strength and hardness; good toughness; heat-treatable
High Carbon Steel	0.60–1.00	1050, 1060, 1070	High hardness and strength; lower ductility
Ultra-High Carbon Steel	1.00–2.00	1080, 1095	Very hard and brittle; mainly used for special tools and blades
Alloy Carbon Steel (Cr-Mo)	0.30–0.50 (C)	35CrMo, 42CrMo	High strength and toughness; excellent fatigue resistance; heat-treatable

CNC Material Considerations:
Material selection affects machining precision, durability, and industrial suitability, making it essential for designing reliable iron fittings for global standards.

9. Global Applications and Standards

Iron fittings are used worldwide, and compatibility with international standards is essential:

US: NPT threads for plumbing and industrial pipelines
EU: BSP threads for HVAC, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems
Asia: Metric threads for industrial machinery and manufacturing

Applications:

Plumbing, HVAC, hydraulic and pneumatic systems
Mechanical assemblies and machinery frames
OEM and industrial manufacturing

CNC machining ensures that iron fitting meet global standards, providing precision, consistency, and reliability for international markets.

Conclusion

Iron fittings play a vital role in industrial, hydraulic, pneumatic, plumbing, and mechanical systems. From threaded and pipe fittings to CNC-turned precision components, each category serves specific applications requiring durability and high accuracy.

CNC machining has transformed iron fitting production, providing precision, repeatability, and compatibility with global standards. Choosing the right material is equally critical to ensure performance and longevity.

Welcome to contact our hongqian company , that we are the professional cnc parts especially in carbon steel fittings . thread pipe fittings . familar with all type thread like G/METRIC /UNF /UNEF/BSP/BSPT/NPT/NPTF/R/RC etc , It welcome to get any enquiries from your side . More information you can click our company .