What Is a Barbed Fitting?
A barbed fitting is a type of fitting characterized by its jagged, bamboo shoot-shaped design.
These fittings are primarily used at connection points between hoses and tubes and are sometimes referred to as hose nipples or bamboo shoot fittings. Some variations include hexagonal hose nipples that can be securely tightened using a wrench and are often combined with fittings and elbows.
Barbed fittings are known for their affordability and compact size, making them a popular choice in applications where pressure resistance is required.
Applications of Barbed Fittings
Due to their cost-effectiveness, barbed fittings are frequently used in conjunction with hose bands at the junctions of rubber hoses and urethane tubing.
The sizing standard for barbed fittings is typically expressed as the thread diameter of the pipe multiplied by the outside diameter of the bamboo shoot. It is recommended that the outside diameter of the bamboo shoot be slightly larger than the inside diameter of the hose to ensure a proper seal.
Using a bamboo shoot size that matches the hose’s size is essential for achieving the intended hose grip on the fitting and preventing leakage.
Principle of Barbed Fittings
The effectiveness of barbed fittings relies on the hose or tube securely gripping the bamboo shoot portion, ensuring a tight seal.
Choosing the correct size is crucial as a size too small can lead to leakage, while a size too large may damage the tubing or hose and result in improper fitting during installation, rendering it unusable.
For applications with fixed hose sizes and frequent installations, specialized fitting installation tools are available. These tools help reduce variations in installation and enhance installation quality.
Barbed fittings come in a wide range of materials, including nickel-plated brass, stainless steel, and plastic resin. Selecting the most suitable material depends on factors such as shape, outer diameter, cost, and operating environment (temperature, pressure, etc.). This applies to hose extension joints as well as branching T-type and elbow applications.