Sanitary Fittings

Sanitary fittings are designed and constructed for use in food, beverage, medical, pharmaceutical, and biological applications where cleanliness and sterility are required. These types of fittings are constructed of materials that ensure a sterile environment and maintain sterility during use.  

Sanitary fittings are available is various materials and styles. Typically the most common material used with sanitary values is stainless steel due to its relatively low-cost, corrosion resistance and reliability, and relatively to other materials. When using stainless steel in sanitary applications, it’s useful to remember that the higher the grade, the better the corrosion resistance will be. When using stainless steel for sanitary applications, the fittings may have the option of being electro-polished. This step is applied after mechanical polishing and results in a smooth surface.

Other types of materials used for sanitary fittings include copper and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Although the use of copper in sanitary fittings has largely been replaced by the use of stainless steel, copper fittings are still available depending on the manufacturer. PVC fittings or piping is a heavy plastic, which does no corrode like metals do.

There are many different constructions of sanitary fittings available. Common constructions include thermostatic valves, mixing valves, and multiway valves. Thermostatic mixing valves (TMV) are also an option for sanitary fittings. TMVs blend hot water and cold water to maintain a constant, safe outlet that prevents scalding. 

Often, sanitary fittings are constructed as concealed fittings, which are housed in an opening of a wall. The fittings itself is covered with a rosette, by which it can be controlled. This means that when using thermostatic valves, the temperature and amount of mixing water can be adjusted.

Additionally, sanitary fittings can come in the form of butterfly valves, valves, clamps, gaskets, rubber hose adapters, tees, wye bends, crosses, reducers, end caps, elbow-shaped, expansions valves, pipe thread adapters, caps, plugs, couplings, bushings, and weld fittings. Other, unlisted constructions of sanitary fittings may also be available.

• Beware Thermal Cycling in Bioprocessing Part 2
  By Dave Simko, Swagelok Corp. to read Part 1 of this series. In bioprocessing, both the process (hygienic) and clean utility systems are connected by welding or sanitary connections. When the...
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• Beware Thermal Cycling in BioProcessing Part One
  By Dave Simko, Swagelok Corp. Valves and fittings account for the largest number of seals used in any bioprocessing system. In an individual processing suite, the seals that make up sanitary...
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• Optimizing Cleanliness & Drainability
  By Michael Bridge, Swagelok Biopharm Services Co. Cleanliness and Drainability are among the most critical issues biopharmaceutical manufacturers or owner companies must confront with their process...
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Part Numbers for Sanitary Fittings