Pipes + Tubes + Fittings Category Hub — Quick Reference
AIMS Pipes + Tubes + Fittings = connecting infrastructure for water + gas + oil + air + chemical + process systems. Selection by service fluid + pressure + thread standard + material. Browse by sub-category.
| Sub-Category | Browse + Best For |
|---|---|
| Brass Fittings | /collections/brass-fittings — pneumatic + water + gas service |
| Steel Fittings (Black + Galvanised + SS) | /collections/steel-fittings — industrial pipework |
| Iron Pipe Fittings (Galv Malleable) | /collections/iron-pipe-fittings — BSP water + air |
| Butt Weld Fittings | /collections/buttwelds — high-integrity process pipework |
| Flanged Fittings | /collections/flanged-fittings — bolted detachable connections |
| Pipe Fittings (Mixed Materials) | /collections/pipe-fittings — general industrial range |
| Camlock Cam-and-Groove Fittings | /collections/camlock-fittings — bulk fluid transfer |
| Hose Fittings + Couplings | /collections/hose-fittings-couplings — flexible hose terminations |
| Hose + Ducting (Flexible Lines) | /collections/hose-ducting-fittings — air + water + chemical |
| High-Pressure Fittings | /collections/high-pressure-fittings — hydraulic + steam |
| Pneumatic Fittings (Push-Fit + Compression) | /collections/pneumatic-fittings-air-line-components |
| Gate Valves + Ball Valves + Butterfly Valves | gate + ball + butterfly |
Thread standard rule: BSP (parallel BSPP or tapered BSPT) is AU + EU + UK standard. NPT is US standard. NOT interchangeable. Use PTFE tape or Loctite 567 on tapered threads for sealing. Material match: brass for air + water + gas | galv malleable for water + light pressure | SS304/316 for corrosive + food + marine | carbon steel for industrial process. Brands: AAP, Dixon, Champion. Companion guides: pneumatic fittings guide, gasket guide.
Pipes, Tubes and Fittings
Pipes, tubes, and fittings are the connecting infrastructure of industrial systems — the components that move water, gas, oil, air, and chemicals from where they're stored or generated to where they're used. AIMS Industrial supplies pipes, tubes, and fittings for trade and industrial customers across plumbing, pneumatic, hydraulic, and process applications, with the related consumables (sealants, threading tools, support hardware) stocked alongside.
The categories within pipes, tubes and fittings
- Pipe and tube — steel, stainless, copper, and brass pipe in standard sizes
- Threaded fittings — elbows, tees, couplings, reducers, and adapters in BSPT, NPT, and BSPF
- Compression and flare fittings — for hydraulic, refrigeration, and instrumentation tubing
- Pipe support — clamps, hangers, and mounting hardware for fixed installations
- Threading tools — taps, dies, and threading systems (see related categories)
- Sealants and tape — pipe joint sealants and PTFE thread tape
- Cutting and preparation tools — pipe cutters, deburring tools, and reamers
Pipe materials at a glance
- Galvanised steel pipe — workshop air, water, and general service applications
- Black steel pipe — gas service, fire protection, and industrial applications where galvanising isn't required
- Copper pipe — plumbing, refrigeration, and medical gas applications
- Stainless pipe — corrosive environments, food and pharmaceutical applications
- Brass pipe — instrumentation and decorative applications
- PVC and HDPE pipe — drainage, irrigation, and chemical-resistant applications (where stocked)
Thread standards in pipework
BSPT (taper) and NPT (American taper) are the dominant pipe threads in Australian industry, with BSPF (parallel) used in hydraulic and pneumatic equipment that seals on O-rings or washers. The threads are not interchangeable — confirm the standard before sourcing fittings. Imported equipment (US-origin) often uses NPT; locally-spec'd plumbing typically uses BSPT.
Sizing pipe
Pipe sizing is by nominal pipe size (NPS) — a 1/2 inch nominal pipe is actually about 21mm OD on the pipe itself. Tube sizing differs: tube is specified by actual OD (e.g. 22mm OD copper tube). Don't confuse the two when sourcing — pipe and tube fittings are not interchangeable.
What we stock standing versus on indent
Common sizes and configurations are stocked for fast dispatch. Larger sizes, less common materials, and specialty fittings are typically available through our distribution channels on indented orders. contact our team with the spec you need and we'll confirm stock and lead time.
Companion services
Pipe and fittings sit alongside our pipe threading tools, threading machines, and pipe cutting equipment ranges — we can put together a complete project kit covering pipe, fittings, threading tools, and consumables. For larger industrial pipe projects, contact our team to discuss specifications and quantities.
Browse pipe and flange fittings
People Also Ask — Pipes, Tubes and Fittings
Q: What's the difference between pipe and tube?
Pipe is specified by nominal bore (the approximate inside diameter) and a wall schedule (SCH40, SCH80 etc.) — used for fluid transport. Tube is specified by outside diameter and wall thickness — used for structural and precision applications. Pipe fittings work on pipe size; tube fittings use OD-based sizing. They're not interchangeable. For workshop plumbing, fluid transfer, and gas: pipe. For instrumentation, hydraulics, and precision: tube.
Q: What thread standards do AIMS pipe fittings use?
BSP (British Standard Pipe): the Australian/UK/European standard. BSPP (parallel) for sealing on a face washer or o-ring. BSPT (tapered) for sealing on the thread itself with sealant. NPT (National Pipe Tapered): the US standard, found on imported US-spec equipment — NOT interchangeable with BSP despite similar appearance. Always identify the existing thread before ordering replacement fittings. See our [BSP vs NPT vs UNC Thread Standards Guide](/blogs/product-guides/bsp-vs-npt-vs-unc-thread-standards-guide).
Q: Galvanised, brass, or stainless fittings?
Galvanised steel: cost-effective for water and low-pressure applications, prone to rust at threads where galv coating gets damaged. Brass: better corrosion resistance, used in compressed air, water, oil, and gas. Stainless 316: chemical resistance, marine, food/pharma, and high-temperature service. Match the fitting material to the fluid being transferred plus the environment. Don't mix galvanised and brass on the same line — galvanic corrosion at the junction.
Q: What's the pressure rating of standard fittings?
Depends entirely on the fitting size, material, and rating class. Common workshop ranges: galvanised pipe fittings 150-300 psi general use, brass 150-500 psi depending on size, stainless typically 1000+ psi for SS316. Always check the manufacturer's data — never assume. For high-pressure or critical applications, use a fitting rated above your maximum system pressure with safety margin (typical 4:1 burst-to-working ratio).
Q: How do I seal pipe threads?
BSPT and NPT tapered threads: use thread sealant (Loctite 567, Loctite 577, or PTFE tape applied correctly — wrap 3-4 turns in direction of thread engagement). BSPP parallel threads with face seal: use a bonded washer or O-ring at the face — no sealant on threads. Don't over-tape BSPP — sealant gets compressed into threads and prevents proper face engagement. For critical sealing, use anaerobic thread sealants over PTFE tape.