Malleable iron pipe fittings are made through a process of casting, annealing, and galvanizing. Here are the steps involved in the process:
Casting
Malleable iron pipe fittings are cast in a foundry using a mixture of iron, carbon, and silicon. The mixture is melted in a furnace and poured into molds to create the desired shape of the fitting.
Annealing
After casting, the fittings are heated to a high temperature and then cooled slowly in a process called annealing. This process helps to reduce the brittleness of the iron and improve its ductility.
Machining
Once the fittings have been annealed, excess material is removed through machining to create the final shape and size of the fitting.
Galvanizing
Malleable iron pipe fittings are often galvanized to protect them from corrosion. The fittings are dipped in a bath of molten zinc, which adheres to the surface of the fitting and forms a protective layer.
Inspection
After galvanizing, the fittings are inspected for quality and compliance with industry standards. This includes checking the dimensions, surface finish, and zinc coating thickness.
Packaging
Finally, the fittings are packaged and shipped to distributors or end-users for installation in plumbing systems.
By following this process, malleable iron pipe fittings are created with the necessary strength, durability, and resistance to corrosion required for use in plumbing systems.