Can black iron pipe fittings be used outdoors?

Black iron pipe fittings cannot be used directly outdoors and must be covered with anti-corrosion materials.

What are black iron pipe fittings？

Malleable cast iron: Malleable cast iron (Ductile Cast Iron), also known as ductile iron, was developed by the International Nickel Company in the United States in the 1940s. The innovation is to add elements such as magnesium or cerium to cast iron so that carbon exists in the form of spherical graphite instead of flake graphite in traditional gray cast iron. This structural change dramatically improves the strength and toughness of cast iron, giving it mechanical properties similar to steel.

Application areas of black iron pipe fittings

Malleable cast iron pipe fittings are pipe connection accessories made of the above-mentioned improved materials. This type of pipe fittings is widely used in the fields of fire protection, water, gas, and agricultural irrigation. Their characteristics include:

● High strength and high toughness: Compared with ordinary cast iron, malleable cast iron has better tensile strength and impact resistance.

● Good wear resistance and corrosion resistance: suitable for pipe connections outdoors and inside buildings.

● Easy to install: They are usually equipped with rubber ring seals, are easy to assemble on-site, and can ensure good sealing at the interface.

● Economical: Due to its excellent comprehensive performance and relatively low cost, it has become one of the preferred materials for many engineering projects.

Why can't black iron pipe fittings be used outdoors?

The material of black iron pipe fittings will react with water in the air to oxidize, and the pipe fittings will rust. Affecting the service life of the pipe fittings, if you need to use it outdoors, you can galvanize the outer layer of the black iron pipe fittings or paint the outer surface of the pipe fittings to prevent the surface of the pipe fittings from oxidizing with the air.

Many national building codes require that pipelines for transporting natural gas be black iron pipe fittings. Galvanized pipe fittings are not recommended. The inside of the galvanized pipe fittings will have zinc flakes falling off, causing the regulator and valve to malfunction. At this time, you need to paint the outside of the black iron pipe fittings and check their condition regularly.

If the city is humid or coastal, the risk of corrosion will increase. In this case, consider using galvanized malleable cast iron pipe fittings or anti-corrosion materials explicitly designed for outdoor use.

If you have any questions about whether black iron pipe fittings can be used outdoors, please contact us! We will provide you with pipeline solutions!