Flare Fitting

Flare fittings are a type of compression fitting used with metal tubing, usually soft steel and ductile (soft) copper, though other materials are also used. Tube flaring is considered to be a type of forging operation, and is usually a cold working procedure. During assembly, a flare nut is used to secure the flared tubing's tapered end to the also tapered fitting, producing a pressure-resistant, leak-tight seal. Flared connections offer a high degree of long-term reliability and for this reason are often used in mission-critical and inaccessible locations.

The tool used to flare tubing consists of a die that grips the tube and a mandrel that is forced into the end of the tube to form the flare by cold working. The most common flare fitting standards in use today are the 45-degree SAE style, and the 37-degree AN style, also used with the JIC system. The AN/JIC style generally has a higher pressure rating for a given size tubing. SAE and AN/JIC fittings are completely incompatible due to the different flare angle. Further, AN fittings (or those complying with subsequent standards) and JIC fittings are not interchangeable for design-controlled applications due to differing quality standards.

Flared fittings are appropriate alternatives to solder-type joints when the use of an open flame is either not desired or impractical. Copper tube used for propane, LP, or natural gas may use flared brass fittings of single 45º-flare type, according to NFPA 54/ANSI. Z223.1 National Fuel Gas Code. The copper tube types used for water service applications commonly uses a flare to iron pipe connection when connecting to the main or the meter. Many plumbing codes, towns, and water companies require type L copper tubing or HDPE pipe in order to provide water service. All National Model Codes permit the use of flare fitting joints, however, the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) should be consulted to determine acceptance for a specific application.