compression rings on stainless steel.

[thebeatmeister]

Hello.
I've contacted my college about this but they were about as much use as a fart in a spacesuit...so if anyone here can help.....
When joining stainless steel pipe what compression materials are a no-no and which are generally used? What are the olives made from and can anyone suggest a good supplier...I know there are probably electrolytic considerations but how relevant are they with stainless steel?..
Any snippets of info, experiences would be appreciated.
cheers

 

[quality]

Try Swagelock for stainless compression stuff

 

[tamz]

I take it you just want to connect to existing stainless steel? Join using std brass compressions with BRASS rings. If you want a decent compression fitting use Kuterlites or Conex. The stainless will probably be imperial so you will need green rings for 3/4".
No problems at all with them reacting.
If it is for fitting new stainess? why would you unless speced for some process work, the merchants will supply stainless fittings to suit the tube.

 

[thebeatmeister]

...thanks chaps..but it was no more than curiosity really..
On the course it tells you that stainless was used in the 70's during a copper shortage and to join it you need to use either silver soldering or compression, but it doesn't go into it more than that. It got me thinking of the possibility of running into it on a future job and how i would work with it, what materials are used and what are forbidden and other questions that lead me to post this. I was also toying with the idea of having a go at plumbing my bathroom in with it and how reaslistic a proposal that would be...just info gathering really. The internet doesn't seem to answer these questions very well...
cheers anyway.

 

[Bernie2]

Actually!

I think it was Yorkshire who sold a flux for stainless steel which you could use ordinary solder with.

Usually though house basher's used bog standard Conex compression fittings with a bit of jointing paste or the now banned red lead paint.

 

[thebeatmeister]

So the general concensus is standard brass compression fittings but with a brass (not copper) ring. That yorkshire flux point is worth looking into, if it's still available then that's worth knowing.
That's armed me with a bit more info. thanks for your posts.
Any more experiences though, i'm all ears.

 

[tamz]

The flux used is phosphorus or borax based. Can't remember.
Stainless was hard to work with. Hard to bend (with a stand up machine) and hard on your cutters (get special cutter wheels)

 

[thebeatmeister]

I'd heard something similar with regards to fabrication. I'd imagine it's a metal that would look nice in a bathroom with good longevity and easy to clean, if a little expensive. Could use chrome plated copper but where would the fun in that be...?
thanks.

 

[danielp]

I'd heard something similar with regards to fabrication. I'd imagine it's a metal that would look nice in a bathroom with good longevity and easy to clean, if a little expensive. Could use chrome plated copper but where would the fun in that be...?
thanks.

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