Types of hose fittings and connectors
BSP threaded fittings screw onto a parallel (BSPP) or tapered (BSPT) threaded port. BSP is the UK standard thread form for plumbing, pneumatic, and hydraulic connections. Use our BSP pipe thread reference page to identify thread sizes from physical measurements.
Push-fit connectors grip the tube or hose internally when pushed in, and release with a collar press. No tools required. Used widely in pneumatic tubing, compressed air circuits, and instrumentation.
Compression fittings seal by compressing a ferrule onto the tube as a nut is tightened. Used in copper and plastic plumbing, hydraulic control lines, and instrumentation work.
Barbed hosetail fittings have a ridged barb that inserts into the hose bore and is secured with a jubilee clip or ear clamp. Simple, widely used, and available in a very wide range of bore sizes. Suited to garden hose, industrial hose, water transfer, and low-pressure air.
Quick-release couplers allow a hose to be connected and disconnected without tools via a push-button or lever mechanism. Different coupling series (BSP, Euro, Milton) are not interchangeable — both halves must be from the same series.
Camlock fittings use a cam-and-groove mechanism locked by two cam arms. Fast to connect for large-bore transfer in agriculture, chemical transfer, fuel delivery, and industrial bulk fluid applications.
For a full reference table of fitting types, applications, and compatibility, see our hose fittings guide.
Which material do I need?
Brass is suitable for most water, air, and general hydraulic applications. It is not suitable for acetylene, ammonia, or prolonged seawater contact, use stainless steel for those applications.
Stainless steel (304 or 316) is the right choice for marine, coastal, food-grade, outdoor, and chemically aggressive applications. 316 grade adds chloride resistance for saltwater and harsh cleaning chemical environments.
Aluminium is lightweight and well suited to compressed air and automotive applications but is not appropriate for acidic or alkaline media or saltwater exposure.
Polypropylene suits low-pressure water, irrigation, and chemical transfer where metal fittings are unsuitable. Not for high pressure, high temperature, or fuel and solvent contact.
For a full material comparison table, see our hose fittings guide.
Need to identify or measure a BSP thread size? Our BSP pipe thread reference page has full dimension tables, a size calculator, and a guide to identifying BSPP vs BSPT threads.
