Here at Arc Alloys, we manufacture and supply camlock fittings in a wide variety of materials, sizes and fittings. We supply many items from stock or in house manufacturing, catering for large and small projects.
When it comes to camlock fittings, there are a few things you may wish to understand to make the choice of size and medium for your project easier. We are always on hand should you need further assistance.
What is a Camlock?
Also known as a camlock fitting, these fittings are a form of cam and groove hose or pipe coupling. They offer a simple and reliable means of connecting and disconnecting hoses or pipe quickly and without the need for additional tools. With a male groove adapter and a female coupler, closing both handles at the same time to fix the two halves firmly together. They allow a quick seal to be made between two hoses or pipes by providing a leak proof connection. A quick and simple reversal of the process allows disconnection of the two halves. Camlock fittings are suitable for the transfer of water, chemicals, gases, granules and powders and vapours.
What are they made of?
You can get camlock couplings made from lighter materials, depending on the application, such as uPVC. These are predominantly used in less wearing places, such as domestic water pipes. For heavy duty camlock fittings, they are made from metal.
Stainless steel camlock fittings
For use with substances that are highly corrosive, such as acids and alkalis, camlock coupling made stainless steel are the best solution. Stainless steel is a compound of different elements, containing iron and chromium, but can also include zinc.
Brass camlock
If you are working with salt water, brass is a great material. Made from copper and zinc, it has high corrosive resistance. Not quite suitable for acids and alkalis, but a brass camlock is extremely versatile in application.
Aluminium camlock fittings
Moving fresh water, or if you have a mixture of oil and water, then aluminium camlock fittings are ideal. They are used as they are great if you need to interchange the hose frequently, as you need to do with petroleum.
What can arc alloys offer in terms of camlocks?
Male camlock to Female camlock
There are two parts to a camlock fitting, they are known as male and female connections. They are also referred to as Type A, the adapter with a female thread; type B, the coupler with male thread. They can also come in different sizes, but you need to couple the correct sizes together. Such as 2-inch camlock fittings won’t work with 3-inch camlock fittings.
Camlock type C
The type C camlock is a coupler that has a hose tail and handles which allows for quickly and efficiently disconnecting and reconnecting the fitting. They are great for high pressure environments.
Camlock type E
Usually used with type B, type C and type D couplers, the camlock type E has a hose tail but no handle. They are mainly used in the petroleum and agriculture sector.
What are the recognised standards for Camlock fitting types?
The standard types of camlock fittings A-E are explained below.
A – Male adapter with female NPT thread
B – Female cam coupler with male NPT thread
C – Female cam coupling with hose barb end
D – Female cam coupler with FNPT thread
E – Cam adapter with hose barb end
F – Camlock adapter with male NPT thread
What different materials can I find Camlock fittings in?
Camlock fittings come in a variety of materials including stainless steel, aluminium, brass and polypropylene.
Stainless steel Camlock fittings are the most robust and durable, and the hygienic properties of stainless-steel couplers make them a first choice in food and pharmaceutical processing or for use in corrosive circumstances. They are ideal for alkali, acid and corrosive substances.
- Aluminium Camlock fittings are a lightweight but still robust option and have excellent corrosion resistance. Highly suitable for fresh water or mixtures of water and oil.
- Brass Camlock fittings are commonly forged and used for water including salty water, coolants, gasolines, petroleum products and hydraulic oils. They are not suitable for acid or alkali environments
- Polypropylene Camlock fittings resist chemicals and are suitable for use when handling aggressive solvents and chemicals, yet they are not as strong as other materials. They are not advised for use with compressed air or gas. They are widely used for irrigation in the agricultural industry.
Camlock fitting sizes:
Camlock fittings come in a variety of sizes, ranging from ½ inch to 6 inch depending on the material used to manufacture them.
Choosing the right Camlock fitting:
Following the STAMPED acronym are required to establish the most suitable fitting for your application.
STAMPED stands for:
S – Size
T – Temperature
A – Application
M – Media or Material being used
P – Required pressure rating
E – End connection and fitting thread type
D – Delivery extras such as material certification
Why chose Arc Alloys?
Arc Alloys goes beyond just making top quality camlocks, we work with different industries to find solutions that work for them. Our customer care needs to match our products, so we only offer the best service available. Arc Alloys began as a welding and fabricating company in 1998, we have over 30 years of working experience to make sure we find the best product for you. Need a camlock manufacturing specialist that offers 24/7 technical advice, and is ISO 15614 accredited, then we are perfect for you. As there are not enough hours in the day to source parts during the work hours, you can take advantage of our 24 hours a day customer service. So don’t delay and reach out to us!
Need help finding the right Camlock fitting?
We take pride in our customer relations and are always open to offer support and advice, so whatever you need your camlock fittings for, why not contact us on 01384 79695/01384 77211. We’ll be happy to help you. We can also answer your sales and technical enquiries by email – so why not send us your query at sales@arcalloys.com? However you choose to contact us, you’ll find us knowledgeable, friendly, and able to offer the perfect camlock fitting for your needs.