Carbon Steel Lateral Tee Y: Application and Selection Analysis

Carbon steel lateral tee Y is a key component used for diversion or combination in piping systems. It is named for its carbon steel material and the divergent design of the branch pipe and the main pipe.

1. Core features

Materials and Properties
Carbon steel material: Usually, low-carbon steel such as Q235B steel is adopted, which has excellent mechanical processing performance and weldability, with a tensile strength of 370-500 mpa, and is suitable for medium and low pressure pipeline systems.
Surface treatment: Exposed carbon steel is prone to rust, so the finished products are usually treated with hot-dip galvanizing, painting or epoxy coating for anti-corrosion, which extends the service life and is suitable for humid or open-air environments.   

Structural design
The reducer three-way structure has different pipe diameters for the main pipe and the branch pipe. The connection direction of the branch pipe is 90° perpendicular or 45° inclined to the main pipe, achieving directional fluid diversion.

Connection method
Threaded connection: Suitable for small-diameter pipes, it is easy to install but has a relatively low pressure-bearing capacity.
Welding connection: Used for medium-diameter pipes, it features high strength and good sealing performance after welding.
Flange connection: Suitable for large-diameter or high-pressure pipelines, it is convenient for disassembly and maintenance.

2. Application scenarios

Industrial piping system
In the fields of chemical engineering and petroleum: It is used for the diversion of media such as water, steam, and oil products, such as the branching of feed pipes for reaction vessels and the diversion at the inlet and outlet of heat exchangers.
Compressed air system: In the factory workshop pipeline network, the compressed air from the main air pipeline is distributed to the branch lines at each workstation.

Architecture and Municipal Engineering
Fire protection system: The main pipe and the branch pipe are connected through carbon steel lateral tee Y in the sprinkler pipe to ensure the uniform distribution of the fire extinguishing agent.
Heating system: Distribute the hot water from the main heating pipe to the radiator branch pipes on each floor or in each room.

Machinery and equipment manufacturing
Hydraulic system: In machine tools and construction machinery, it serves as a distribution component for hydraulic oil pipelines, enabling the collaborative operation of multiple actuating elements.
Agricultural irrigation: The water from the main water supply pipe is diverted to irrigation branch pipes of different specifications to meet the flow requirements of different nozzles.

3. Key points for selection and installation

Key parameters for selection

Pressure rating: Select the tee with the corresponding wall thickness based on the working pressure of the pipeline system.
Medium compatibility:
Ordinary water and air: Galvanized carbon steel three-way fittings are optional;
Corrosive media: It is necessary to be lined with rubber or epoxy resin for anti-corrosion, or stainless steel tees can be directly selected.
Flow direction and flow velocity: Ensure that the diameter of the branch pipe matches the flow rate to avoid excessive flow velocity, noise or excessive pressure drop caused by a too small pipe diameter.

Installation and welding requirements
Welding process: Before welding, the bevel needs to be cleaned. J422 electrode or CO₂ gas shielded welding should be used. It is recommended to preheat when welding large-diameter tees to reduce welding stress and the risk of cracks.
Pressure test: After installation, a water pressure or air pressure test should be conducted to ensure there is no leakage.
Anti-corrosion joint repair: For the damaged areas of the anti-corrosion coating at the welding points, anti-rust paint or anti-corrosion tape should be reapplied to prevent local corrosion.

Carbon steel lateral tee Y, with its economy and practicality, has become the core component for achieving fluid diversion in medium and low pressure pipeline systems. Reasonable selection and standardized installation can ensure its long-term stable operation.