Pipe Schedules Explained: NPS, OD, STD, XS and Sch 40/80
Pipe size names are a legacy of the 1920s, and they still confuse new engineers. Here is how NPS, outside diameter and schedules fit together.
Topic
Quick Reference
Charts, tables and self-tests.
Flange Pressure Classes Explained: ASME B16.5 Ratings
A Class 150 flange is not rated for 150 bar or even 150 psi at every temperature. Here is how pressure classes, material groups and temperature combine.
Common Piping Abbreviations: A Quick Glossary for New Engineers
Piping documents are full of three-letter abbreviations. Here are the ones you'll meet in your first month on a project, grouped by where you'll see them.
Valve Types at a Glance: Gate, Globe, Ball, Check, Butterfly and Plug
Each valve type is good at one job and poor at others. A one-page guide to what each is for, how it is shown on a P&ID, and where it is used.
Gaskets: Spiral Wound, Ring Joint and Sheet — Which Goes Where
The gasket is the weakest part of a flanged joint and a common source of leaks. Choosing the right type for the flange, pressure and fluid is the first step to a tight joint.