Unipipe aluminum compressed air piping offers significant advantages in durability, longevity, and performance. Additionally, Unipipe offers fast installation — up to 2.5 times faster than copper or black-iron pipe of similar dimensions, with no hot work required. The secret is our proprietary grip ring fittings, which make installation a breeze and create exceptionally secure connections.
The Unipipe Grip Ring: Simplicity Meets Performance
Unipipe aluminum pipe systems are designed for fast, secure installation across a wide range of demanding environments. Whether you're working in a new facility or upgrading an existing system, our grip ring fittings deliver long-term performance without the complexity of traditional piping methods.
Ideal for:
- Manufacturing facilities
- Automotive repair shops
- Food and beverage processing plants
- Medical labs and clean rooms
- Any system using compressed air, inert gases, vacuum, water, or oils
Key benefits:
- Secure fit: The grip ring bites into the aluminum pipe for a 360° connection — 5× more secure than typical fittings.
- Leak resistant: Long-life HNBR O-rings provide maintenance-free sealing and are easy to replace when required.
- Reusable: Loosen, reposition, and re-tighten without purchasing new parts.
- Safe & strong: Rated to 1015 PSI (HP range) for demanding industrial service.
- Widely compatible: Fits most aluminum “blue pipe” systems — contact us to confirm.
- Corrosion-resistant materials: aluminum and stainless steel resist rust and wear, and are suitable for humid, chemical, and industrial environments.
Fitting Configurations and Materials
Here are the key specifications of our Unipipe aluminum pipe grip ring fittings, covering pressure, temperature, media compatibility, and materials.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Max Pressure | 145/232/1015 PSI (EZ/LP/HP) |
| Temp Range | -22°F to 266°F |
| Sizes Available | 3/4" to 10" (20mm to 250 mm) |
| O-Ring Material | HNBR |
| Media Compatibility | Compressed air, nitrogen & inert gases, vacuum, oils & motor fluids. |
| Fitting Material | Aluminum with stainless steel grip ring |
Fitting Type Comparison: Grip Ring vs. Traditional Methods
When choosing fittings for aluminum pipe systems, installation time, reliability, and long-term performance matter. While traditional options like cutting rings, threaded steel, and soldered copper are widely used, they often require specialized tools and labor.
Unipipe’s proprietary grip ring fitting delivers a secure 360° mechanical bite — faster to install, easier to reuse, and just as durable for compressed air and inert gas applications.
Here’s how grip ring fittings compare to other common fitting types:
| Feature | Unipipe Grip Ring | Cutting Ring | Copper/Iron/Steel Fittings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hot Work Needed | No | No | Yes / Maybe |
| Threading/Grooving | No | Often Yes | Yes |
| Specialized Labor | No | Yes | Yes |
| Time per Connection | 2–3 min | 5–10 min | 6–10 min |
| Reusable | Yes | Sometimes | No |
| Typical Installation Cost | $6,000 | Varies | $12,000 |
Fast Installation Instructions for Grip Fittings
Unipipe’s grip ring system simplifies aluminum pipe installation by eliminating the need for threading, welding, or specialized tools, enabling faster, cleaner, and more precise work, even on tight timelines or retrofit projects:
- Cut the pipe to length: Use a standard pipe cutter for a clean, straight edge. This helps ensure a proper seal and prevents damage to internal components.
- Deburr the cut end: Smooth out any sharp edges to protect the O-ring and allow the pipe to seat correctly inside the fitting.
- Mark the insertion depth: Use the provided depth marking tool to indicate how far the pipe needs to be inserted for a proper fit.
- Insert the pipe: Push the pipe into the fitting until it reaches the depth mark. Use a small amount of soap and water to lubricate if needed. Ensure the pipe is aligned straight and fully seated.
- Hand-tighten the nut: Turn the nut by hand until snug to begin securing the grip ring around the pipe.
- Final tightening: Use a wrench to give the nut an additional ¼ turn — this activates the grip ring, locking the pipe in place and compressing the O-ring pipe fitting for a secure, leak-free connection.
That’s it — a secure, leak-free connection in under two minutes, ready for reliable, long-term performance.
Request Your Demo Kit!
Want to see the Unipipe grip ring in action? Request a demo kit today! Or contact our experts for more information.
