🔧 This article is part of the FluidForce NZ Hydraulic Hose How-To & Troubleshooting Guides.
Explore step-by-step instructions, fitting advice, and safety best practices at our
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Glossary
Understanding the language of hydraulic fittings makes ordering, assembling, and maintaining your hydraulic systems much easier.
To help you, we have put together a glossary of the most common fitting terms.
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BSP (British Standard Pipe) |
Thread standard used widely in NZ, Australia, and the UK. Comes in BSPP (parallel) and BSPT (tapered). |
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JIC (Joint Industry Council) |
37° flare fitting common in North America and on many OEM machines. Metal-to-metal seal |
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ORFS (O-Ring Face Seal) |
Flat face with an O-ring for leak-free connection under high pressure. Excellent for vibration resistance. |
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NPT (National Pipe Taper) |
Tapered thread seal used mainly in North America. Requires thread sealant or tape. |
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DIN / Metric |
European standard fittings with 24° cone seats. Common on imported machinery. |
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SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) |
Covers a range of hydraulic standards including O-ring boss and flare fittings |
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Crimp Ferrule / Sleeve |
The metal collar compressed onto the hose during assembly to secure the fitting |
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Swaged End |
Another term for a crimped connection – permanent and non-reusable. |
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Reusable Fitting |
A two-piece fitting that can be installed without a crimp machine, often used for on-site repairs. |
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Seat Angle |
The angle of the sealing face – typically 37° (JIC), 30° (BSP), or 24° (metric). Critical for compatibility. |
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Thread Pitch |
The distance between thread peaks, measured in threads per inch (TPI) or millimetres. |
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Male / Female Thread |
Male = external thread; Female = internal thread. Both must match in type, size, and sealing style |
Need more help?
If you can’t find the information you need, or want help with your specific set up, get in touch.