What Are AN Fittings?

If you’re a car enthusiast or a mechanical engineer you may have heard about AN fittings. These fittings are essential components that are commonly found in high-pressure fluid systems particularly in the automotive aerospace industries. AN fittings are designed to provide a secure leak-free connection between hoses other components in a fluid delivery system.

What Does “AN” StFor?

AN stands for “Army-Navy.” In the early 20th century the U.S. Army Navy were developing high-performance aircraft engines that required a reliable leak-free fluid delivery system. As a result they standardized fittings hoses using a numbering system that later became known as AN size. The AN size indicates the outside diameter of the tubing or hose it ranges from AN-2 to AN-32.

What Makes AN Fittings Unique?

AN fittings are made from high-quality materials such as aluminum steel stainless steel which can withsthigh temperatures pressures. They feature a 37-degree flared end a tapered thread which ensures a tight seal prevents leakage even under high-pressure conditions. Additionally AN fittings are available in various shapes sizes including straight 45-degree 90-degree angles as well as male female ends making them suitable for different fluid delivery system designs.

How Do AN Fittings Work?

AN fittings are used in conjunction with AN hoses which have a braided stainless steel outer layer a reinforced inner tube. The AN fitting compresses this outer layer onto the inner tube creating a secure leak-free connection. AN fittings are designed to work with a specific AN hose size so it’s essential to match the AN size of the fitting with the AN size of the hose.

Applications of AN Fittings

AN fittings are commonly used in high-pressure fluid delivery systems found in the automotive aerospace industries but they also have several other applications. AN fittings are often used in hydraulic systems fuel systems even in industrial applications such as chemical processing plants. AN fittings are a critical component in any system that requires the delivery of fluid under high pressure must be reliable leak-free.

Conclusion

AN fittings are an essential component in high-pressure fluid delivery systems particularly in the automotive aerospace industries. The Army-Navy numbering system used to identify these fittings has become a standard for high-performance fluid delivery systems worldwide. AN fittings are made from high-quality materials are designed to provide a secure leak-free connection between hoses other components in a fluid delivery system. When selecting AN fittings it is crucial to ensure that the AN size of the fitting matches the AN size of the hose to ensure a proper seal.