JIC Fittings Guide › JIC Materials & Pressure Ratings
JIC Fitting Materials and Pressure Ratings
JIC fittings are made mainly in carbon steel, stainless steel and brass. Material affects corrosion resistance, temperature range, cost and pressure rating. This page compares the options and explains how to read pressure ratings without guessing. For sizes, see the main JIC fittings guide.
Need a specific material? Get quotes on steel, stainless or brass JIC fittings.
Material Comparison
| Material | Typical finish | Strengths | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon steel | Zinc or zinc-nickel plating, often with trivalent passivation | Most common, cost-effective, high strength | Plating protects against corrosion but can be damaged; not for washdown or marine without extra protection |
| 316 stainless steel | Bare / passivated | Corrosion resistance for marine, food, chemical and offshore service | Higher cost; more prone to galling, so lubrication and correct assembly matter |
| Brass | Bare | Corrosion resistant, easy to machine | Lower strength, so typically lower pressure ratings; common in lower-pressure, fuel, air and instrumentation lines |
How Pressure Ratings Work
- Ratings decrease as size increases. A larger dash size has more area under pressure, so a -24 is typically rated well below a -4 in the same material.
- Shape matters. Elbows, tees, bulkheads and some adapters may be rated differently from straight fittings.
- The weakest component sets the rating. The working pressure of an assembly is limited by the lowest-rated part — fitting, tube, hose or port end.
- Material matters. Brass fittings are usually rated lower than steel of the same size.
- Temperature matters. Ratings are given at stated temperatures; high temperatures can reduce allowable pressure.
SAE J514 and manufacturer catalogs publish working pressures by size and configuration. Always check the specific part number rather than relying on a general chart.
Seals and Temperature
Because JIC seals metal-to-metal, the flare itself has no elastomer limit, which is one reason JIC is used in high-temperature service. Adapters with ORB or ORFS ends do include O-rings, so check seal material (for example nitrile or FKM) for fluid and temperature compatibility.
Choosing a Material
- General mobile and industrial hydraulics: zinc-plated carbon steel.
- Corrosive, washdown, marine or chemical environments: 316 stainless.
- Lower-pressure fuel, air or instrumentation: brass, where the manufacturer's rating fits.
- Avoid mixing dissimilar metals in wet environments without considering galvanic corrosion.
See JIC torque specs for assembly guidance and JIC fitting types guide for configurations.
FAQ
What material are most JIC fittings made from?
Most hydraulic JIC fittings are zinc-plated carbon steel. Stainless steel and brass are used for corrosive or lower-pressure applications.
What is the pressure rating of a JIC fitting?
It depends on dash size, material, shape and manufacturer. Ratings drop as size increases. Check the manufacturer's catalog for the exact part.
Are brass JIC fittings suitable for high-pressure hydraulics?
Brass is generally rated lower than steel. Use it only where the manufacturer's rating meets your system pressure.
Why choose stainless JIC fittings?
For corrosion resistance in marine, food, chemical and washdown environments. Assemble carefully to avoid galling.
Do JIC fittings have a temperature limit?
The metal flare seal has no elastomer, so JIC tolerates high temperatures well. Any O-ring ends on adapters do have temperature limits.
Related guides
- JIC Fittings Guide (main)
- JIC vs NPT
- JIC vs ORFS
- JIC vs AN
- How to Identify a JIC Fitting
- JIC Thread Size Chart
- -4 JIC Fittings
- -6 JIC Fittings
- -8 JIC Fittings
- -10 JIC Fittings
- -12 JIC Fittings
- -16 JIC Fittings
- JIC vs SAE 45° Flare
- JIC vs BSPP
- JIC vs Metric (DIN 24°)
- JIC Torque Specs
- JIC Fitting Types
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