Can you use a galvanized fitting for gas

For many years, installers have asked the same question: Can you use a galvanized fitting for gas?

The short answer is: in most regions, galvanized fittings are not recommended, and in some places they are even prohibited by building codes for gas lines. Black iron pipe fittings are still the most widely accepted and cost-effective solution for natural gas and LPG systems.

As a professional manufacturer of malleable iron pipe fittings, JIANZHI supplies both galvanized and black fittings. Our engineering team helps customers worldwide choose safe, code-compliant materials for their gas projects.

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Black vs Galvanized Fittings for Gas: Quick Comparison

Both black steel and galvanized steel fittings are made from similar base material, but the zinc coating on galvanized fittings changes how they behave in gas systems and how codes treat them.

Because of these factors, black iron fittings are the first choice for most gas distribution systems, while galvanized fittings are more often used for water, fire protection and outdoor pipelines.

Need a safe, code-compliant solution for your gas project?

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When Would Anyone Consider Galvanized Fittings for Gas?

Although black iron is the standard choice, in some regions and specific low-pressure applications galvanized fittings may still be considered, if local codes explicitly allow them. Typical examples include:

● Short sections of outdoor gas lines exposed to rain or humid environments.

● Certain low-pressure indoor gas pipelines where local regulations permit galvanized materials.

● Mixed systems where part of the line carries gas and another part carries water, and designers want a unified material.

Even in these cases, we strongly recommend that customers consult a licensed gas installer or engineer and carefully check the local gas code before choosing galvanized fittings.

Why Choose JIANZHI for Gas Pipe Fittings?

JIANZHI is a leading malleable iron pipe fittings manufacturer with more than 40 years of experience in supplying safe, reliable fittings for gas, water and fire protection systems.

You can highlight:

☑ Full product range

→ Black pipe fittings for gas distribution

→ Hot-dip galvanized pipe fittings for water and outdoor pipelines

→ Grooved fittings and flanges for fire protection and large-diameter lines

☑ Certified quality

→ FM, UL, CE, TUV, SGS and other third-party certifications for key products and factories.

☑ Strict quality control

→ Zinc layer thickness up to 70 μm on galvanized fittings, ensuring both corrosion resistance and accurate threads.

☑ Strong capacity & fast delivery

→ Multiple production bases in China and Europe, supporting bulk orders and short lead times.

☑ Engineering support

→ Technical team familiar with EN, ISO, ASME / ANSI and other standards; we help you select the right fittings for each market.

Whether you finally choose black or galvanized fittings for your project, our goal is the same: a safe, code-compliant gas system with reliable, leak-free joints.

→ Send us your gas project details

We should first understand the process of galvanizing. Galvanizing is a technique of protecting pipe fittings from corrosion caused by exposure to the atmosphere by adding a protective coating made of zinc. The most common method of galvanizing is hot dip galvanizing.

Hot dip galvanizing is the process of immersing pipe fittings in molten zinc to produce a corrosion-resistant coating of zinc-iron alloy and zinc metal. When the pipe is immersed in zinc, a chemical reaction occurs between the iron in the pipe and the molten zinc, and the coating develops a uniform thickness over the entire pipe.

The color of the black pipe fittings comes from the iron oxide formed by the natural oxidation of the surface during processing. Since it has no anti-corrosion coating on its surface, minerals in the fitting can dissolve into the water, causing blockages. Therefore it is not suitable for the transport of water. The gas will not corrode the fittings, so black fittings are suitable for gas systems.

Galvanized pipe fittings are ideal for conveying water. Galvanizing gives the fittings higher corrosion resistance and helps prevent the build-up of mineral deposits that can clog the pipes. In the past, the workmanship of galvanizing was poor. The zinc coating of galvanized pipe fittings tends to peel off, exposing the fittings to oxygen and water. In this way there is a risk of corrosion of the pipe fittings, eventually leading to gas leakage. In view of this, the transport of gas with galvanized pipe fitting is dangerous, so it is mainly used for transporting water outdoors and in industry.

But now, the process of galvanizing has improved a lot, and the zinc coating will not peel off. As the largest manufacturer of malleable steel pipe fittings in China, We JIANZHI have three surface treatment methods of hot-dip galvanized, cold-galvanized and black parts for customers to choose from according to different needs. 

The production of galvanized pipe fittings is more costly than the production of black iron fittings. This is due to the additional galvanizing process used in the production of galvanized pipes. In this case, it is assumed that the 2 pipes are of the same thickness. However, if the black iron pipe fitting is thicker than the usually galvanized pipe fitting (e.g. gas pipe fitting), it will be more expensive, which is one of the reasons of more black fittings are used in the transportation of gas.

Therefore, unless there are local regulations, galvanized pipe fittings can be used in gas systems. So when you want to use galvanized pipe fittings in gas pipelines, please consult local regulations first.

But one thing worth noting: black pipe fittings cannot be mixed with galvanized pipe fittings, especially when connecting pipes installed underground. This is because there will be different metallic or galvanic reactions between black iron and galvanized coatings. But don't worry if installed in the atmosphere, the reaction will usually not be as strong as if installed in soil or water.

If you want to know more about high-quality galvanized pipe fittings, please feel free to contact us.