The Merit Brass union is a class 150 stainless steel 316 cast pipe fitting with female National Pipe Taper (NPT) threads for connecting and extending two male threaded pipes. The union has three pieces and includes a threaded connection that can be screwed or unscrewed to connect or disconnect pipes more easily than couplings. It has NPT threads on both ends for connecting to pipes with tighter seals than straight threads. This union is made of stainless steel 316, which is higher strength and more corrosion resistant than stainless steel 304. This class 150 fitting meets standards ANSI B1.20.1 and ISO 49 for quality assurance. Class is a standard relating to tolerance, construction, dimension, and wall thickness, but it is not a direct measurement of maximum working pressure.

Pipe fittings are components used for connecting, terminating, controlling flow, and changing the direction of piping in many different industries. When purchasing pipe fittings, consider the application, as this will affect material type, shape, size and required durability. Fittings are available threaded or unthreaded, in many shapes, styles, sizes, and schedules (pipe wall thickness).

Merit Brass manufactures pipe nipples following ISO 9001 standards for quality assurance. The company, family-owned since 1937 and headquartered in Cleveland, OH, distributes pipe fittings in the United States and Canada.