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TAPERED PIPE THREADS AND FITTINGS: MAKING THE CONNECTION

Before installing gas or liquid tight connection, it is crucial to understand what tapered pipe threats are and how they work.

Difference between tube and pipe: Yes they are not same.

Pipe and tubes have a hollow structure and are typically designed to provide a track for fluids and gases to pass through.
 The significant difference between the pipe and tube is that pipe walls are much stiffer and thicker making them stronger than tube walls. Tubing walls are not meant to be threaded because they are too thin to provide a firm hold. Pipe walls being thicker and stiffer can be easily used to mould and cut threads and also give a high support.
Threaded pipes are sufficient to provide tight connections to liquid and gas flow that are also mechanically strong.

Let’s understand the mechanism of pipe threads.
When the pipe fittings are weak, or of a low standard, they can result in breakage or leakage increasing the production expenses.
Fittings that are effective and firm connect your process fluid handling system without any restrictions, leakage or production downtime.

Pipe Threads
Pipe threads come in multiple form and quality ranging from national to international standards. Pipe threads variation depends on the purpose they are being used for instance fire hose threads and garden hose threads among the others. There is a whole history of the development of the “standard” pipe sizes and different shapes of the threads. The primary example of this is the differences between the British and American threads: The units of the measure also play a vital part when it comes to differentiation.
The two basic or we can say significant categories of pipe threads are:
•  Parallel pipe thread
•  Tapered pipe thread


What Are Tapered Pipe Threads
The primary function of piping and fittings is to carry gases and liquids, due to this they need to have a threaded pipe nipples connection that allows a steady flow of gas and fluid. Tapered threads are proven to make better and strong seals. The form of male and female threads can compress and wedge themselves together. As a result, the connections formed by these threads are strong and leak resistant.
The two most widely known standards for tapered pipe threads are:
•    NPT American National Standard Taper Pipe Thread
•    BSPT British Standard Pipe Taper Thread

NPT pipe thread is known as the most common tapered pipe thread mostly used in America and Canada. NPT pipe thread is incompatible with BSPT pipe threads.

Why BSPT and NPT pipe threads are incompatible:

Difference of thread angle or included angle

•    NPT threads are of a 60-degree angle
•    Whereas, BSPT threads are of a 55-degree angle

Difference of Thread Shape

•    NPT threads have flattened surface peaks and valleys
•    On the other hand, BSPT threads have rounded peaks and valleys

Thread pitch (TPI, threads per inch)

•    Each BSPT and NPT pipe thread size contains a specific number of threads per inch


Some common acronyms for American tapered pipe thread types

•    NPT                         National Pipe Thread Taper
•    FPT, FNPT, NPT(F)*     Female or internal tapered pipe threads
•    MPT, MNPT, NPT(M)    Male or external tapered pipe threads

•    *This is not NPTF. NPTF stands for National Pipe Taper Fuel. It is also called Dryseal American National Standard Taper Pipe Thread. The design of NPTF provides leak-free connections without using sealants.

• There are parallel and tapered pipe threads for all pipe standards. NPS, National Pipe Straight, is the American standard for parallel or straight pipe threads.
Why Tapered Pipe Threads Need Sealant
Tapered pipe threads require a sealant for leak-resistant connections. It can fill many vacant spaces between the two threads that can cause a spiral leakage. Sealant also functions as a lubricant between the female and the male threads.

The assembling parts and pipes made out of dissimilar materials demand special care.
This is due to sealants make it easier to tighten the fittings over. Extra over tighten fittings are easily prone to get damaged and can also cause leakage.

Benefits of the Right Fit
Connecting to fluid line components needs appropriate fittings, and just like tubing and piping connectors are also available in different materials to cater your different needs. If you’re looking for softer and flexible tubing go for fittings with hose barb connections, the soft tubing material tends to relax the barb lip creating a firm seal.  Whereas, the rigid tubing cannot seal properly with a hose barb and instead demands a compression fitting.

Conclusion
Having a sound understanding regarding tapered pipe thread makes it easier to decide the best component, especially when it comes to tapered pipe fittings. Parts with matching threads always function better because matching threads are mechanically firmer and create better gas-tight and liquid-tight seals.

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