JITENDRA SURVE PIPING GUIDE 01/04/03

PIPE THREADS

ANSI/ASME B 1.20.1 defines general purpose pipe threads:

1. Tapered threads
2. Straight threads
For pipes and fittings.
For the same NPD, the number of threads per inch is the same for both
threads.
Most pipe joints are made using the tapered thread form.

THREADED JOINTS
Tapered and straight threads will mate.
Taper/Taper and Taper/Straight (both types) joints are self sealing
with the use of pipe dope ( a compound spread on the threads which
lubricates and seals the joint on assembly), or plastic tape (Teflon).
Tape is wrapped around the external thread before the joint is
assembled.
A straight/straight screwed joint requires locknuts and gaskets to
ensure sealing.

SYMBOLS FOR SPECIFYING THREADS

N = American national standard thread form.
P = Pipe.
T = Taper.
C = Coupling.
F = Fuel and oil.
H = Hose coupling.
I = Intermediate.
L = locknut.
M = Mechanical
R = Railing fittings.
S = Straight.

ANSI B1.20.1 : PIPE THREADS, GENERAL PURPOSE

Taper pipe thread NPT

- Rigid mechanical joint for Railings NPTR
Straight pipe thread -
- Internal, in pipe couplings. NPSC
- Free-fitting, mechanical joints for fixtures NPSM
- Loose-fitting, mechanical joints with locknuts. NPSL
- Loose-fitting, mechanical joints for hose couplings NPSH

ANSI B1.20.3: DRYSEAL PIPE THREADS

Dryseal threads seal against line pressure without the use of pipe dope
or tape.

-1-
JITENDRA SURVE PIPING GUIDE 01/04/03

The seal is obtained by using a modified thread form of sharp crest or

flat root.
This causes interference (metal-to-metal contact) between the
engaged threads, and prevents leakage through the spiral cavity of
mating threads.

Taper pipe thread: -

- Dryseal standard NPTF
- Dryseal SAE short (NPTF type, shortened by one thread) SHORT
PTF-SAE straight pipe thread (internal only)
- Dryseal, Fuel (for use in soft/ductile mate NPSF
- Dryseal, intermediate (for use in hard/brittle materials) NPSI

NPTF is the only type that ensures sealing against line pressure.
If there is no objection to its use, pipe dope may be used with all
threads to improve sealing, and lessen galling of the threads.
Specify pipe threads by: NPS Threads per inch Thread type.
Example : 3 8 NPT

-2-