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By Different types of screw threads have evolved for became knownas the British Standard
Mark Schmidt fastening, and hydraulic systems. Of special concern Pipe thread (BSP Taper or BSP Parallel
Applications Engineer are plastic-to-metal, taper/parallel threaded joints in thread). The Whitworththread is now used
Colder Products Company hydraulic circuits. A discussion and recommendations internationally as a standard thread for
are provided to create an awareness of different types jointing low carbon steelpipes.
of threads and how they are used.
The best known and most widely used
connection where the pipe thread
EVOLUTION
providesboth the mechanical joint and the
In the nineteenth century, many different hydraulic seal is the American National
types of screw threads were required for PipeTapered Thread, or NPT. NPT has a
hydraulic and pneumatic circuits as well tapered male and female thread which seals
as fastening components. As a result, withTeflon tape or jointing compound.
manufacturers started to devise their
own fastening systems. This resulted Pipe threads used in hydraulic circuits can
in compatibility problems. The English be divided into two types:
mechanical engineer and inventor, Sir
Joseph Whitworth devised a uniform Jointing threads: are pipe threads for
threading system in 1841 to address the joints made pressure tight by sealing
incompatibility problem. The Whitworth onthe threads and are taper external
thread form is based on a 55 degree thread and parallel or taper internal threads.
angle with rounded roots and crests. Thesealing effect is improved by using a
jointing compound.
In America, William Sellers set the
standard for nuts, bolts, and screws which Fastening threads: are pipe threads where
becamethe National Pipe Tapered Thread pressure tight joints are not made onthe
(NPT) in 1864. His 60 degree thread threads. Both threads are parallel and
angle, incommon use by early American sealing is affected by compression of
clockmakers, enabled the American asoft material onto the external thread,
IndustrialRevolution. These thread forms or a flat gasket.
later became the American National
Standard.
SIZES
The Whitworth thread form was selected Pipe thread sizes are based on an inside
as a connecting thread for pipes, which diameter (ID) or flow size. For example,
wasmade self sealing by cutting at
1/214 NPT identifies a pipethread with
least one of the threads on a taper. This
a nominal inside diameter of 1/2 inch and
14 threads to the inch, made according
to the NPT standard. If LH is added,
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the pipe has a left hand thread. The most is more convenient to knowhow many
common global pipe thread forms are: turns to make by hand and how many
with a wrench. A simple rule of thumb for
NPT: American Standard Pipe Taper installing taperedpipe threads, both metal
Thread and plastic, is finger tight plus one to two
turns with a wrench. Torque installation
NPSC: American Standard Straight
valuescan be determined per application,
Coupling Pipe Thread
but due to the variations involved in pipe
NPTR: American Standard Taper Railing joints such as disimiliar materials ofmale
Pipe Thread and female threads, type of sealants used,
and internal variations in product wall
NPSM: American Standard Straight thickness, a standard torquespecification
Mechanical Pipe Thread cannot be generically applied .
NPSL: American Standard Straight This table shows the distances and number
Locknut Pipe Thread of turns called for in the standard. A
tolerance of plus or minus oneturn is
NPTF: American Standard Pipe Thread allowed, and in practice threads are often
Tapered (Dryseal) routinely cut shorter than the standard
specifies. All dimensionsare in inches.
BSPP: British Standard Pipe Thread
Parallel
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