Pipe dope
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Pipe dope is any thread lubricant, thread sealing compound, or anaerobic chemical sealant that is used to make a pipe thread joint leakproof and pressure tight.[1] It is also referred to as "thread compound" or "pipe thread sealant."[2] Although common pipe threads are tapered and therefore will achieve an interference fit during proper assembly, machining and finishing variances usually result in a fit that does not result in 100 percent contact between the mating components. The application of pipe dope prior to assembly will fill the minute voids between the threads, thus making the joint pressure tight. Pipe dope also acts as a lubricant and helps prevent seizing of the mating parts, which can later cause difficulty during disassembly.
Composition
A
- fill minute spaces between mating pipe fittings (kaolin), and
- serve as a lubricant as the fittings are forced together (vegetable oil).
Various types of pipe dope formulation exist, the appropriate type being determined by the application, e.g.,
. Improper selection of the type of pipe dope may result in leakage despite the best assembly practices.As recently as the 1950s, toxic
Pipe dopes used in oil drilling frequently include powdered
Plastic pipes
Petroleum-based pipe dope is not intended for use on threaded
References
- ^ "Plant Engineering | Guidelines For Choosing A Pipe Thread Sealant". Plant Engineering. 1998-03-01. Retrieved 2021-05-20.
- ^ "How to Use Pipe Thread Sealant: An Essential Guide". QRFS - Thoughts on Fire Blog. 15 September 2020. Retrieved 2021-05-20.
- ^ "Safety Data Sheet" (PDF).
- ^ "Thread Sealants". www.henkel-adhesives.com. Retrieved 2021-05-20.
- ^ Pipe Fitter 3&2 Navy Training Courses NAVPERS 10592-A, Bureau of Naval Personnel, U.S. Govt. Printing Office, 1953; page 277.
- ^ M. S. Howard, Erecting an Oil Engine, Power Plant Engineering, Vol. XXVI, No. 18 (Sept. 15, 1922); pages 902-904.
- ^ Darrell P. Salisbury and Robert L. Sloan, Process for Cleaning Pipe Dope and Other Solids from Well Systems, U.S. patent 5,676,763, granted Oct. 14, 1997.
- ^ John D. Watts and Beverly W. Ramos, Wedgethread Pipe Connection, U.S. patent 6,682,101, granted Jan. 27, 2004; see claim 24.