re: Question for those who work with their hands...Re: Pipe Dope and Teflon Tape

Not an expert.
Teflon tape is for potable water
Pipe dope is not
Never seize is for bolts

Why you asking?

And yes it does

I like Teflon tape

Teflon tape, when applied reverse thread, is fine for low pressure piping, i.e. house, commercial water. For high pressure, high temp, I've always used anti-seize. Tighten the sh!t out of it and tighten it gain for sh!tting. Has never failed

Pipe sealant should only be used on tapered NPT threads, type AN threads require no sealant. theoretically a properly manufactured threaded joint can be considered liquid tight if it extends beyond 3 threads. Because of imperfections in the manufacturing process pipe sealants became popular to assure a leak free joint.

TPFE dope- Is a pipe sealant and is for joints that would be considered permanent.

TPFE tape- Is not a pipe sealant, it only provides lubrication of the threads, and is used on joints that will likely need to be dissembled at some point in the future.

Then there is the other issue of when to use White, Green, or Pink TPFE tape.

quote:

---

I think you have this backwards.

---

LINK

"The purpose of this white, nonsticking tape is to serve as a lubricant when threaded parts of a piping system are being assembled. The inherent slipperiness of the material makes assembly easier.

Strictly speaking, Teflon tape is not a thread sealant (Fig. 1). The tape may have the effect of clogging the thread path, but it does not actually adhere to surfaces as a true sealant should. During installation, the tape must be carefully wrapped in the direction of the threads or it unravels and tears."

quote:

---

I think you have this backwards.

---

"Pipe dope has been used in industrial applications for decades. The material relies on a solvent carrier and hardens when the solvent evaporates. The resulting seal adheres to all plastic and metal pipes and effectively blocks leak paths.

Because it contains solvents, pipe dope has a tendency to shrink over time as the solvent dissipates. This condition creates the potential for the dope to pull away from the thread walls or crack, allowing leaks to develop. Pipe dope is usually applied to threaded components with a brush or spatula."