A great variety of sealants for connecting pipes have appeared. Threads or joints are covered with whatever they can, and every master praises what he likes. We have collected for you the main types of sealants and invite you to figure out in which cases which sealant is best to use for sealing threaded connections.
From the entire arsenal, the following can be distinguished:
- Adhesive sealant
- Silicone
- FUM tape
The question “which pipe sealant is better and which is worse?” - incorrect. In order to understand this question, it needs to be posed somewhat differently: “What type of sealing of threaded connections should be used in specific conditions?”
Let's start with what kind of sealant should not be used for threaded connections:
- Silicone (good for flange connections);
- Ship's red lead;
- Whitewash, various types of paints.
So, there are 4 types of material left:
- Thread;
- Adhesive sealant;
- FUM tape.
Seal flax
Flax for winding threaded connections
You can use flax as a winding for pipes on all metal parts: brass, cast iron, steel. With limitations, flax can be used where metal threads are soldered into plastic threads. A bad option would be to use linen on completely plastic parts. When sealing threaded connections where the sealant is flax, a large tightening torque is required. This moment can sometimes exceed the capabilities of plastic parts, which is why it is possible to break the thread itself.
Plumbing thread
Sealing threads with plumbing thread
Plumbing thread is an excellent winding material for pipes with one drawback: its high price. It cannot be torn by hand and is suitable for sealing all threaded joints (even those that have a torn surface from a bad thread cutting tool). As for plastic parts, the tightening torque required when using threads is not the same as when using flax. Plumbing thread can be used for all parts.
Anaerobic sealant
Anaerobic sealant
Anaerobic sealant is certainly suitable for sealing all plastic threaded connections, for brass, for cast iron, factory-made, but there is one peculiarity on steel parts.
When threads are made in a steel part, various types of lubricants are used that get onto the threads. When applying glue, once it hits a greasy area, it lingers there. This may not be noticed. Once the coupling begins to be turned, a channel may form through which the liquid will then flow out.
It is not always possible on site to remove grease from the surface of the thread. Therefore, it is not recommended to use glue-sealant as a sealant for steel threads and parts, since there is flax and thread.
When using sealant, pay attention to what kind of adhesive sealant you got. Some grades require heating when disassembling the joint. Imagine a metal connection with a metal coupling followed by a plastic pipe. To disassemble it, you must first heat it up (obviously more than 100 degrees). For the metal part this does not matter, but the plastic pipe may later be damaged. Therefore, look at what type of threaded connections you seal with sealant!
Fum tape
Fum tape
eFum tape does not inspire confidence as a sealant for pipes. But the tape can be used in a summer cottage or in a vegetable garden, since there is nothing to worry about if something leaks.
How to seal a joint with flax?
When sealing threaded connections, you need to be very careful. Accuracy is the key to ensuring that nothing leaks. When working, you will need a special paste, which you cannot do without. It can be applied to the thread immediately or to already wound flax.
Paste gets your hands dirty. It's not very pleasant to wipe them off. Therefore, there is a life hack - the installer first sits down, winds flax onto a threaded connection, checks the quality of the winding (everything should be smooth) and then uses the paste, making a dozen connections at once. The connection must be free of protruding hairs, the first two turns remain free so that you can safely screw the coupling onto the external thread. And towards the end of the thread a roller or thickening is formed.
All compaction occurs on the last two threads. They are not completely cut through, smaller than the other turns. They are sealed by gluing the sealing material between the two parts.
How to wind with thread?
If the thread is smooth, then a key is used to apply notches. The thread is wound starting from the third turn. After this, the thread should have loose first two turns, just like with flax, and a seal on the last two turns. If everything is done correctly, the sealing of the threaded connections will be perfect.
How to apply adhesive sealant?
It is impossible to apply sealant to many joints at once, as with flax. The glue is applied to the thread immediately before the “sausage” connection, which is then well spread over the entire thread. This is necessary to prevent empty spaces from appearing through which water can then seep through.
The threads should be checked after sealing the connection. Therefore, sealant is used quite rarely, in the most necessary cases. For example, when you need to connect a plastic part with a metal one, you can’t think of anything better than glue.
The manufacturer recommends applying sealant to only one part, but experience says otherwise. If you are sealing a threaded connection that will be difficult to get to, then apply the glue well with your finger to the coupling and threads so that there are no unpainted areas anywhere. It has a blue or red color, it is clearly visible. It is necessary that all the streams are filled and then the parts can be connected. For steel parts, it is better not to use glue as a sealant for pipes.
Bottom line
If you are a professional, then you must have 3 types of pipe seals in your suitcase:
- Thread;
- Adhesive sealant.
If you are not a professional and want to do something for yourself, then you will have a choice between flax and thread. Most likely you won't need glue at all. You can practice with flax or thread if you don't want to spend a lot of time and effort.
To seal threaded connections of plumbing communications, it is rational and convenient to use polyamide or fluoroplastic threads impregnated with special lubricants, which give the threads moisture resistance, and also protect the outer surface of the thread from corrosion. In addition, this is a modern, less labor-intensive and reliable solution to the issue of sealing threaded connections in plumbing.
For proper and high-quality sealing and sealing of a threaded connection, it is necessary to strictly follow the technological process for performing this operation, which otherwise will lead to leakage of the connection and its short service life. I place the tip of the thread at the beginning of the thread on the pipe, so that the thread lies completely in the groove between the ridges of the thread to its very bottom.
In this case, the fundamental factor is the direction of the thread. It is worth strictly considering that the thread is wound along the thread. In plumbing, this is an important factor, since depending on the connections made and connections of sanitary fixtures to water supply and heating communications, there are both left and right thread directions. Otherwise, when twisting the parts, the thread will simply be squeezed out of the joint by the screwed part. Having decided on the direction of winding the sealing thread, I lay it in a uniform, dense first layer along the entire length of the thread. Then, in three stretched turns, I return to the beginning of winding the thread, that is, again to the beginning of the thread, and repeat the operation.
By repeating the winding in this manner, I achieve the required layer of sealing thread sealant, which allows the operation of screwing up the threaded joint to be carried out with an interference fit. Having finished winding the last layer of seal, I return the thread to the beginning of the thread and cut it with a sharp knife. This action is important so that when starting the connection, the wound part initially tightly presses the end of the thread and does not allow it to relax further. Since, depending on the manufacturer of the thread, its diameters vary significantly in relation to each other, it makes no sense to recommend the number of wound layers and you only need to focus on the degree of density of the parts being twisted.
Winding the thread crosswise, as in the instructions
A uniform and dense-feeling force during this operation indicates the result of a high-quality connection and optimal thread adjustment. When twisting the parts of a threaded connection with an adjustable or open-end wrench, you immediately feel a reasonable force during this action; the parts should in no way be screwed together by hand. Protrusion and squeezing of the thread from the connection indicates an excess of sealant and is fraught with the formation of a defect in one of the parts being connected; often the screwed part can simply burst. The lack of effort when screwing up indicates a lack of application of the sealing thread to the thread, and such a connection will definitely not be airtight and will be guaranteed to leak.
The apparent simplicity of this action at first glance actually requires a serious approach to its implementation. After all, the reliability of the entire system and the absence of emergency situations during its further operation depend on the quality of sealing.
Sealing threaded connections in heating, water and gas supply systems is perhaps the most important task for a plumber or gas equipment installer. Not only the normal functioning of the system, but also the safety of the structure in which it is installed depends on the quality of the work performed. The threaded connection itself is very strong, but it is not capable of holding liquid or gas without special treatment. There are quite a few means for sealing, one of them is a special polymer thread for sealing threaded connections, which will be discussed.
“Moment Germent”, length 15 m.
Application area
Thread sealing thread (or sealing thread) is a new generation universal polymer sealant used for both metal and plastic pipes for various purposes. It is made of two types of material: polyamide or fluoroplastic.
"SantekhNit", length 50 m.
Polyamide is a low-wrinkle synthetic fiber with an upper temperature limit of 130°C. Thread made from this material has increased wear resistance (10 times more than cotton) and resistance to many aggressive environments. When wound onto a thread, it can withstand a water pressure of 16 bar and a gas pressure of 8 bar.
Sprit sealing thread complete with an additional 50 m skein.
Fluoroplastic is a fluorine-containing polymer with an upper temperature limit of more than 200°C. It is characterized by plasticity, heat resistance and high adhesion. Even more resistant to aggressive environments than polyamide. Polyamide thread, when wound on a thread, can withstand pressure up to 30 bar.
"Tangit Uni-Lock", length 80 m.
Any seal for threaded connections is impregnated with a special lubricant to ensure the reliability of the threaded connection. It is hygienic, does not decompose and prevents the development of corrosion. The connections assembled on such a thread are easy to adjust (adjust), which is very convenient if you need to install a tap, pressure gauge or fitting in the desired position.
At the same time, there is a danger that with a sharp change in temperature and increased vibration, the plumbing thread may become deformed, which will lead to a leak of liquid (gas). For this reason, professional plumbers of the Soviet school often prefer - an old, proven product, if handled skillfully, will never fail.
Tangit Uni-Lock.
Winding technique
No special preparation of the thread is required before winding (you don’t even have to remove the rust - the connection will not be damaged). The only condition is that the thread must be intact and preferably have a pitch of 14 threads per inch. With a larger pitch (11 threads per inch), there is a real danger of thread breakage due to its small thickness.
"SantekhNit", length 20 m.
The part (pipe, coupling, fitting, etc.) is taken in one hand, and the thread itself is taken in the other to seal the threaded connections. Winding begins from the beginning of the thread and proceeds further along the thread obliquely clockwise. At the beginning of the thread, you should wind a thicker layer, since when tensioned, the thread will “go” deep into the thread. This will ensure uniform distribution of the sealant along the length of the joint.
"SantekhNit", length 20 m.
The number of turns of the universal thread depends on the diameter of the pipe: the larger it is, the thicker the winding should be. Many packages provide recommendations in this regard. If there are none, and there are no practical skills, it is advisable to make several test connections to find the best option. It's better to play it safe and reel in more. “Overkill” is determined by excessively strong tightening force and squeezing the thread outward.
Video
Common name TANGIT UNI LOCK- differs in smaller packaging.
| 1. Clean the thread and roughen it if necessary. 2. Starting at the end of the pipe, wrap Loctite 55 onto the pipe threads in the same direction as the helix thread. For best results, do not place sealing thread directly into the thread groove. Wind the cord around the thread and try to tighten it. 3. Cut the required length of thread using the knife built into the dispenser. Smooth the free end into the threads. 4. Attach the female thread fitting. 5. Tighten with a wrench until it stops. If necessary, the assembled units can be adjusted. |
|
|
Recommended amount of thread depending on thread diameter (metal)
*The number of threads may vary for threads not conforming to DIN 2999-1 or ISO 7/1.
Plastic pipe threads require at least twice as much material as recommended for metal threads.
- Before applying the product, degrease, clean and dry the surfaces of the parts - what the product can be used for Loctite 7063 (150 mlor400 ml).
- It is not recommended to use activators and cleaners from third-party manufacturers, becausetheir chemistry may not be compatible with Loctite anaerobic products
Loctite Liquid Threadlocker Average Consumption Chart
In practice, when filling threaded gaps of 0.1 mm (in M3-M10 threads) and 0.2 mm (in M20-M30 threads), the product consumption increases by 20% of the above.
The above table provides information on the estimated consumption of Loctite thread sealants for various applications. The practical consumption of Loctite thread sealants will depend on the actual gap in the connection, differences in viscosity due to temperature changes, as well as certain product losses during the technological process. Taking into account the above, in order to normalize product consumption during the production process, it is recommended to carry out preliminary test assemblies.
Example of applying liquid thread sealant
Go to cart
Characteristics
- Type of material: treated polyamide multi-filament thread.
- Temperature/pressure resistance:
Gas: from -20 o C to +70 o C, ≤ 5 bar;
Hot water: up to +130 o C, ≤ 7 bar;
Drinking water: up to +85 o C, ≤ 16 bar.Universal thread for sealing Tangit UNI-LOCK 20 meters
- This product has been tested and complies with EN 751-2 for connection class ARp, which forms the basis for DVGW approval (Certificate No. NV-5142BP5597).
- The product has been approved for use in pipe fittings (gas, cold and hot water). In addition, it has drinking water approval to BS 6920 (1996).
- Resistant to gases of groups 1, 2 and 3 (group 3 in the vapor phase), hot and cold water, gas condensates, compressed air and industrial oils.
Areas of application
- Tangit Uni-Lock thread is a universal material for sealing threaded pipes.
It allows sealing of threaded assemblies (ISO 7-1), such as couplings and pipe fittings with both cylindrical and tapered threads.
- Operating range: supply of cold and hot water up to 130 o C and gas.
- Tangit Uni-Lock is especially useful in applications where threaded connections need to be ready for use immediately and allow for minor adjustments before use.
- Not recommended for use in pure oxygen and/or oxygenated systems, chlorine or other strong oxidants, gasoline, diesel fuel or fuel oil.
Application
- Preparing threads for sealing:
If necessary, use a brush to clean the metal threads. Before starting the wrapping operation, it is recommended to file the metal threads. - Application:
The tape is wound onto the thread in the direction of the thread turns, starting from the end of the pipe. The thread grooves should be filed using a file and then the threads should be wrapped without necessarily getting into the grooves. The tape can be cut using the cutting edge provided on the lid of the container. The tape is wound spirally in the container and will unwind without effort. Make sure the product is applied with some tension.
Consumption
Package
Distribution container containing 20, 80 or 160 meters of thread. The container is equipped with a convenient knife for cutting the thread. Containers should be kept tightly closed until ready to use. For long-term storage, containers should be kept in a cool, dry place.
Loading...