INTRO TO BLACK IRON PIPE FITTINGS

Black iron pipe is strong, and despite its name, it is actually made of a low-grade “mild steel” compound, not iron. This steel allows the pipe, and its fittings, to have more strength than its copper, aluminum, or PVC counterparts. It is commonly used to transport gas as the extra strength in this metal pipe could be what keeps potentially deadly gas from leaking throughout a home!

What’s An NPT Thread?

While black iron is a low-pressure pipe, the temperature rating is where this metal really shines. The black iron pipe can withstand temperatures of over 538°C and black iron pipe fittings are NPT threaded. Well, NPT stands for National Pipe Tapered, and NPT fittings seal by a wedging action, which makes for an easy installation.

Three Main Types Of Black Iron Pipe Fittings

Here at ohcanadasupply.ca, we carry three types of black iron pipe fittings; malleable iron, forged steel, and seamless fittings.

Malleable iron fittings are made for light industrial and plumbing use up to 300psi. These common fittings are more ductile, which means that they are able to be deformed without losing toughness or becoming brittle. This makes them great for industrial use.

Forged fittings are made of carbon steel, stainless steel, or nickel alloy. The forging process involves heating a piece of carbon steel and molding it into the desired shape, which creates a stronger fitting than casting. Forging actually changes the structure of the steel, specifically the steel grain. Altering the grain flow in fact makes it tighter, which creates a metal that has greater impact and shear strength.

Lastly, we have Seamless fittings. These fittings are made directly from a section of seamless pipe material by applying heat and pressure. Their design allows them to withstand greater pressures and they won’t crack under an extreme load. Since there are no welded parts, these fittings are perfect for use in the oil and gas, chemical, plumbing, and fabrication industries!

Ways To Seal Black Iron Pipe

NPT black iron pipe seal through a wedging action, but they also need a sealant to create a leak-proof seal. Luckily, sealing tape and pipe sealant are inexpensive and easy to apply! But, be careful you need to be sure you’re selecting a sealant that’s compatible with whatever material you’re moving through the pipe.

Sealing tape, commonly referred to as “Teflon Tape” or “PTFE” tape, is a simple way to seal joints without making a mess. PTFE can only withstand temperatures up to 260°C, but that’s more than enough to handle anything nature can throw at it. But best of all, it only takes a few seconds to apply.

Your other option is a pipe sealant, also known as “joint compound” or “pipe dope.” This is a liquid sealant that oozes between threads to maintain a tight seal. Pipe sealant lubricates while it fills in all the microscopic imperfections in a thread. However, the downside to pipe sealant is that it can be quite messy compared to sealing tape.