Stainless Steel National Pipe Tapered Fuel Fittings
Stainless Steel National Pipe Tapered Fuel Fittings
National Pipe Tapered Fuel (NPTF) thread is one of the most common taper pipe threads in the United States. When a male fitting and female fitting mate, a seal is created by the female hose end crushing the thread, creating a mechanical lock. However, it is recommended that teflon tape or pipe sealant is used with NPFT fittings to prevent leaks.
NPTF fittings are used in a wide array of applications, including electrical conduits, fuel connections, hand railings, and high pressure pipes that carry gas or fluids. While NPTF hose ends are still widely used in hydraulic applications, the National Fluid Power Association (NFPA) states that using NPTF fittings for hydraulic applications is not recommended.
We offer NPTF adapters made from either carbon steel or stainless steel. While carbon steel parts are offered at a lower price point, there are many advantages to fittings made from stainless steel. The most well known advantage is resistance to corrosion. Stainless steel is made with at least 10% chromium. When exposed to oxygen, chromium forms a thin, invisible layer over the surface of the steel, which is impervious to both air and water, and reforms quickly if scratched. Because of this layer, stainless steel is an excellent choice for corrosive environments.
Stainless steel also offers temperature resistance, strength to weight, and aesthetic advantages. Some grades of stainless steel can withstand extreme temperatures; some grades will maintain strength at extremely high temperatures, and others can perform well at extremely low temperatures. Because stainless steel is so resistant to corrosion and temperatures, less of it is needed to make a connector than other materials. Pipe walls can be thinner, for example. As for aesthetic qualities, stainless steel is offered in a variety of finished and is easy to keep clean. All factors combined, you have hydraulic fittings and pipe that are strong, extremely effective, and aesthetically pleasing.