Stainless Steel Hex Pipe Nipple, Male PT Both Ends
Male PT taper thread on both ends with a hex body in the middle, so a wrench pulls the joint up without touching the threads. 202, 304 or 316 stainless, 1/8″ to 4″, Class 150. Shell mold cast and machined in our own plant in Taiwan.
The hex is the whole point.
A hex pipe nipple is the fitting you reach for when two female-threaded parts have to meet end to end: a valve outlet to a threaded elbow, a pump port to a union, a strainer to the next length of pipe. Both ends carry a male taper thread, and the section in the middle is a hexagon. That hex is the whole point. A plain pipe nipple gives a wrench nothing to grip except the thread itself; the hex flat lets you pull the joint up tight without marring the threads, and lets you back it out again years later.
Ours is shell mold cast in our own plant in Taiwan in 202, 304 or 316 stainless steel and machined after casting, in sizes from 1/8″ to 4″. The threads are PT taper threads on both ends. PT is the Japanese designation for the 55° taper thread that BSPT, R and Rc also describe; it seals on the thread flanks with tape or sealant. It is not the same as NPT, which uses a 60° thread form, and the two should not be mated even where the nominal size looks identical. NPT is made to order: tell us with the enquiry and we will thread it to suit your line.
The pressure class is 150. On stainless threaded fittings that number is a class designation, not a limit of 150 psi; the working pressure depends on temperature and is set by the fitting standard the class belongs to. For most water, air and general fluid lines at ambient temperature it is more than the pipe around it will see.
Choosing between 304 and 316 is the usual stainless question. 304 covers water, air and general service. 316 carries molybdenum, which is what resists chloride pitting, so specify it where the fluid or the surroundings bring chlorides: brine, coastal sites, frequent wash-down, many chemical duties. Whichever grade you choose, order the same grade for the fittings around it; mixing grades in one run buys nothing.
- Model
- FT-HEXN
- Body
- 202, 304 or 316 stainless steel
- Size range
- 1/8″ to 4″
- Thread
- Male PT (BSPT) taper thread, both ends
- Other threads
- NPT made to order
- Pressure
- Class 150
Where it gets used
Every fitting checked for size and thread.
Each fitting is checked for dimensions and thread before shipment.
Is PT the same as NPT?
No. PT is a 55° taper thread, the same family as BSPT, R and Rc. NPT is a 60° thread form. They should not be mated even when the nominal size matches. NPT is made to order; tell us with the enquiry.
Should I choose 304 or 316?
304 for water, air and general service. 316 where the fluid or the surroundings bring chlorides, such as brine, coastal sites, frequent wash-down or chemical exposure; the molybdenum in 316 resists chloride pitting. Use the same grade for the fittings around it.
What does Class 150 mean on a hex nipple?
It is a pressure class designation for stainless threaded fittings, not a 150 psi limit. The working pressure depends on temperature and is set by the fitting standard the class belongs to. Tell us your pressure and temperature and we will confirm the fitting is suitable.
What sizes can I order?
1/8″ up to 4″. Send the sizes and quantities you need and we will quote them together.
How do I install it without seizing the threads?
Wrap the male thread with PTFE tape or apply a thread sealant, put the wrench on the hex flat rather than the thread, and tighten steadily without forcing it. Stainless on stainless can gall if it is run in dry or over-tightened.
