can white plumbers tape be used with petroleum products?

Jun 19, 2012 8 Replies

White plumber's tape is made of PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) which is a very inert polymer that's resistant to just about anything, petroleum products included. The white color signifies the least thickness, so it is to be used for sealing NPT threads up to 3/8 inch. That's in plumbing. You will be using it to a different spec if you use it with petroleum product, so my guess would be to use it on even smaller pipes or get yellow PTFE tape instead.

If this is for a really serious job with lives and property at stake, you should get yourself a copy of the British Standard BS 7786:2006 (

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) which will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about PTFE tape, and then some: <q>

Polytetrafluoroethylene, Tape, Sealing materials, Grades (quality), Dimensions, Mass, Length, Thickness, Width, Temperature, Chemical composition, Performance, Leak tests, Visual inspection (testing), Performance testing, Marking, Packaging, Lubricant additives, Determination of content, Dimensional measurement, Wrapping tests </q>

At only £ 96.00 it must be some very interesting read. I don't have a copy of the standard. I honestly never needed to know much more than the fact that it resists anything I can ever come across and does not work on pipes larger than 3/8" (need thicker yellow colored PTFE tape for larger pipes up to 2").

Never use a Teflon tape where there are petroleum based products involved. Over-use or misapplication of this tape could be hazardous. The use of Teflon tape in addition to a pipe dope compound can also be dangerous. It can become too much between the flanks of the pipes. As the tape material is so soft, excess or overhangs may easily break off and form a contaminant and jam the valves. Mallory

Dates

The filled PTFE sealing element provides chemical compatibility, a wide temperature range and high pressure capability

PolyPak rod seals are available in a variety of profiles, energizers and seal materials – providing sealing solutions for light, medium, and heavy duty hydraulic applications.

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