Hydraulics
BURLEIGH BAILEY | Parker Hannifin Corp.
Tube Fittings Div., Columbus, Ohio
NAME
that thread
Four basic steps identify threads on
industrial hydraulic fittings.
D
etermining
the correct HOW TO IDENTIFY THREADS
thread for STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4
a hydrau- Determine if
Determine pitch Determine size Thread type Thread designation
tapered or parallel The chart sum-
lic fitting sounds simple. marizes the
Size-pitch, type (for
But a burgeoning global 12, 14, 16, 18, Measure with four-step thread
Parallel UN/UNF (SAE) example, 3 /4-16
20, 24 caliper ID process. *Note
marketplace for hydraulic UN/UNF)
Compare with NPT/NPTF (Ameri- Size-pitch, type ( 1 that JIS (Japanese
equipment has produced a Tapered 11 1/2, 14, 18, 27 Industrial Stan-
profile can Pipe) /4-18 NPT)
proliferation of fittings and Compare with dards) threads are
Parallel 11, 14, 19, 28 BSPP (British Pipe) G, size* (G 1/8) identified similar to
connectors. This makes cor- profile
BSPP and BSPT but
rect identification of threads Compare with
Tapered 11, 14, 19, 28 BSPT (British pipe) R, size* (R 1/2) defined with PF and
profile
an increasingly difficult and Measure with M, size X pitch
PT, respectively. For
frustrating task, even for the Parallel 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 Metric parallel example, PF 1 /8
caliper (M14 X 1.5)
and PT 1 /2.
most-experienced techni- Measure with
M, size X pitch, keg
Tapered 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 Metric tapered or taper (M10 X 1
cian and engineer. caliper
keg or taper)
Most people in the fluid-
power industry are aware of American pipe threads (NPT/ miliar threads, usually classified as “metric,” regardless of their
NPTF) and what are often called SAE or Unified threads (UN/ actual form. In reality, there are true metric threads as well as
UNF). But there seems to be an endless number of other unfa- BSP (British Standard Pipe) threads.
Hydraulic fittings have either tapered or parallel threads. But tapered Using a thread-pitch gage is the easiest way to determine pitch.
ones are not always pipe threads, and pipe threads can be parallel.
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Hydraulics
For identification UN/UNF, NPT/NPTF, AND NPSM THREADS
pu r p o s e s , hyd r au - SAE 37° SAE
24° SAE 45° Taper pipe
lic tube fittings and Dash O-ring face flare straight Pipe swivel
flareless flare (SAE (NPT/
c on n e c t or s c an b e size seal (Formally thread (NPSM)
(inch) flare) NPTF)
JIC) (ORB)
divided into six dif-
2 - 5 /16-24 5 /16-24 5 /16-24 5 /16-24 1 /8-27 1 /8-27
ferent thread types:
3 - 3 /8-24 3 /8-24 3 /8-24 3 /8-24 1 /8-27 1 /8-27
UN/UNF, NPT/NPTF,
4 9 /16-18 7 /16-20 7 /16-20 7 /16-20 7 /16-20 1 /8-27 1 /8-27
BSPP (BSP, parallel),
BSPT (BSP, tapered), 5 - 1 /2-20 1 /2-20 1 /2-20 1 /2-20 1 /8-27 1 /8-27
metric parallel, and 6 11 /16-16 9 /16-18 9 /16-18 9 /16-18 5 /8-18 1 /4-18 1 /4-18
metric tapered. Three 8 13 /16-16 3 /4-16 3 /4-16 3 /4-16 3 /4-16 3 /8-18 3 /8-18
are parallel (UN/UNF, 10 1-14 7 /8-14 7 /8-14 7 /8-14 7 /8-14 1 /2-14 1 /2-14
BSPP, metric parallel) 12 1 3 /16-12 1 1 /16-12 1 1 /16-12 1 1 /16-12 1 1 /16-14 3 /4-14 3 /4-14
and three are tapered 14 1 5 /16-12 1 3 /16-12 1 3 /16-12 1 3 /16-12 - 3 /4-14 3 /4-14
(NPT/NPTF, BSPT, 16 1 7 /16-12 1 5 /16-12 1 5 /16-12 1 5 /16-12 - 1-11 1 /2 1-11 1 /2
metric tapered). Three 20 1 11 /16-12 1 5 /8-12 1 5 /8-12 1 5 /8-12 - 1 1 /4-11 1 /2 1 1 /4-11 1 /2
are pipe threads (NPT/ 24 2-12 1 7 /8-12 1 7 /8-12 1 1 /2-11 1 /2 - 1 1 /2-11 1 /2 1 1 /2-11 1 /2
NPTF, BSPT, BSPP) 32 2 1 /2-12 2 1 /2-12 2 1 /2-12 2 1 /2-12 - 2-11 1 /2 2-11 1 /2
and three are not (UN/
UNF, metric parallel, metric tapered). Keep in mind that lighted background with a pitch gage. Because some thread
tapered does not necessarily mean it is pipe thread (for exam- pitches are nearly identical, try several gages before deciding
ple, metric tapered). And pipe threads can be parallel (for on the one that fits best. (Possible pitches are shown in the
instance, BSPP). second column of How to identify threads.)
Determining the correct type of thread is critical for select- 3. Determine size. The two methods for sizing threads
ing the proper mating or replacement fitting. First and fore- depend on whether the threads are pipe or non-pipe. For pipe
most it is a safety issue. Correct assembly maintains pressure threads, determine nominal size by comparing the part against a
and reliably seals a fitting or adapter. It also prevents costly size profile, (as shown in the accompanying image). A good rule
and time-consuming thread stripping and damage. Regardless of thumb for pipe sizes up to 2-in. nominal is to measure the OD
of thread type, using a few simple tools and the following steps and subtract 1 /4 in. Round off for the nominal pipe size.
will result in proper identification. For other threads, determine actual size by measuring the
1. Determine if the thread is tapered or parallel. Sometimes OD (major diameter) with a caliper.
visual inspection is sufficient. Tapered threads get smaller in 4. Designate the thread. Technically, this final step is not
diameter toward the end of the fitting while parallel threads part of the identification process but, rather, a method of des-
have the same diameter from end to end. If this is not obvious ignating thread types in a standard format. It usually indicates
just by looking at the fitting, use the parallel jaws of a caliper, thread size (nominal or actual), type and, in some cases, pitch.
for example, to make a comparison. An O-ring or tube nut Grab a handful of “mystery threads” and practice the four-
usually indicates parallel threads. step ID process. It’s kind of like learning how to change a tire
2. Determine pitch. Pitch is typically defined in terms of — a useful skill to have when the need arises.
threads per inch (TPI)
or distance between
BRITISH STANDARD THREADS
DIN 3852- ISO 1179-3 DIN 3852-
threads. For met- Thread
60° cone 60° cone 30° flare JIS B2351
BSPT 2 Type E Type G 2 Type B
ric threads, pitch is (BSPP) BS (BSPP) JIS (BSPP) JIS (BSPP)
(BSPP) (BSPP) (BSPP)
the distance between 1 /8-28 G 1 /8 - - - R 1 /8 G 1 /8 G 1 /8 G 1 /8
threads in millime- 1 /4-19 G 1 /4 PF 1 /4 PF 1 /4 PF 1 /4 R 1 /4 G 1 /4 G 1 /4 G 1 /4
ters. Use a pitch gage 3 /8-19 G 3 /8 PF 3 /8 PF 3 /8 PF 3 /8 R 3 /8 G 3 /8 G 3 /8 G 3 /8
to compare threads, 1 /2-14 G 1 /2 PF 1 /2 PF 1 /2 PF 1 /2 R 1 /2 G 1 /2 G 1 /2 G 1 /2
or accurately measure 5 /8-14 G 5 /8 - - - - - - -
and calculate the num- 3 /4-14 G 3 /4 PF 3 /4 PF 3 /4 PF 3 /4 R 3 /4 G 3 /4 G 3 /4 G 3 /4
ber of threads within 1-11 G1 PF1 PF1 PF1 R1 G1 G1 G1
a given length. It is 1 1 /4-11 G1 1 /4 PF1 1 /4 PF1 1 /4 PF1 1 /4 R1 1 /4 G1 1 /4 G1 1 /4 G1 1 /4
much easier to com- 1 1 /2 -11 G1 1 /2 PF1 1 /2 PF1 1 /2 PF1 1 /2 R1 1 /2 G1 1 /2 G1 1 /2 G1 1 /2
pare threads against a 2-11 G2 PF2 PF2 PF2 R2 G2 G2 G2
2 MACHINE DESIGN
Hydraulics
Use calipers measure nonpipe size. Determine pipe-thread size by comparing threads against nominal-
size profiles.
HELPFUL HINTS FOR THREAD ID Internal threads should not be identified using this method
British taper pipe threads (BSPT) and American pipe because it is difficult to verify the proper fit of the thread pitch
threads (NPT/NPTF) have some similarities and some differ- gage. If possible, find the mating external thread and follow
ences, but there are two sizes, 3 /4, that are difficult to distin- the four-step process to identify it.
guish with the naked eye. The two have the same nominal size It is not unusual to have a tapered external thread connected
and pitch, and sometimes can be differentiated only through to a parallel internal thread.
deductive reasoning. NPSM threads are actually parallel but have the same pitch
Standard thread diameters are normally no larger than their as NPT/NPTF. These threads are typically used inside swivel
stated sizes. Gauged accurately, with a caliper for example, the nuts for holding only. Contact between the 30° internal cham-
measured diameter is normally slightly smaller than the actual fer of the male pipe thread and the seat inside the swivel pro-
thread size. vides the seal.
METRIC THREADS
Tube 24° 24° 24° 24° DIN 3852-1 Port
DIN 3852- DIN 3852-1
size, flareless (LL flareless (L flareless (S 60° cone 30° flare flareless ISO 6149 Metric taper with O-ring and
1 Type E Type B
mm Series) Series) Series) (JIS) retaining-ring seal
4 M8 × 1 — — M12 × 1.5 — — M8 × 1 M8 × 1 keg M8 × 1 M8 × 1 M8 × 1
5 — — — — — — M10 × 1 M10 × 1 keg M10 × 1 M10 × 1 M10 × 1
6 M10 × 1 M12 × 1.5 M14 × 1.5 M14 × 1.5 M14 × 1.5 M12 × 1.5 M12 × 1.5 keg M12 × 1.5 M12 × 1.5 M12 × 1.5
8 M12 × 1 M14 × 1.5 M16 × 1.5 M16 × 1.5 — M14 × 1.5 M14 × 1.5 M14 × 1.5keg M14 × 1.5 M14 × 1.5 M14 × 1.5
10 M14 × 1 M16 × 1.5 M18 × 1.5 M18 × 1.5 — M16 × 1.5 M16 × 1.5 M16 × 1.5 keg M16 × 1.5 M16 × 1.5 M16 × 1.5
12 M16 × 1 M18 × 1.5 M20 × 1.5 M22 × 1.5 M22 × 1.5 M18 × 1.5 M18 × 1.5 M18 × 1.5 keg M18 × 1.5 M18 × 1.5 M18 × 1.5
14 — — M22 × 1.5 — — — M22 × 1.5 M22 × 1.5 keg M20 × 1.5 M20 × 1.5 M20 × 1.5
15 — M22 × 1.5 — — M24 × 1.5 M22 × 1.5 — — M22 × 1.5 M22 × 1.5 M22 × 1.5
16 — M24 × 1.5 M26 × 1.5 — — M22 × 1.5 M22 × 1.5 keg M24 × 1.5 M24 × 1.5 M24 × 1.5
18 — M26 × 1.5 — — — M26 × 1.5 — M26 × 1.5 M26 × 1.5 M26 × 1.5
20 — M30 × 2 — — — M27 × 2 — M27 × 2 M27 × 2 M27 × 2
22 — M30 × 2 — — M30 × 1.5 — — ——
25 — M36 × 2 M38 × 1.5 M33 × 1.5 — M33 × 2 — M33 × 2 M33 × 2 M33 × 2
28 — M36 × 2 — — — M36 × 1.5 — M36 × 2 M36 × 2 M36 × 2
30 — — M42 × 2 — — — M42 × 2 — M42 × 2 M42 × 2 M42 × 2
32 — — — M45 × 1.5 M36 × 1.5 — — — — — —
35 — M45 × 2 — — M45 × 1.5 — — M45 × 2 M45 × 2 M45 × 2
38 — — M52 × 2 — M42 × 1.5 — M48 × 2 — M48 × 2 M48 × 2 M48 × 2
40 — — — M52 × 1.5 — — — — — — —
42 — M52 × 2 — — — — — — — — —
50 — — — — — — M60 × 2 — — — —
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