When to use Male Pipe API Thread Couplings

The American Petroleum Institute (API) is the main US trade organization for the Oil and Gas Industry, they define many of the performance standards for equipment used in the oilfield much like the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) does for on road vehicles. Equipment which is used in the Oil and Gas Industry in the United States must be certified by the API, including hose couplings. Whenever a pipe thread type connection is needed for use in the Oil and Gas Industry, use the Gates MPAPI threaded coupling. LPT (Line Pipe Thread) or API style pipe threads can be easily misidentified as NPT (National Pipe Thread) or NPTF (National Pipe Thread for Fuels). This is because while API pipe threads have the same form as NPT, the couplings have to meet very different specifications. The specifications for API couplings are much more detailed, and different, than those required for NPT. Dimensionally while API1 and NPT couplings share the same thread form, API couplings have an offset between the thread and hex, a longer length hex, and a thicker wall than NPT as shown in Figure 1. The metal used to make API couplings is more tightly regulated than that used for NPT. Also API LPT2 connections are rated at higher working pressures than the SAE NPT connections. Any time a coupling requiring pipe thread is to be used on equipment in the Oil and Gas Industry use an API coupling. Some examples of pipe thread on equipment which will always require an API coupling are hammer unions, drill string, and rotary applications.

Figure 1 - Comparison of MPAPI on the left and MP on the right

Gates large diameter male pipe (MP) couplings come with an orange safety tag attached warning to not use the coupling for oil or gas service- NEVER use MP couplings in an application which requires MPAPI (LPT/API). For additional information contact the Gates Hydraulic and Industrial Hose Product Application group via email at PA0000@Gates.com or via telephone at (303)744-5070.
1. 2. API LPT form is defined in API Specification Standard 5B API LPT working pressures are defined in API Specification Standard 6A

FPTN007201 T-ALL WLG 23MAY2011