All About Teflon Tape (PFTE)

There are two US standards for determining the quality of teflon tape: MIL-T-27730A and A-A-580922314.

MIL-T-27730A is an obsolete military specification that is still commonly used in the industry. It requires a minimum thickness of 3.5 mils and a minimum PTFE purity of 99%. It also specifies the color, width, length and packaging of the tape.

A-A-58092 is a commercial standard that maintains the thickness requirement of MIL-T-27730A, but adds a minimum density standard of 0.7 g/cm3 or 1.2 g/cm3. It also specifies the tensile strength, elongation, dimensions and substrate compatibility of the tape.

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MIL-T-27730A

MIL-T-27730A is a US military specification that defines the quality and performance of thread seal tape, also known as PTFE tape, Teflon tape or plumber’s tape. Thread seal tape is a thin film of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) that is wrapped around pipe threads to seal them and prevent leaks.

MIL-T-27730A was issued in 1963 and has been superseded by A-A-58092 in 1992, but it is still widely used and referenced in the industry. It requires a minimum thickness of 3.5 mils and a minimum PTFE purity of 99%. It also specifies the color, width, length and packaging of the tape.

MIL-T-27730A thread seal tape is suitable for applications that involve non-corrosive media, such as water, air, oil or gas. It has a low coefficient of friction, which makes it easy to apply and remove. It also has a high temperature resistance, which allows it to withstand up to 260°C (500°F).

MIL-T-27730A thread seal tape is available in different colors to identify different types of connections. For example, white tape is for general purpose use, yellow tape is for gas lines, green tape is for oxygen lines and pink tape is for water lines.

MIL-T-27730A thread seal tape is a simple and effective way to seal pipe threads and prevent leaks. It is widely used in plumbing, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, automotive and industrial applications.