A serious and often unseen problem, particularly for hydraulic, pneumatic, and sensitive fluid system users, is when excess sealant or tape enters the fluid path, reducing flow or causing blockages.

This contamination occurs when:

• PTFE Tape is Shredded: Fragments of tape are sheared off by the female threads and pushed directly into the line as the joint is assembled.
• Excess Liquid Sealant: Too much paste or liquid sealant is applied to the leading threads, which is then squeezed out into the pipe when the fittings are tightened.

This internal contamination is highly destructive, leading to:

• Reduced Flow/Pressure: Blockages restrict fluid movement, reducing system efficiency.
• Component Damage: Hardened sealant or tape fragments can lodge in delicate, expensive components like solenoid valves, orifices, pumps, and filters, causing catastrophic failure.

The solution requires a sealant that guarantees a clean seal by flowing into the threads away from the fluid path and by eliminating any material prone to shredding.

The Clean Sealing Protocol: Applying Away from the Orifice

The best defense against sealant interfering with flow or pressure is a combination of using a non-shredding liquid sealant and adhering to a strict application protocol that keeps the material away from the pipe’s opening.

A good liquid sealant, unlike tape, eliminates the risk of solid fragments being introduced into the system. The key then becomes managing the liquid application.

Recommended Solution: Incure ProGrip™ 209 Hydraulic/Pneumatic Thread Sealant

For maximum cleanliness, reliability, and precision in sensitive fluid systems, we recommend Incure ProGrip™ 209 Hydraulic/Pneumatic Thread Sealant.

The properties of ProGrip™ 209 are designed to ensure a secure, high-pressure seal without introducing contamination.

Why ProGrip™ 209 Protects the Fluid Path:

1. Eliminates Shredding: As a liquid, it completely bypasses the risk of sealant tape shredding. This is paramount in clean systems, where tape contamination is a primary failure mode.
   
2. Controlled Application: Its controlled viscosity allows it to be precisely applied only where needed, ensuring the sealing material is contained within the thread envelope.
   
3. Locks Against Loosening: It cures to a solid that locks the threads, ensuring the joint remains secure over time. A joint that loosens later is another potential source of contamination or failure.

The Critical Steps to Prevent Flow Contamination

To ensure that no excess sealant enters the fluid path with ProGrip™ 209, follow this critical professional practice:

1. Clean Threads First: Clean, bare metal threads are necessary for proper adhesion and cure.
   
2. Target the Male Thread Only: Crucially, only apply sealant to the male threads. Applying sealant to the female port greatly increases the chance of squeeze-out into the pipe.
   
3. Start Two Threads Back (The Rule of Two): Begin applying the continuous bead of Incure ProGrip™ 209 at least two full threads back from the end of the male fitting. This space acts as a safety margin: as the fitting is tightened, the sealant is pushed into the threads (the sealing surface) rather than forward and into the pipe’s orifice.

By strictly adhering to the “Start Two Threads Back” rule with a non-shredding liquid like Incure ProGrip™ 209, you ensure a clean, reliable, high-pressure seal that maximizes flow and protects your critical system components.