A Comparative Study on Mechanical Behavior of Pipe-Socket Threaded Joints With Taper-Taper Threads and Taper-Parallel Threads Combinations by Finite Element Analysis and Experiments

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There are two types of combination between external and internal threads used in threaded pipe connections for pressure piping specified in industrial standards like JIS as well as ISO. One is the combination that taper external thread of pipe is engaged with taper internal thread of a fitting. The other is that taper external thread of pipe is engaged with parallel internal thread of a fitting. Taper thread is always used for external thread outside the pipe wall. Both taper thread and parallel one are applicable to internal thread inside the fittings. This paper evaluates the mechanical behaviors of threaded pipe-socket joints (or pipe-coupling joints) and the difference due to the thread type combinations by means of axisymmetric finite element analysis for 3/4” and 3” joints. The analysis shows that the taper-taper threads combination establishes the full-length contact over the engaged threads but the taper-parallel has only a pair of threads in contact at the 1st engaged thread from the end of socket, and the difference results in the different behaviors of the joints. Stress and strain pattern also completely differ due to the difference in the engaged thread length. No significant effect of the size has been found in the present analysis for 3/4”and 3” joints. Experimental tightening tests and pressure leak tests have also been carried out for 3/4” and 3” joints with taper-taper threads combination. The measured experimental stress for 3/4” joints has shown an agreement with the simulated one fairly well. The pressure leak tests have demonstrated that the taper-taper threaded pipe-socket joints can hold internal pressure without leakage without using thread seal tape or jointing compound under low-pressure service condition. The 3/4” joints have started leaking at 1–4MPaG of internal pressure. The 3” joints haven’t shown leakage even at 6MPaG of internal pressure applied.