Pipe Sealants

Pipe Sealants

Pipe sealants seal threaded pipe connections so they don't leak under pressure. Different sealants suit different applications — anaerobic chemistry for permanent industrial joints, PTFE paste for plumbing and gas, thread tape for the everyday plumbing connection. Getting the right sealant for the application is the difference between a leak-free joint and a callback. AIMS Industrial stocks pipe sealants across the chemistry types Australian tradespeople actually use.

The sealant types we stock

• Anaerobic pipe sealants — cure in the absence of air, give a strong leak-tight seal that's serviceable later (Loctite 567, 577, 542, 565)
• PTFE paste sealants — non-curing, suit lower-pressure threaded connections including potable water
• PTFE thread tape — the everyday plumbing seal — wrap and tighten
• Pipe joint compounds (paste sealants) — traditional pipe dope, suits gas and water service
• Hydraulic-rated thread sealants — for high-pressure hydraulic and pneumatic systems
• Stainless and exotic-alloy sealants — for corrosion-resistant applications

Choosing the right sealant

• High-pressure industrial (hydraulic, pneumatic, process) — Loctite 567 or 577 anaerobic, rated for the pressure
• Plumbing — water, drain, gas (where approved) — PTFE tape or PTFE paste
• Stainless steel pipe — anaerobic sealant with stainless-compatible chemistry, or PTFE tape
• Connections that may need adjustment — PTFE tape or non-curing paste; not anaerobic
• Potable water — only use sealants approved for potable water; check the SDS or product spec

Brands stocked at AIMS

Loctite is the core anaerobic pipe sealant brand — 567, 577, 542, 565 and similar grades cover the industrial range. Permatex stocks complementary thread sealants and pipe joint compounds. Helmar is the Australian-distributed range for general-purpose pipe sealants.

Application — how to actually do it

For PTFE tape: wrap the male thread two to four turns in the direction of tightening (so the tape tightens rather than unwinding as the joint is made up). Don't bunch tape into the bore — it can break off and contaminate the system. For anaerobic sealants: apply to the male thread, leaving the leading two threads bare so the sealant doesn't squeeze into the system. For paste sealants: brush a uniform coating on the male threads and into the female threads if accessible.

What to avoid

Don't combine multiple sealants on the same joint — anaerobic sealants don't cure properly when contaminated with PTFE tape, and the result is a leaky joint that's harder to take apart. Don't use thread sealant on flare or O-ring fittings — those seal on the metal-to-metal flare or the elastomer, not on the threads. The thread is just the clamping mechanism.

Need help matching a sealant to a specific service or pressure? contact our team — we'll match the chemistry to the application.