Thread Sealants

Thread Sealants for Australian Hydraulic, Pneumatic and Pipework Applications

Thread sealants seal threaded connections against pressure leaks while allowing the joint to be tightened correctly and disassembled later if needed. For Australian hydraulic, pneumatic, plumbing, and process pipework applications, the right thread sealant matched to the thread type, fluid, and pressure is essential. Wrong sealant choice produces leaks at startup, contamination of system fluids, or joints that won't disassemble cleanly for service. AIMS Industrial supplies thread sealants from Loctite, Permatex, and Helmar across the chemistry types Australian trade and industrial customers actually use.

The thread sealant types we stock

• Anaerobic thread sealants — cure in the absence of air between threaded surfaces; provide a strong leak-tight seal that's serviceable later (Loctite 567, 577, 542, 565)
• PTFE paste sealants — non-curing; suit lower-pressure applications and threads that may need adjustment
• PTFE thread tape — the everyday plumbing thread seal; wrap the male thread and tighten
• Pipe joint compounds (paste sealants) — traditional pipe dope; still used for gas and water service
• High-pressure hydraulic thread sealants — Loctite 577 and similar; rated for hydraulic system pressures
• Stainless steel thread sealants — formulated for stainless-on-stainless applications without galling

Choosing the right thread sealant

• High-pressure hydraulic and pneumatic — Loctite 567 (high-temperature) or 577 (general high-pressure) anaerobic
• Plumbing — water service — PTFE tape (the everyday standard) or PTFE paste
• Plumbing — gas service — gas-approved pipe joint compound or PTFE tape (where gas-approved)
• Stainless steel pipework — anaerobic sealant with stainless-compatible chemistry
• Connections requiring later adjustment — PTFE tape or non-curing paste; not anaerobic (which locks the connection)
• Potable water — only use sealants approved for potable water; check the SDS or product specification

Where thread sealants earn their place

• Hydraulic system fittings — sealing tapered and parallel pipe threads in hydraulic equipment
• Pneumatic system fittings — workshop air, instrument air, and process pneumatic connections
• Plumbing — water and gas — domestic and commercial pipework
• Process pipework — chemical, food, and industrial process connections
• Refrigeration and HVAC — refrigerant and chilled-water pipework
• Marine and outdoor applications — exposed pipework requiring long-term sealing

Anaerobic versus PTFE — practical differences

• Anaerobic sealants — provide stronger seal under high pressure, lock the joint against vibration loosening, fully cure for permanent leak-tightness, but require heat or breakaway torque for disassembly
• PTFE tape and paste — easier to apply, simpler to remove and reseal, suitable for joints that may need periodic adjustment, but lower pressure rating and less vibration resistance

Application practice

For PTFE tape: wrap the male thread two to four turns in the direction of tightening. 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 when contaminated with PTFE tape
• Don't use thread sealants on flare or O-ring fittings — those seal on the metal-to-metal flare or the elastomer, not on the threads
• Don't substitute non-rated sealants for hydraulic pressure work — pressure-rated anaerobic sealants are specifically formulated for the application

Brands stocked at AIMS

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

Companion ranges at AIMS

Thread sealants sit alongside our broader sealing range — see pipe sealants, threadlockers, industrial sealants, and threaded fittings for the related products.

Need help matching thread sealants to specific service or pressure requirements? contact our team — we'll match chemistry to application.