Pipe Nipple – ASME B16.11 NPS 1/8-4 NPT Threaded

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Pipe Nipple

Product Description

Short length of pipe threaded at both ends (or one end), used to connect fittings, valves, and equipment. Available in various lengths and end configurations.

Available in standard sizes with custom options per drawing. Each item is 100% inspected and supplied with material certificates.

Applications

Pipe nipples are short lengths of pipe threaded at one or both ends, used to bridge the gap between valves, fittings, equipment ports, and instrumentation. They are ubiquitous in hydraulic and pneumatic control systems, lubrication oil lines, gas distributor networks, and process skids where exact lengths are needed. Manufactured from A106 carbon steel, A312 stainless, or A335 alloy pipe per ASTM A733 threading standards.

Common configurations include close (short), single and double-host (long), hex, and barrel nipples. Typical applications include pressure gauge extensions, thermometer thermowells, drain and vent connections, sample line runs, and compressor seal oil piping. Carbon steel A106 handles -29°C to 425°C; stainless TP304/316 extends to 600°C and corrosive service.

Thread options include NPT, BSPT, and BSPP. Alloy A335 P11/P22 nipples serve high-temperature power boiler and refinery heater drain service. They are supplied in schedules 40, 80, and 160 to match system pressure ratings, with custom lengths available per customer drawing.

Quality Assurance & Certification

Each nipple is cut from certified pipe and threaded to ASME B16.11 / ASTM A733 specifications, with NPT or BSPT threads verified using ring and plug gauges. We supply EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificates covering the base pipe material (heat chemistry, tensile, impact) and thread inspection records. Heat number transfer stamping ensures material traceability.

NDT options include hydrostatic testing on sample nipples per ASTM A53/A106 requirements, and visual thread inspection. For high-pressure service, wall thickness is verified by ultrasonic measurement. Third-party inspection by SGS, BV, or TUV can witness thread gauging and material verification.

Threads are protected with plastic caps or tape to prevent damage. Carbon steel nipples are oiled against rust; stainless units are bundled with separator paper. They are packed in cartons or wooden crates, labeled by size, schedule, thread type, length, material grade, and heat number.

ASME Standard Data

ASME B16.11 covers forged threaded and socket-welding fittings only. Pipe nipples are not within the scope of this standard.

1. Standard coverage note — Pipe Nipple

ASME B16.11 does not cover pipe nipples; nipple dimensions reference MSS SP-95 / ASME B36.10M.

Source: ASME B16.11 coverage review — no "nipple" entry exists anywhere in B16.11. Pipe nipple length, thread finish and wall thickness are governed by MSS SP-95 and ASME B36.10M, not transcribed in this corpus pending verification.

2. Fitting Class ↔ Pipe Schedule / Wall Correlation (ASME B16.11, Table 8) — reference only

Source: ASME B16.11-2016, Table 8 (Correlation of Fittings Class With Schedule Number or Wall Designation of Pipe for Calculation of Ratings). NOTE (1): This Table is not intended to restrict the use of pipe of thinner or thicker wall with fittings; pipe actually used may be thinner or thicker in nominal wall than that shown in Table 8. Table 8 is provided for fitting rating calculation only; pipe nipple dimensions are NOT covered here.

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