Hex Nipple
What is a Hex Nipple?
A Hex Nipple is a short, threaded pipe fitting machined from solid bar stock, featuring male threads on both ends and a central hexagonal section for easy wrench tightening. It connects two female-threaded fittings or components in a straight-line configuration, commonly used in instrumentation panels, fluid handling, gas lines, and hydraulic systems.
Due to its hex body, it ensures easy installation, precise alignment, and secure mechanical strength in both high-pressure and corrosive environments.
Key Features
Leak-Proof
Jointing
Durable
Construction
Easy Installation
& Removal
Wide
Compatibility
Corrosion
Resistant
Specifications
| Specification Category | Parameter / Feature | Details / Options |
|---|---|---|
| Size Range | Nominal Size | ½” to 4″ (custom sizes available) |
| Pressure Ratings | ANSI / ASME Class | Class 150, 300, 600, 900, 1500, 2500 |
| PN Ratings | PN6, PN10, PN16, PN25, PN40, PN64 | |
| Product Types | Bar Stock Threaded Fitting | Hex Nipple, Double Ended Nipple |
| Material Options | Carbon Steel | ASTM A105, ASTM A350 LF2 |
| Stainless Steel | ASTM A182 F304, F316, F321 | |
| Alloy Steel | ASTM A182 F5, F9, F11, F22 | |
| Other Alloys | Monel, Inconel, Titanium | |
| Standards & Certifications | ASTM | ASTM A182, ASTM A105 |
| ASME / ANSI | ASME B1.20.1, ASME B16.11 | |
| MSS | MSS SP-79, MSS SP-83 | |
| European Standards | EN 10241, EN 10226 | |
| Certifications | ISO 9001, PED 2014/68/EU, NACE MR0175, CE Marked | |
| Design Features | Thread Type | NPT, BSPT, BSPP |
| Wall Thickness | As per ASTM / ASME standards, schedule 40, 80 | |
| End Connections | Male Threaded | |
| Pressure Class | 2000#, 3000#, 6000#, 9000# | |
| Tolerance | Thread Tolerance | As per ASME B1.20.1 / ISO 7-1 |
| Coating & Surface Finish | Anti-Corrosion Coating | Zinc Plated, Passivation, Nickel Plating |
| Surface Finish | Mill Finish, Polished, Pickled, Bead Blasted | |
| Testing & Inspection | Pressure Testing | Hydrostatic, Pneumatic |
| Non-Destructive Testing | Dye Penetrant (DPT), Magnetic Particle (MPI) | |
| Destructive Testing | Tensile, Hardness, Torque Test |
Dimensions
| Fitting Type | Nominal Size (NPS) | Outside Diameter (OD) | Length (L) | Hex Size (Across Flats) | Thread Type | Weight per Piece |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hex Nipple | ½” | 21.3 mm | 50 mm | 27 mm | NPT / BSPT | 120g |
| Hex Nipple | ¾” | 26.7 mm | 60 mm | 32 mm | NPT / BSPT | 180g |
| Hex Nipple | 1″ | 33.4 mm | 70 mm | 41 mm | NPT / BSPT | 250g |
| Hex Nipple | 1½” | 48.3 mm | 90 mm | 50 mm | NPT / BSPT | 400g |
| Hex Nipple | 2″ | 60.3 mm | 100 mm | 65 mm | NPT / BSPT | 600g |
| Hex Nipple | 2½” | 73.0 mm | 120 mm | 75 mm | NPT / BSPT | 850g |
| Hex Nipple | 3″ | 88.9 mm | 140 mm | 90 mm | NPT / BSPT | 1.2kg |
| Hex Nipple | 4″ | 114.3 mm | 160 mm | 115 mm | NPT / BSPT | 1.8kg |
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Value | Unit / Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 485 – 750 | MPa (Carbon Steel, Stainless Steel, Alloy Steel) |
| Yield Strength | 170 – 450 | MPa |
| Hardness | 120 – 200 | HB (Brinell) |
| Elongation | ≥ 20 – 30 | % |
| Density | 7.8 – 8.0 | g/cm³ (Carbon Steel), 7.9 – 8.0 g/cm³ (Stainless Steel) |
| Impact Toughness | ≥ 27 – 70 | J (Charpy, grade-dependent) |
| Modulus of Elasticity (E) | ~200 | GPa |
| Fatigue Strength | 250 – 450 | MPa |
| Corrosion Resistance | Good to Excellent (SS > CS > Alloy Steel) | – |
| Thermal Conductivity | 15 – 50 | W/m·K |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion | 11 – 17 ×10⁻⁶ | /°C |
| Yield Ratio (YS/UTS) | 0.40 – 0.65 | – |
| Poisson’s Ratio | 0.27 – 0.30 | – |
| Brinell Hardness Range | 120 – 200 | HB |
| Surface Finish | Mill Finish, Pickled, Polished, Bead Blasted | – |
| Thread Type | NPT / BSPT | – |
| End Connections | Male Threaded | – |
| Operating Temperature Range | -46 to 600 | °C (material-dependent) |
| Pressure Rating | Class 150, 300, 600, 900, 1500, 2500 | ASME B1.20.1 / ASME B16.11 |
Chemical Composition
| Element | SS 304 | SS 304L | SS 316 | SS 316L |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chromium (Cr) | 18.0 – 20.0 | 18.0 – 20.0 | 16.0 – 18.0 | 16.0 – 18.0 |
| Nickel (Ni) | 8.0 – 10.5 | 8.0 – 12.0 | 10.0 – 14.0 | 10.0 – 14.0 |
| Carbon (C) | ≤ 0.08 | ≤ 0.03 | ≤ 0.08 | ≤ 0.03 |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤ 2.00 | ≤ 2.00 | ≤ 2.00 | ≤ 2.00 |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤ 1.00 | ≤ 1.00 | ≤ 1.00 | ≤ 1.00 |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤ 0.045 | ≤ 0.045 | ≤ 0.045 | ≤ 0.045 |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤ 0.030 | ≤ 0.030 | ≤ 0.030 | ≤ 0.030 |
| Iron (Fe) | Balance | Balance | Balance | Balance |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | — | — | 2.0 – 3.0 | 2.0 – 3.0 |
Applications of Hex Nipples
Construction &
Infrastructure
Automotive & Heavy
Equipment
Manufacturing &
Fabrication
Medical & Laboratory
Equipment
Electrical &
Electronics Assembly
Oil, Gas & Petrochemical
Installations
Do you have questions?
What is a hex nipple used for?
Are hex nipples available in BSP and NPT threads?
Can you customize thread length or diameter?
Are hex nipples pressure rated?
