Pipe fittings with tapered threads

"As a general rule, pipe fittings with tapered threads should not be assembled to a specific torque because the torque required for a reliable joint varies with thread quality, port and fitting materials, sealant used, and other factors" 
*Parker Hannifin Catalog 4300 Port End Assembly, page T7

Leakage path through NPT threads shown at red points. No matter how tight you make NPT threads, a leakage path still exists. It is the function of the sealant to block the path between the male and female thread.

There is no standardized method of tightening an NPT fitting (tapered pipe fitting). Your best bet is to follow the standards for your industry. What follows is a rather lengthy discussion of problems you might encounter using all of the commonly used methods. This will help keep you out of trouble when your "industry standard method" fails.


TORQUE:
In the aircraft maintenance industry the FAA often desires a torque value. This works fine until you use a fitting that is out of spec and bottoms out in the boss before reaching torque; Or the fitting that still leaks even though you have applied the proper torque; Or you reach the specified torque and the fitting is pointing in the wrong direction. Torque is not always practical with NPT or ANPT fittings because of the wide differences in friction (material, pipe dope, Teflon tape). Torque will sometimes get you in trouble; understand its weakness and use other quality assurance methods along with torque.

FEEL:
Most screwed piping is tightened until it feels "right" and the fitting is pointing in the desired direction. What the experienced mechanic is often "feeling" is how the fitting is getting tight. Screw it into until it starts to seat. Then up the force a little by yanking. If each yank gives less movement, you probably have a sound joint. If the movement stops suddenly, you have probably bottomed out. The experienced plumber knows when to stop before he damages the fitting or boss. Caution is advised, tapered pipe fittings into an aluminum boss as excessive torque can crack the boss. This is especially true when using Teflon tape because the low friction of Teflon makes it easy to over-tighten.

NUMBER OF ROTATIONS:
Included in the standards for NPT and ANPT are engagement length, both straight and wrenched. For example, a 1/4 inch tapered pipe fitting should screw in 4.1 threads until finger tight (hand tight engagement), and 3 threads for wrench makeup. One problem is the wide variance in quality of the fittings and threads. Few 1/4 inch fittings screw in 4.1 threads before they reach finger tight. As a general guideline, after hand-tight engagement, tighten 2-3 full turns for sizes up to 1 inches for NPT fittings. You should have between 3.5 and 6 engaged threads. Any number outside of this range may indicate either under or over tightening of the joint or out of tolerance threads.

ASSEMBLY PROBLEMS:
Perhaps the most common fault a beginner makes is cross-threading the members and not realizing it. The male thread fitting needs to be aligned with the axis of the tapped hole. Rotation force should gradually increase with tightening.