Are you confused about which color of Teflon tape to use for plumbing projects involving water? Blue or white?
Teflon tape, a type of PTFE, is one of the top sealants used for plumbing projects. Knowing which color tape will provide the best seal for your particular needs with many options available is important.
In this article, I will discuss the differences between blue and white Teflon tape and which is best for water-related projects. I will also give you the main difference between the main Teflon tape.
Keep reading for more details to understand better which Teflon tape color to use for your next water-related plumbing project and what purpose other colors are.
What Color Teflon Tape for Water?
When shopping for Teflon tape, you might get confused by the different colors of Teflon tape. The thing is that different colors of Teflon have different purposes.
White is the standard tape for most plumbing projects, while pink is for high-pressure water lines.
Properties of Teflon Tapes
Despite the color difference, all Teflon tapes have almost identical properties.
- Teflon tapes are naturally hydrophobic, meaning they are water-repellent, making them ideal for water plumbing.
- PTFE tape is chemical resistant and ideal for solvents and gas areas.
- It is resistant to corrosion: Teflon tapes are inert. As a result, it cannot react with Oxygen to form lust. This makes it ideal for water supply lines.
- High-temperature resistance: Plumbing tapes can withstand temperatures of between -260-260°C. You can, therefore, use it in the hot water supply line.
- Low Friction: The additional chemical used in Teflon tapes makes them have low friction. You will, therefore, have more minor issues when tightening seals.
- It is slippery: Teflon tape is very slippery. This makes it easy to use as a sealant in pipes. You can use Teflon tape in copper and steel pipes. It lubricates the joints. You cannot, however, use Teflon tape in plastic tubes.
- Teflon tape is nonstick: Teflon tape does not stick on pipes during removal. Therefore, you can replace the tape without needing to scrap the glue.
- Plumbing tape is bendy and pliable: You can wrap it around joint threads without a struggle.
The unique properties of each Teflon tape make it ideal for different purposes. Initially, most Teflon tapes were made of white color. However, after evolving different plumbing needs, manufacturers came up with different colors.
What Do the Colors on Teflon Tape Mean?
There are six different colors of Teflon tapes. Each tape has unique properties, making it ideal for its specific purpose.
In detail, we will provide you with the information required to choose the suitable Teflon tape for your project.
White Colored PTFE
White PTFE is used in the piping industry as the initially available tape. In addition, it is used in low-pressure residential hoses and taps.
Silver Colored PTFE
Silver-colored PTFE tape has some grains of nickel. This makes it suitable to be used as a sealant for lubricant. In addition, it can be used in brass, stainless steel, and aluminium pipes.
Copper-colored PTFE Tape
Copper-colored tapes are used as a lubricant. This lubricant is ideal for mechanical applications and not for biological applications.
This tape is often used as an anti-seize agent in applications where metal parts must be disassembled and reassembled easily. As mentioned above, the copper particles embedded in the tape provide lubrication and prevent the metal parts from sticking or seizing together due to heat, pressure, or corrosion. The copper particles in the tape enhance its corrosion resistance properties.
Also, it is designed to withstand higher temperatures than standard white Teflon tape. It can typically handle temperatures up to 260°C (500°F) or higher.
Yellow-colored PTFE Tape
Yellow Teflon tapes have triple the density of standard tape, making them ideal for critical natural gas-like propane connections and oxygen fitting applications.
The tape is created to be gas-compatible and resist compounds in gas systems, such as methane, propane, etc. It helps prevent leaks and provides a reliable seal to keep the gas system durable.
You can use the Teflon tapes color chart to find the right type of Teflon tape for your project.
Teflon Tape Color Chart
Since each Teflon tape has unique properties, it would be better to learn which color suits each project.
Due to its high density, yellow tape should always be used for gas fittings. While on the other hand, pink plumber tape is ideal for water fittings. Some of the additional important information about plumbing tapes is discussed below.
What is Blue Teflon Tape For?
Blue Teflon tape is made to be used as a sealant for plumbing projects involving stainless steel, copper, PVC, and others. Blue tape is compatible with several gases and liquids.
What is the Yellow Teflon Tape For?
Yellow Teflon tape is an ideal sealant for fittings that deal with gases like Butane, natural gas, and Oxygen. Of course, it would be best not to attempt electric projects.
What is red Teflon tape for?
Due to its high density, red Teflon tape can be a sealant in wide pipes like water distribution pipes.
What is Pink Teflon Tape Used For?
Most plumbers that deal with water lines use pink Teflon as the plumbing tape. Pink Teflon tape is inert and can withstand high temperatures and pressure. It can, therefore, be used in hot water feeding lines.
Can You Use Blue Teflon Tape on Water Lines?
If all the other requirements are fulfilled, you can use blue plumbing tape on water lines.
Blue plumbing tape has a high density that ensures a leak-proof connection. A few wraps of this tape how’s a little further.
Difference Between the Red and Blue Teflon Tape
Although both red and blue Teflon tapes can be used for water fittings, the two are very different regarding chemical composition and properties.
Red Teflon Tape
Red Teflon tape has some fantastic properties that make it suitable for use.
Physical appearance: For starters, the red tape is not red in its self looks pink. However, its container is red.
Density: 1.5 g/cm3
Pressure ratings: Seal fitting that carries water with a maximum pressure of 4371 Psi.
Knowing the pressure rating of a sealant is essential in determining the amount of tape you will use.
Strength: 10-17 N/mm2
Temperature range: Red tape can accommodate temperatures of +260 °C to 260 °C.
Uses: Can be used in wide water distribution pipes up to 2 inches in diameter.
If used correctly, red plumbing tape can protect a leak for over two years. However, you should check your seal regularly.
Blue Teflon tape
Blue Teflon tape comes in monster and mini-monster forms.
Physical appearance: Blue
Density: 0.8 g/cm3
Pressure Ratings: Blue tape can accommodate a pipe carrying water at a maximum pressure of 10,000 Psi.
Strength: 15 N/mm2
Temperature ratings: -260 °C to 260 °C.
Application: Due to its dense nature, blue Teflon tape can be used as a sealant in pipes carrying;
- Concentrated and dilute acids. If using blue tape for acids, you should check the precautions.
- Alcohol
- Ammonia
- Fatty acids
- Water
- Jet fuel
- Hydraulic fluids
- Compressed air
- Glycerine
- Mineral oils
- Cutting oils
- Ketones
- Liquid soaps
- Nitrogen
- And chlorinated solvents.
Blue Teflon tape’s tensile strength and density are five times that of standard tape, making it suitable for the above uses. You should, however, not use Blue Tape on gas fittings.
The table shows a few differences between Red and blue Teflon tapes.
| Properties | Red Teflon tape | Blue Teflon tape |
| Color | Pink | Blue |
| Density | 1.5 g/cm3 | 0.8 g/cm3 |
| Composition | 99% PTFE | 99.6% PTFE |
| Tensile strength | 10-17 N/mm3 | 15 N/mm3 |
| Pressure rating | 4371 Psi | 10,000 Psi |
| Temperature range | -260 °C to 260 °C | -260 °C to 260 °C |
| Applications | Wide water distribution pipes | Variety of uses |
The specification of the pipes is to help you know the tape options you have for your plumbing projects. Some of the projects are complicated and should always be done with the help of experts.
Neither PTFE tapes can be used as sealants in gas fittings. This is because they also start decomposing when subjected to temperatures above 300°C.
Conclusion
Knowing the suitable sealant tape for your plumbing projects will quickly help you plan your DIY. In addition, the guide above will help you choose the right video for every project.
White Teflon tape has been the standard used for years as a sealant for water pipes. However, more tapes were created after more demand for different types arose. The colors make it easy to know what to use and when.
Yellow Teflon tape is designed specifically for gas fittings.
Red Teflon tape is ideal for wide water pipes of diameter between 3/2 inches and 2 inches.
Blue Teflon tape has a strength 5times that of white Teflon tape.
All the other tapes are discussed above in this guide.
James is an organic fertilizer professional who owns a successful organic fertilizer company in new jersey. He is an expert in waste management in both houses and community cases. In his free time, he loves to write about his experiences in the field.
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