Technical Resources
Pipe Nipple End Finishes
Most common and popular end finishes for pipe nipples — from standard NPT threading to specialty machined ends.
Cost indicator: = relative cost = highest
Threaded End (NPT)
Relative cost: 1 of 4National Pipe Taper thread — the industry standard for pressure-tight joints. Available in all schedules and materials. The default finish on most stock nipples. **Also available as BSPT.
Plain End (Roller Cut)
Relative cost: 1 of 4Pipe end is roller-cut square with no threading or additional machining. Used for welded connections or where the end will be field-machined. Standard on butt-weld nipples. **Pipe wall flares both inward and outward at cut location.
Threaded End (NPSL / NPSM)
Relative cost: 2 of 4National Pipe Straight Loose/Locknut (NPSL) and National Pipe Straight Mechanical (NPSM) threads — straight rather than tapered. Used in applications requiring easy assembly and disassembly without sealant. **Also available as BSPP.
Ream & Chamfer
Relative cost: 2 of 4The pipe bore is reamed to remove burrs and the end is chamfered to an angle. Improves flow characteristics over Roller Cut and reduces turbulence at the pipe end. Common in instrumentation and precision piping.
Roll Groove
Relative cost: 2 of 4A circumferential groove is roll-formed near the pipe end to accept mechanical coupling systems such as Victaulic. Common in fire protection, HVAC, and industrial piping where quick assembly is required. Grooving available for both Schedule 40 and Schedule 10.
Square Cut
Relative cost: 3 of 4Pipe end is precision-cut perfectly square to a tight tolerance. Required for flanged connections, mechanical couplings, and applications where end squareness is critical to joint integrity.
Cut Groove
Relative cost: 3 of 4A circumferential groove is machined (cut) into the pipe wall near the end. Provides a more precise groove profile than roll grooving and is used on heavier-wall pipe where roll grooving is not practical.
Strict Bevel
Relative cost: 4 of 4End is precision-machined to a strict bevel angle per ASME B16.25 for butt-weld connections. Required for high-pressure and code-critical weld-end fittings and pipe in pressure piping systems.
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Our fabrication team can produce virtually any end treatment to your specification. Contact us for a quote.
