OATEY 31230 4 oz. Great White® Pipe Joint Compound with PTFE

Great White works on both plastic and metal threads, so the same jar covers galvanized, black iron, brass and threaded PVC or CPVC fittings. That is the practical reason it gets stocked on a service truck instead of two separate products: one paste for the whole threaded-joint list.

On gases it holds to 3,000 psi over a range of -50F to 400F. On liquids it goes to 10,000 psi from -50F to 500F. Those numbers put it well past domestic water and normal gas service pressures, which is why it shows up on steam and process lines as well as building plumbing.

It is rated for water, steam, caustics and diluted acid lines. For an MRO or facilities buyer that means one compound for the boiler room and the restrooms rather than segregating pastes by service. The 500F liquid ceiling is what carries it onto steam work.

It is a non-hardening, non-separating paste, so the joint stays serviceable. You can back a fitting off and remake it without chipping out cured sealant, which matters on unions, gauges, and anything you expect to pull for maintenance.

Great White is a paste with PTFE in it, so it both lubricates the threads as you make them up and fills the spiral leak path. Tape does the fill but gives you less lubrication, and on larger or galled metal threads that lubrication is what lets you get the fitting fully home. Plenty of plumbers use both, tape first then paste over it. On plastic threads the paste alone avoids over-wrapping, which is what cracks female PVC fittings.

The paste is described as white, non-toxic and rated for water service, and it is the kind of compound used on threaded potable water joints in residential and commercial buildings. It is non-hardening, so a joint made today can be broken later without damaging the fitting.

The 31230 is the 4 oz size, listed at 0.4 lb product weight. That is the small service-call size, enough for a handful of joints in a jar that fits a tool pouch. Oatey sells Great White in larger containers when you are piping out a whole building.