Dresser Style 38 Bolted Coupling — Viton Fluorocarbon Gasket

Chemical & Petroleum Service | Flexible Pipeline Connection Solution

Overview

The Dresser Style 38 is a bolted mechanical coupling engineered for flexible, leakproof connections on steel pipe in water, wastewater, and industrial piping systems. No threading, beveling, or precise pipe alignment required — installs with standard wrenches only. The resilient gasket design absorbs vibration, accommodates pipe movement, and allows angular deflection, enabling curves to be laid using straight pipe lengths without bends or elbows. Compliant with AWWA C219.

This listing is pre-configured with a genuine Dresser Fluorocarbon (Viton®) gasket — Grade 012, the correct specification for piping systems carrying petroleum products, fuels, aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated solvents, organic acids, and other chemically aggressive media where standard Buna-S gaskets will degrade. For general water and wastewater service, see our standard Style 38 with Grade 27 Buna-S gaskets.

Key Advantages

• No threading, beveling, or exact alignment required — installs with standard wrenches only
• Resilient Viton gaskets absorb vibration and accommodate thermal pipe movement in aggressive chemical service
• Permits angular deflection — curves can be laid with straight pipe, reducing fittings cost
• Available 1" through 24" nominal — one product line for virtually any chemical piping application
• Fusion-bonded epoxy coating standard — superior corrosion protection in buried and submerged service
• Available in all-stainless steel (Type 304 or 316) for highly corrosive service conditions
• AWWA C219 compliant

Viton® Fluorocarbon Gasket — Grade 012

Viton® (fluorocarbon rubber) is the industry standard gasket compound for piping systems carrying hydrocarbons, fuels, and industrial chemicals that rapidly degrade standard Buna rubber. Each coupling includes a matched pair of genuine Dresser Grade 012 Viton gaskets rated to 350°F (177°C) continuous service temperature.

Recommended for line contents including: gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, kerosene, fuel oil, mineral spirits, benzene, toluene, xylene, aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated solvents (dry), organic acids, corn oil, soybean oil, cottonseed oil, mineral oil, linseed oil, lubricating & refined oil, perchloroethylene, petroleum ether naptha, styrene, and stearic acid.

Not recommended for: steam, hot water, strong oxidizing acids, or caustic/alkaline solutions — use Buna-S (Grade 27) or EPDM for those applications.

Materials of Construction

• Followers (1" – 1-1/2"): Ductile Iron or Malleable Iron
• Followers (2" and larger): AISI C1012 or ASME SA36 Steel — single-piece thru 12"; 2-piece bar follower for larger sizes
• Middle Ring: ASTM A513, ASTM A635, or ASME SA675 Grade 60 Steel
• Bolts: AWWA C111 / ANSI A21.11 — E-coated steel standard; Type 316 SS optional
• Gasket: Fluorocarbon (Viton®) — Grade 012 | Max 350°F | Petroleum & Chemical Resistant
• Coating: Fusion-bonded epoxy standard

Stainless Steel Option

Available in all-stainless steel for highly corrosive service. Middle rings: Type 316 SS (ASTM A240, No. 1 mill finish) with optional A380 Pickle and Passivation finish. Followers: Type 316 SS only. Bolts and nuts: Type 316 with Xylan-coated nuts. Meets AWWA C219.

Sizes and Specifications — Steel Pipe (1" – 24")

Dimension L taken with fasteners finger tight. Working pressures per Barlow's formula at 1/2 minimum yield. Contact us for sizes beyond 24" up to 400"+ OD.

Angular Deflection Per Coupling

Pipe end must remain past end of gasket by minimum 1 inch after deflection.

Applicable Standards

• AWWA C219 — Bolted Sleeve-Type Couplings for Plain-End Pipe
• ASTM A513, A635 — Middle ring steel specifications
• AWWA C111 / ANSI A21.11 — Bolt specifications

Installation — Step by Step

No special tools required beyond a torque wrench and basic hand tools.

1. Pipe End Preparation: Clean all dirt, rust, oil, and loose scale from pipe end. Inspect gasket seating surface — any gouges or grooves must be corrected before assembly.
2. Mark Center Points: Measure back on each pipe end: 1/2 the middle ring length plus 2 inches. Chalk mark both ends to center the coupling over the joint.
3. Position Followers: Slide the follower(s) over the pipe end(s) before assembling any other components.
4. Lubricate: Wipe gaskets clean. Lubricate each gasket, pipe OD, and middle ring flares with soapy water or non-petroleum lubricant. Do not use petroleum-based lubricants on Viton gaskets. Use antifreeze in freezing weather.
5. Assemble Middle Ring: Slide lubricated gaskets over each pipe end, then assemble the middle ring onto one pipe end.
6. Join Pipe Ends: Stab second pipe end into middle ring. Center between chalk marks. Pipe end must extend past end of gasket by minimum 1 inch after any angular deflection.
7. Install Fasteners: Install all bolts and hex nuts. Draw up finger tight before torquing.
8. Torque Sequence: Tighten nuts on opposite sides in a cross-pattern, drawing followers up evenly. Do not fully torque one side before the other.

Torque Specifications

Important: For single-gasket products, reduce all torque values by one-half. Stainless steel bolts must be lubricated before installation to prevent thread galling.

Questions?
Call 281.664.8000 or email sales@watermainsupply.com