Yes, pipe dope does get hard. Pipe dope is designed to be a thick paste that becomes solid when used to seal threaded joints in plumbing systems.
Some of the benefits of using pipe dope are:
- It prevents leaks by filling any gaps between two pieces of metal or plastic pipe threads
- It forms an airtight seal and helps eliminate vibration in pipes carrying liquids like water or gas
- It also acts as a lubricant making it easier to thread the pipes together
- Pipe dope can withstand extreme temperatures, chemicals and wear over time.
In summary, yes - pipe dope gets hard once applied correctly and provides many benefits for plumbing applications.