TPi March 2015

products & developments

Protecting carbon steel press-fittings systems from corrosion

using air or inert gas, being careful to slightly dampen the O-rings before assembly. Carbon steel systems must maintain the closed circuit condition without any air inside. During the refilling and maintenance phases, a small amount of air could penetrate the circuit. In this case, it must be discharged through the venting valves. Special additives may also be used to neutralise oxygen, inhibiting corrosion. If the system must be emptied and shut down for a certain period of time, Eurotubi recommends passing dried air through the pipes in order to dry them completely.

capped until just before installation. When the products cannot be stored in areas with controlled temperatures and humidity, the fittings and pipes must be inspected periodically. Accidental impact of the pipes and fittings should be avoided, paying particular attention to sharp surfaces, especially if made of other ferrous metal materials. Carbon steel pipes for heating systems must be protected from external corrosive agents, such as humidity, using insulation. Precautions are taken with buried pipes where external corrosion becomes particularly aggressive. Effective insulation methods include coating with closed cell sheaths; painting; and coating with protective tape (leaving no parts uncovered). Felt banding should not be used, as it retains moisture for a long time, promoting corrosion. The final testing phase for a carbon steel system is fundamentally important. Air and stagnant water must not be allowed to remain in the system for too long before it is completely refilled. If the system is not to be used immediately, it is best to perform the testing procedure

Carbon steel press-fitting systems are more susceptible to corrosion than stainless steel. From storing to commissioning, it is best practice to protect carbon steel pipes. One of the characteristics of press- fitting systems is the use of pipes with reduced thickness. Compared to piping of the same material but thicker, this offers advantages such as greater manageability, lower system weight, greater capacity compared to pipes with the same external diameter, lower transport costs, and less environmental impact in both the production and moving phases. However, the reduced thickness makes carbon steel pipes more susceptible to corrosion. As Eurotubi fittings and pipes are treated with galvanising processes to protect them from corrosion, installation and testing must be performed according to the Eurotubi Pressfitting Technical Manual. Transport andstoragemustbeperformed properly to prevent water infiltration, the formation of condensation and the presence of dirt. Pipes must remain

Eurotubi Europa Srl – Italy info@eurotubieuropa.it www.eurotubieuropa.it

Stainless steel experience Tecnica Tre, founded in 1996, is a stockist of stainless steel flanges, fittings and pipes. The company’s warehouse holds 3,000m 2 of stock, semi-automatically managed with WMS and barcodes, with room for 5,000 pallets, and with automatic management of batch numbers and packing lists. commented, “The success of our business is due to two factors: good price/quality ratio and excellent service. The ample supply and assortment in our warehouse enable us to promptly satisfy requests in a market that is evolving rapidly. We are always searching for new items to add to our stock in order to meet the demands of our valued customers.”

The dimensional control process and chemical analyses on materials ensure quality. The range of products includes EN and ASME flanges, EN and ASME butt welding fittings, threaded fittings, fittings and unions for the food and wine industry, and ASME welded and seamless pipes. The company supplies a range of different sectors, and deals with companies of all sizes. Managing director Mr Scotton

Tecnica Tre recently launched a new website that offers customers the ability to make quotations and orders, while constantly checking the stock and price levels. All purchase orders received are reviewed by sales staff prior to being released to the warehouses.

Tecnica Tre Srl – Italy info@tecnicatre.it www.tecnicatre.it

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March 2015 Tube Products International