Multilayer  Pipe Market

The process is usually based on a silane cross-linking method invented by Dow Corning. PE-Xb pipes can be manufactured either in a two-step process (material compound and pipe manufactured separately) or in a single-step. It would be more precise to call the two-step a three-step process because the extruded pipe needs to be put in a hot water bath for final cross-linking. + + + In the German speaking countries, Wirsbo using the Engel PE-Xa process, and not much later Rehau, were leading the way for PE-Xa solid wall pipe, especially for under-floor heating applications. Later on, Hewing, followed by Acome of France, introduced a PE-Xc electron beam cross-linked pipe and captured a significant share of the market. Since electron beam cross-linking equipment is only available in Belgium, Germany, France, Israel and Switzerland, the supply of PE-Xc pipes (also as inliner in composite pipes) is limited.
More: KWD-globalpipe, 2008-12-09, No. 302.

Multilayer pipe sales in Australia are about to receive a major boost in the Multi Storey Residential and Commercial markets. Snap Fire Systems has released a Fire Collar that closes the plastic/aluminum pipe up to the largest available size of 63mm. A 4 hour Fire Resistance Level (FRL) is now possible with a SNAP Gas Fire Collar, Composite pipe and a 4 hour concrete floor.
“The Residential & Commercial high-rise and Aged care facility market had been previously off limits to composite pipe, due to the pipe needing to pass through Fire Rated Walls or Floors. But architects, builders and contractors can now utilise the benefits of composite pipe in many more installations with the introduction of this Fire Collar.” SNAP Fire Systems managing director Brett Magnay said. (www.snapcollars.com).

Measurement of foam core pipes has so far been a special challenge. Control of the functional layers has due to the specific material properties not been possible with conventional measuring equipment. Now a digital ultrasonic system is available which provides accurate „inside information” also on foam pipes.

Raw material is foamed during processing which produces small air bubbles. They enlarge the material volume and as such the wall thickness size. This saves raw material and reduces costs in a particularly important segment. However, air bubbles cause measuring problems due to the fact that they reflect ultrasonic signals. Consequently, it has so far not been possible to measure interior layers. Foam pipes are normally co-extruded pipes and it is recommendable to control the geometry of all layers in order to minimize material consumption. INOEX has now found a solution for this technical challenge: a new AUREX digital ultrasonic measuring technique….. more: KWD-globalpipe, 2008-11-25, No. 300

Aleris Aluminum in Belgium is one of the leading suppliers of aluminium strip to the multilayer tube manufacturers in Europe. We offer the following technical advantages to our customers:

Special Multilayer tubing alloys

- a new generation of alloys especially designed for multilayer tubing
- especially fine-tuned and focussed on typical demands of our multilayer tubing customers giving them:

• higher creep resistance at elevated temperature
• much better sustained pressure test results
• better formability:
  - easier for welding,
  - higher flexibility & better bending properties of the tubes
• excellent adhesion properties due to special chemical degreasing process
• excellent corrosion properties due to special thermo-mechanical processing

- thanks to these special characteristics a lot of cost savings are possible! …more: KWD-globalpipe, 2008-11-25, No.300

In addition to the Silon main business - PE-Xb - SILON International GmbH offers further products for various applications, e.g. corrugated pipes, protection pipes, waste water pipes for inside and outside, drinking water pipes, gas pipes etc. PE-Xb specialties for shrinking tubes and profiles PE-Xb raw material for injection moulding of fittings and sockets Stabilizers for protection against UV-radiation, thermal degradation of the Polymer, flame retardant additives, processing aids, etc. Combinations of colours and stabilizers are possible. Tailor made special products are offered Adhesives for multilayer pipes with e.g. aluminium, oxygen barrier (EVOH), etc. …. More: KWD-globalpipe, 2008-11-25, No.300

Aleris International, Inc. is a global leader in aluminium rolled products and extrusions, aluminium recycling and specification alloy production. Aleris Rolled & Extruded Products - Europe, with state-of-the-art rolling and extrusion mills in Europe and an extrusion plant in Tianjin (China), is one of world’s leading manufacturers of high quality aluminium products.
We have applied our experience and know-how, which we have gained by being the principal supplier to many industries, to the development of products that fully satisfy the requirements of areas such as……more: KWD-globalpipe, 2008-11-25, No.300.

Pipelife Hungária Kft. announces the successful investment of EUR 3 million in a Maillefer/Dreistern multilayer pipe extrusion line for the manufacture of Pex-Alu-Pex and PERT-Alu-PERT pipes for plumbing and heating applications. This investment is the first of its kind, not only for the Pipelife Group but also in Hungary. (more…)

Effective September 1, Dr. Christoph Steger has become Head of the Marketing and Product Man agement departments at Cincinnati Extrusion GmbH, Vienna. The new manager, who holds a doctor’s degree in business administration, has now taken over part of the duties previously administered by Hans Berlisg, who will retire at the end of this year. Dr. Steger has also taken charge of the Quality Management De-partment, which has up to now been the responsibility of the Managing Director, Walter Häder.

Contact: www.cet-austria.com, Steger.C@cet-austria.com, welcome@cet-austria.com.

Important IPEX Product Announcement: Effective October 31, 2008, IPEX will discontinue the production and the sale of WarmRite Floor® pipe, fittings and accessories for the North American hydronic heating market. Unfortunately, the WarmRite product line no longer meets the business targets that IPEX requires. Increased competitive pressures and poor market conditions have resulted in the continuing decline of WarmRite sales and profitability. Select WarmRite components will remain in our inventory for a period of time in order for customers to complete, maintain and service their heating systems. Our current limited warranty will continue to apply to all WarmRite products installed. IPEX would like to thank you for your continued support. We look forward to servicing your future plastic piping system needs with our broad offering of core products. We will be pleased to work with you to resolve any inconvenience that this product discontinuation may cause. More: KWD-globalpipe, 2008-11-04, No.297.

In mid-September, the 14th pipe symposium of Cincinnati Extrusion Gmbh drew an absolute record number of over 600 international visitors. On two days, the latest trends and newly developed technologies in pipe extrusion were presented.
With the six extrusion lines shown in full production, Cincinnati Extrusion demonstrated its great wealth of expertise covering an extensive range of applications.
The complete production line demonstrated in cooperation with Nexans, with a total of four extruders, two Talos 60-30 G models with screws optimized for PEX and two co-extruders, was ideally suited for high-speed applications. It reached a line speed of 40 m/min producing a 16-mm pipe with a wall thickness of 2 mm from a PEX-b resin, which came from Solvay Padanaplast. The process applied in this case was TIG butt welding.
More: KWD-globalpipe, 2008-10-28, No.296.