Top FAQs About TIPS (Thermoplastic Industrial Piping Systems)
Top FAQs About TIPS (Thermoplastic Industrial Piping Systems)
TIPS
What is TIPS?
TIPS is the acronym for Thermoplastic Industrial Piping Systems. TIPS is also a Product Line Committee of the PPFA consisting of several prestigious manufacturers of pipe, valves, fittings, and compounds with hundreds of years combined experience.
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What piping materials are commonly included in TIPS?
CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride), PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) are the most commonly used TIPS applications. Almost all of the piping systems are pressure rated with CPVC and PVC in most cases having a schedule 40 or 80 wall thickness or greater. Piping materials such as pressure-rated ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) and other fluorocarbons are also used in industrial installations.
What standards are TIPS piping products made to?
Examples of standards of TIPS products include; Sch 80 CPVC pipe made to ASTM F441, CPVC chemical drain waste pipe made to ASTM F, PP pipe made to ASTM F for pressure applications, pressure PVC pipe made to ASTM D, and PVDF made to ASTM F for drainage systems for corrosive applications.
Check with the product manufacturer for final determination of applicable standards.
What are the temperature and pressure limitations for TIPS?
When selecting a TIPS material, check the manufacturer's published product information regarding the temperature and working pressure limitations, as these vary. There are multiple materials and products that can cover a wide range of operational conditions; from a maximum temperature of 275°F to a minimum of minus 40°F and a maximum working pressure of 230 psi to a minimum of full vacuum. Keep in mind that with most thermoplastic piping materials, an increase in temperature will reduce the allowable working pressure. Pressure derating tables to adjust the piping working pressure ratings at higher temperatures are available from the product manufacturer.
What joining methods are used to assemble TIPS products?
Two joining methods that can create joints as strong as, or stronger than the pipe or fitting, are solvent cementing and heat fusing. For ideal joint integrity CPVC and PVC are solvent welded and PE, PP and PVDF are heat fused. Other joining techniques such as flanging, threading, and other mechanical joining methods are also used.
Can TIPS be recycled?
All thermoplastic piping materials can be and are recyclable. In most cases there is 99% complete recycling within the manufacturing process. In many applications TIPS products have lasted for decades and are still in service, so that not much post-processed piping material is currently available for recycling. The plastics industry is, however, aggressively pursuing a program of recycling as many plastic materials as possible in the future.
What are the four advantages of using TIPS?
The four major advantages of TIPS are:
- Durability
- Safe and easy to use
- Environmentally sound
- Cost-effectiveness
What are the two most common manufacturing processes in producing TIPS?
Almost all TIPS pipe is extruded and most fittings, valves and pumps are injection molded. Both processes enable products to be made consistently to exacting industry standards. In unique and small volume items such as large diameter fittings or specialized valves the products are fabricated using machining and solvent and heat welding techniques.
How does one choose the best TIPS material for a particular application?
When selecting any piping material, one needs to have as much information on the conditions of service as possible---for example: description of the material being transported (chemical make-up, specific gravity, solids content, viscosity), maximum and minimum system pressure, internal and external temperature ranges, above or belowground, indoor or outdoor environment, codes required, joining method, and lastly, which material is most cost-effective.
How are TIPS tested after being installed?
TIPS piping systems are tested similarly to other piping materials with two major exceptions: (1) Unless a manufacturer states otherwise, never test TIPS with compressed air or other gases; and (2) When solvent cementing, make certain that joints are cured properly per manufacturer's instructions before testing. (Compressed air or other gases contain large amount of stored energy, which present serious safety hazards should a system fail for any reason.)
What types of TIPS products are available?
Plastic piping systems are unmatched when it comes to breadth of product line and having one plastic piping system material to be in contact with all fluid-wetted parts. Readily available products for most TIPS include the following: pipe, fittings, valves, pumps, tanks, tubing, filters, fans and blowers, duct, scrubbers, scrubber packing, flow monitoring equipment, and heat exchangers. In addition, special engineered products can be easily fabricated to meet a particular engineering design.
TIPS have been and are being used on what applications?
A sample of just some of the applications TIPS has successfully been installed are:
- Acid/Chemical Waste Drainage
- Air Pollution Control
- Amusement/Theme/Water Parks
- Aquariums
- Chemical Process
- Chlor-Alkali
- Compressed Air/Gases (special plastic compounds)
- Desalination
- Electronic/Semiconductor
- Environmental Protection
- Fire Water Mains (industrial)
- Fish Hatcheries/Farms
- Food/Beverage
- Geothermal Energy
- Heating/Ventilating/Air Conditioning
- Marine
- Mining
- Oil & Gas Gathering
- Original Equipment Manufacturing
- Pharmaceutical
- Power Plants
- Pulp & Paper
- Refrigeration
- Steel Processing
- Surface Finishing (plating)
- Swimming Pools (municipal & school)
- Water & Waste Treatment
FAQ for PVDF
1. What is the minimum and maximum use temperature for PVDF Industrial Pressure Piping?
Under supported conditions and using a chemical compatibility chart, PVDF can be used continuously up to 300°F and most manufacturers rate it to 275°F in chemicals that have little attack on PVDF. As it relates to cold weather, PVDF is not brittle until minus 40°F, but most recommendations are to use minus 20°F as the lower limit in case there is some type of impact that occurs on the system. Flexible PVDF copolymers generally do better at very low temperatures compared to PVDF homopolymers, but they can all handle relatively cold weather.
2. What are the most common chemicals handled by PVDF that attack less expensive materials?
It is common to use PVDF piping to handle hot Chlorine, Methyl Chloroform, Hydrochloric Acid, Salt Water, Chlorobenzene, Sodium Hypochlorite (pH < 12), Sugars, Sulfuric Acid (97.5% and less), Chlorinated Salts, Phosphoric Acid, Hydrofluoric Acid, Metallic Chlorides, Acid Mixtures, Bromine, Hydrobromic Acid, Bromobenzene, Brominated Salts, Iodine, Salicylic Acid, Methane Sulfonic Acid, Acetic Acid (<50%), Methyl Alcohol, Chromic Acid, Nitric Acid, Deionized Water, Ozone, Biodiesel, Hydrocarbon and alcohol based fuels and mixtures.
3. Can PVDF piping be steam cleaned?
Studies have been published that confirm that after over 50 steam cycles at 260°F, PVDF piping had no change in properties versus a control sample. It is common to subject PVDF piping to low pressure steam in bio-pharma applications.
4. What joining methods are readily available for PVDF piping systems?
Generally PVDF pipe is joined either mechanically or by fusion welding. PVDF systems are offered by several pipe manufacturers in socket fusion, butt fusion, beadless butt-fusion (BCF/SIB), infrared fusion, electrofusion, sanitary mechanical, flanged mechanical, threaded mechanical, forced mechanical, plastic lined steel flanged, fiberglass reinforced flanged, and threaded.
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5. What food and water regulatory listings are available for PVDF?
Certain grades of PVDF and PVDF copolymers are listed by NSF International forcompliance with NSF/ANSI 51 (hot food contact) and NSF/ANSI 61 (hot potable water). Certain grades comply with USP Class 6 testing. Certain grades comply with Sanitary 3A testing. Certain grades comply with FDA Title 21 CFR 177. and CFR 177. for repeated use with food contact. Certain grades comply with Kosher certification. There may be other listings and it is good to just contact the manufacturers of PVDF for advice.
6. What flame and smoke testing listings are available for PVDF?
ertain grades of PVDF have FM listing for Semiconductor Facilities. Certain grades of PVDF are listed to UL for plenum-rated raceway conduits. Certain grades of PVDF are listed to ASTM E84 with a 25/50 rating tested in sheet form (one listed product even has a 0/0 rating), and have achieved a 0/20, 5/40 rating tested as pipe geometry with the tunnel full in width and length as designed in the test with no addition of water or other potentially extinguishing media. Certain grades of PVDF comply with 25/50 rating for ULC S102.2. Certain grades of PVDF are used by companies that make listed wire and cable products for plenum areas in buildings. PVDF Foams with density as low as 0.03 specific gravity have passed ASTM E84 with a 25/50 rating and have achieved FM listing. There may be other listings, and it is good to just contact the manufacturer for written confirmation.
7. Can PVDF pipe be exposed to nuclear radiation?
PVDF has been used up to mega-rads of radiation exposure by government laboratories. There is much documentation about the use of PVDF in nuclear reclamation facilities.
8. What typical industries use PVDF piping to handle chemical processing?
The following industries use PVDF piping systems: Pulp & Paper, Chlor-Alkali, Metal Preparation, Petrochemical, Food & Beverage, Pharmaceutical/Biotech, Wastewater, Pesticides, Fertilizer, Semiconductor/Electronics, Institutional (Schools, Colleges and Universities), Brominated Chemicals, Marine, General Chemical Handling.
9. What is the abrasion resistance of PVDF?
Reported Tabor Abrasion Resistance shows PVDF to compare favorably with Nylon and UHMW-PE. This is over 2 times more resistant than many commodity polymers and 100 times more resistant than PTFE.
10. How resistant to sunlight is PVDF?
PVDF is very resistant to sunlight. It is commonly used in Solar Panels as a 40-year life protective film, long-life paint finishes for tall buildings and airports, and outdoor wiring and piping. Test panels showing little degradation after over 40 years of exposure in Florida are still intact.
11. What final products are readily available in PVDF to compliment piping systems?
Flexible tubing, fittings, films, coated ducting, pumps, nozzles, flowmeters, valves, tanks, membranes, fabrics, dump tower packing, filter housings, and nuts & bolts are readily available in stock for making a complete chemical handling system from PVDF.
HDPE Vs. UHMW: Unveiling the Performance Differences - UVTECO
The thermoplastic materials UHMW (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) and HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) look alike. The main difference between UHMW and HDPE is that UHMW has long polymer chains with very high molecular weights. In contrast, HDPE has a high strength-to-density ratio.
HDPE is easy to make and weld, but UHMW is easy to machine and is used in many businesses that need durable materials, have low friction, and are resistant to chemicals.
The following article will compare HDPE and UHMW to help you decide which is best for your needs.
HDPE: Everything you need to know
HDPE is polyethylene with a high density. It is made of a flexible polymer. Compared to other kinds of polyethylene, this material is very dense. HDPE is said to have a thickness of 0.95 g/cm3. Since there isn’t much splitting of polymer chains in this material, the polymer chains are all close together. This makes HDPE solid and gives it a high resistance to being hit. HDPE is safe to work with even when the temperature is around 120°C. HDPE can be put in an autoclave.
Common Characteristics of HDPE
Common Applications of HDPE
HDPE can be used for many different things. It is easy to shape into almost any shape, which makes it great for using many things that may spend a lot of time outside, such as:
Advantages of HDPE
Disadvantages of HDPE
HDPE has some unique qualities and benefits, but it also has some problems you should consider before deciding to use it.
UHMW: Everything you need to know
UHMW stands for polyethylene, which has a very high number of molecules. It is a type of malleable material to heat. This polymer product is made up of very long polymer chains with high molecular weights (around 5–9 million amu). So, UHMW has the most molecules per unit of space. This combination, on the other hand, looks the same as HDPE.
Common Characteristics of UHMW
Common Applications of UHMW
Because of their valuable qualities, UHMWs are used in many different fields. UHMW is a material that is strong, lightweight, and immune to chemicals and corrosion. Here are the following items that can only be used with UHMW:
Advantages of UHMW
UHMWPE is an excellent material for specific uses because it has several advantages:
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