Note: Search is limited to the most recent 250 articles. To access earlier articles, click Advanced Search and set an earlier date range. To search for a term containing the '&' symbol, click Advanced Search and use the 'search headings' and/or 'in first paragraph' options.

Please enter the email address that you used to subscribe on Engineering News. Your password will be sent to this address.

separate emails by commas, maximum limit of 4 addresses

New labelling system introduced for HDPE PE100 stub ends in SA

To play this media please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 media

Embed VideoPopup VideoInstagram

DownloadBuy Photos     Watch on YouTube

20th October 2017 By: Victor Moolman Creamer Media Writer

ARTICLE ENQUIRY      SAVE THIS ARTICLE      EMAIL THIS ARTICLE

Thermoplastic piping company Plasti-Tech is supplying high-density polyethylene (HDPE PE100) stub ends, which have been labelled using a Lynx laser printer using invisible laser-radiation.

“The significance of labelling the stub ends using the Lynx laser machine is that the manufacture, size and pressure rating markings cannot be removed without damaging the butt ends. This leads to the manufacturer of the butt ends being accountable for the quality they produce,” says Plasti-Tech managing member Brad Chamont.

He highlights that the labelling system is important, owing to failures that can happen when installing poor quality HDPE fittings. Currently, when a stub ends fails, owing to manufacturer faults, it is difficult to trace the manufacturer as there are no permanent markings.

“The labelling of the stub ends we are providing conforms to the standards that the Installation and Fabrication Plastics Pipe Association is busy passing into regulations. We are confident that the standard will be passed in the coming months,” he states.

He points out that, internationally, there are standards set out by the European Standards Association that require that the manufacturer’s name and fitting information be applied to HDPE fittings, as well as barcodes for traceability.

These standards and traceability systems are in place to hold manufacturers accountable for product quality and prevent them from supplying stub ends and other HDPE components that are of poor quality and could fail when under extreme pressures.

Moreover, Chamont mentions that these are the first HDPE butt ends in South Africa that are being labelled in this way. The method currently being used across local industry is a white marker that can be rubbed off with regular handling of the butt ends.

He points out that, while Plasti-Tech is not the manufacturer of the butt ends, the company actively searched for, and has found, a local manufacturer that is willing to manufacture and label stub ends that are available in sizes of between 50 mm and 355 mm in diameter with various pressure classes, and then apply the labels.

Chamont explains that these stub ends are used on HDPE pipelines when pipe to pipe welds are not accepted by the project engineers. By welding the stub ends onto two pipes and using steel or aluminium backing, ring pipes can be connected using mechanical means.

“Once pipes are welded, you can’t remove sections or repair them. With a stub and flange system to join pipe lengths, the stub ends are bolted together, so it is a mechanical connection of an HDPE pipe,” he points out.

Chamont concludes that Plasti-Tech is aiming to increase the maximum size of the stub ends that are available to 1 000 mm, from their current 355 mm, to accommodate larger piping systems.

Edited by: Zandile Mavuso Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor: Features EMAIL THIS ARTICLE      SAVE THIS ARTICLE ARTICLE ENQUIRY

To subscribe email subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za or click here To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here

Engineering News is a product of Creamer Media. www.creamermedia.co.za

Other Creamer Media Products include: Mining Weekly
Research Channel Africa Polity

Sign up for our FREE daily email newsletter Receive daily sector news alerts

We offer a variety of subscriptions to our Magazine, Website, PDF Reports and our photo library.

Subscriptions are available via the Creamer Media Store.

Advertising on Engineering News is an effective way to build and consolidate a company's profile among clients and prospective clients. Email advertising@creamermedia.co.za