Plumbing is an exact science of delivering water and removing waste efficiently from a building, but a deeper science sits behind it, and that is chemistry.
Advances in materials means that pipework can now be more sophisticated, created to offer ease of installation, durability and pipe integrity.
It means a specific chemical composition of a pipe can be perfectly matched to the job it needs to do, which is why Aliaxis UK has its own UK-based chemist to help customers.
Dave Thomas, Head of Technical Support Services at Aliaxis, looks at why such technical support is important when scoping out a project to find the right components that offer quality and longevity. Since the introduction of polyethylene (PE) in the 1950s, plastic pipes have found their place within our infrastructure and buildings creating debate around whether the material provides a better alternative to metal.
Today, materials such as PVC, CPVC, HDPE, PP, ABS, and composite materials such as HDPE, with an aluminium barrier layer, are specified according to their intended application, such as the ability to carry drinking water through areas of contaminated land, the safe transportation of chemicals, as well as pressure pipes for cold and hot water, drinking water, industrial and other wastewater applications.
Anyone working with plumbing systems will therefore know that not all pipes are created equally - different materials are better suited to certain substances, temperatures, and pressures, which means finding the best solution isn’t always easy.
It is why we created a Chemical Resistance Guide designed to help in the selection of the right piping system material for chemical applications.
It is vital that chemicals are safely transported therefore the piping material has to be compatible with the intended chemical substance to ensure the safety of both people and property.
Specifying the right materials can also ensure the integrity and lifespan of the piping system so that, for example, corrosive chemicals do not degrade plastic and rubber seals over time, causing leaks.
Selecting the right material can therefore be challenging, which is why our web-based guide helps customers determine the compatibility of its system materials with a multitude of chemical substances.
We have compared the chemical resistance of more than 20 pipe, fitting, valve seal and measurement and instrumentation materials with almost 500 chemical substances, which means engineers, specifiers and installers can make sure the right pipework solution is chosen for each individual job.
However, the guide is only part of the equation when it comes to advice and guidance, with our in-house chemist and technical support team making up the rest.
Our chemist is on hand to give project-specific advice, including consideration of any ancillary agents that could come into contact with the pipework. They can also advise on more unique applications, as well as perform a material safety data sheet review to ensure the right solution is chosen.
Equally, if a leak does occur, a member of the technical support team can visit a site to help determine why it happened, why the system failed, whether other substances were being transported through the pipes that should not be there, and if so, where they came from, and what solutions and products are needed to ensure it does not happen again. Analytical analysis of the failed samples is carried out in Aliaxis UK’s own lab, and the findings are issued in a technical report.
By developing a robust team of experts, our customers can talk to our chemist, design team, specification experts and engineers and discuss all aspects of their work. This support includes our dedicated technical support team - these process control experts can help at every stage of a project from advice on initial designs and specifications through to installation guidance and on-site support.
We pride ourselves on having people with the right depth and breadth of knowledge to help our customers find the right piping system solution for every project, every time.
To find out more about the support our company chemist or technical support team can offer, please get in touch.