TPT March 2013

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Technology News
March 2013 61
Multifunctional layered pipes
KRAUSSMAFFEI Berstorff produces
multifaceted systems for manufacturing
multi-layered pipes with multifunctional
layers.
The company reports that there is
a trend towards increasingly complex
plastic pipes with various functional
layers. Reducing material costs plays
a large role in this, such as with foam
core or mineral-filled pipes. On the other
hand, individual layers meet technical
requirements for the functionality of a
pipe. For instance, barrier layers reduce
diffusion, fibre-reinforced pipes increase
internal crush resistance and pipes filled
with glass fibre reduce linear expansion.
KraussMaffei Berstorff offers extrusion
systems using specifically designed
multilayer pipe heads. “We will be
able to meet all inquiries for producing
multilayer pipes involving up to seven
layers with our pipe head product line,”
said Michael Hofhus, manager of the
company’s pipe extrusion product group.
“In addition to that, the well-considered
process technology concept of this kind
of complex system also plays a critical
role. It ensures, for instance, that the
layer thicknesses of the barrier layers
can be minimised and thus the pipe
manufacturer saves on costs. In addition,
the market demands for flexible solutions
are also met.”
KraussMaffei Berstorff’s customised
co-extrusion solutions are designed
for manufacturing pipes with high
filler content or foamed pipes. This is
necessary, since the portion of filler
increases continuously, which allows
the processor to create a high-quality
product with significantly reduced
weight with cost savings. “We offer
our customers an intelligent machine
arrangement for manufacturing multi-
layered pipes with an installation
area the same size as a system for
manufacturing single-layer pipes,”
commented Mr Hofhus. “Using our co-
extrusion solutions, the processor saves
up to 25 per cent on raw material while
reducing pipe weight by up to 25 per
cent.”
The company’s direct extrusion
systems allow extrusion of mineral-filled
pipes in a single-stage procedure. By
using these systems for the production
of polypropylene pipes filled with
barium sulphate, for example, individual
components can be processed directly
or the finished compound can be used.
A second, downstream production
process can be completely eliminated.
The particular use for these kinds of
pipes is as wastewater pipes in large
residential buildings due to their noise-
dampening properties.
Multilayer adapters are used when
manufacturing thin outer layers. These
can be installed on any KraussMaffei
Berstorff standard pipe head entirely
without issue. Due to slight modifications
of the flow contour, almost any material
(including adhesive, EVOH and PP) can
be shaped into a uniform layer.
KraussMaffei Technologies GmbH –
Germany
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