TPi January 2015

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42 Tube Products International January 2015
products & developments
Lightweight and durable alternative
Stauff has introduced aluminium
mounting hardware for pipe clamps for
the ship construction industry.
There are numerous benefits of using
aluminium in machine and plant
construction. Although aluminium is
considered to be a light metal with a
density of 2.6 to 2.8g per cm3, which
offers a potential weight saving of up
to 66 per cent compared to steel and
stainless steel, it still has exceptional
strength considering these properties.
However, the design and concept of
steel constructions can often not be
transferred one-to-one, due to the
higher malleability and lower residual
stress of aluminium components.
An additional benefit is the aluminium’s
inherent resistance to corrosion. When
exposed to oxygen, the light metal forms
an oxide coating, which is immediately
regenerated upon permeation.
Standard processing methods, such as
MIG, TIG and CMT welding, can easily
be used on aluminium, particularly
on substrates that are also made of
aluminium. In some instances, they can
be carried out more easily, more quickly
and using simpler equipment. The
magnetic neutrality can also be
a beneficial side effect of using
aluminium.
There is an increasing trend
towards using special seawater-
resistant, high-strength
aluminium alloys for com-
ponents and assemblies on
sailboats and yachts. These
materials, which contain
small portions of magnesium,
manganese and silicon in
addition to aluminium as the
main component, are popular
due to their quality and attractive
appearance.
In contrast to wood, they do not
require continuous treatment or
sealing.
For pipe clamps in the Standard Series
as per DIN 3015 (Part 1), which are
designed for easy and secure fixing
of metric or inch pipelines with outer
diameters from 6 to 102mm, Stauff
offers an aluminium alternative for all
dimensions of mounting hardware such
as cover plates and weld plates. Even in
the Heavy Series as per DIN 3015 (Part
2), certain components and sizes are
available in aluminium.
The dimensions and material
thicknesses of the aluminium
components correspond to the standard
surface-treated designs generally made
of steel or stainless steel, and therefore
facilitate the use of bolts of conventional
types and lengths, using the usual
recommended tightening torques. Due
to the low tendency to corrosion when
in contact with aluminium, the use of
bolts with the standard Stauff zinc/
nickel coating (material code W3) is
possible.
The retention forces of the tested pipe
clamps in direction of the cover plates,
which were tested and documented
under controlled conditions at the
Stauff in-house laboratories, met the
requirements.
Walter Stauffenberg GmbH & Co KG
– Germany
Flexible rubber tubing
Artel Rubber Company manufactures
and fabricates silicone and rubber tubing
and hose. The company’s flexible rubber
tubing withstands repeated bending,
stretching and pulsating forces, and is
stocked in various sizes for fast delivery.
The natural latex rubber tubing, for
applications requiring repeated flexing
and stretching, is used by the health
care industry, car and bus/truck
companies, large food manufacturers,
train companies, MOD, heating
(boilers), engine companies, high-
end car companies, large equipment
companies, marine, construction and
wind turbines.
Known for its flexibility, latex is among
the most elastic rubber materials in
use. Resiliency is another quality of
latex tubing, allowing it to maintain
memory after repeated elongation,
distortion and pulsation. Artel’s latex
tubing also withstands repeated
sterilisation with steam, ethylene
oxide or gamma radiation. There are
no added plasticisers, coagulants or
fillers to migrate and contaminate the
stream or cause tube hardening, and
the tubing remains flexible even at cold
temperatures.
Artel’s latex tubing is made from
pure liquid natural latex. The tubing
is seamless, uniform and smooth for
maximum flow. All ingredients are non-
toxic and conform to FDA standards.
A variety of fittings and clamps are also
available. Synthetic latex and reinforced
wire tubing is offered as a custom item.
It is made without the allergen-causing
protein found in natural latex.
ISO 9001:2008 accreditation ensures
quality for the rail, automotive, food,
pharmaceutical and defence industries.
Artel Rubber Company – UK
Heavy Series pipe clamp with cover plate made
of aluminium