Plast ic and
composi te
innovat ions
While early users of plastics were most intrigued by the signature
quality of mouldability, pipe makers saw in the “building blocks
of hydrocarbons” a host of other properties: strength, light
weight, portability; relative chemical inertness, durability,
insolubility in water; resistance to corrosion and
extreme pressure and to environmental stressors;
economy and ease of installation. a bright
future lay ahead for plastic pipes, and it was
not long in arriving. as much as ever today,
the same qualities of plastic pipe commend
it to customers in an ever-widening array of
industries – some of which did not even exist
when plastics first came on the scene. While
some things never change, others are always
changing. not only does plastic pipe fit into
both categories: it bestrides them.
Photograph: Kingfisher Industrial Ltd (see page 52)
