TPi October 2011

plast ic pipes

Fittings for plastic pipeline construction Reinert-Ritz GmbH, headquartered in Nordhorn, Germany, is an expert in high quality, high value semi- finished products and pipeline fittings in thermo-plastic materials. Since 1970 the company has developed, in close cooperation with its customers, material-related solutions to problems for the construction of pipelines.

manufacture of products is controlled from receipt of the raw material to the semi- finished products and finished products, according to national and international quality standards and guidelines. In 2010, thedeliveryprogrammewasextendedwith seamless bends up to 900mm diameter, as well as the cost-saving profile tee in the same dimension. For several years the trend, from an economic point of view, has been moving towards an increase in the diameter of large diameter pipes. At the same time, the requirement for the pressure loading of the pipe systems has also been seen to be increasing. Higher operational pressures call for the appropriate fittings.

The manufacture of hollow bar and solid rod from PE and PP is a speciality of the company. Thick-walled pipe up to an external diameter of 1,850mm and solid rod up to an external diameter of 1,010mm are extruded in-house. From this material, Reinert-Ritz manufactures standard and specialised fittings utilising modern CNC turning and milling machines, either in small series or as one-off products. Large series are produced by plastic injection moulding machines. In addition to standard products, such as welding stub ends, reducers, tees, sockets, branches and transition pieces, the company offers tailor-made solutions to problems. The

PE100 D900mm pipe

Reinert-Ritz GmbH – Germany contact@reinert-ritz.com www.reinert-ritz.com

Sustainability and performance in HDPE pipe At the Wasser Berlin International, Berlin, Germany, SABIC showcased its new Vestolen A RELY family of tough, sustainable and cost-effective bimodal high-density polyethylene (HDPE) materials for pressure pipe applications. The range offers converters energy savings and enables environmentally responsible pipe installation. cost effectiveness. We also welcome new partners who can help us drive development of new pipe solutions utilising our high-performance HDPE materials and extensive technological resources and expertise.” and performance for transporting potable water, gas, sewage and other liquids.

Vestolen A RELY 5922R offers resistance to slow crack growth propagation in high-pressure pipe applications and can therefore be used with advanced trenchless pipe installation technologies such as re-lining, horizontal directional drilling and guided boring. Its resistance to slow crack growth is demonstrated by results of the FNCT (>8760h) and pipe notch test (>8760h, DIN and ISO 13479). This grade also has an internal pressure approval for PE 100, meeting EN12201 and EN1555 standards. The primary slow crack growth resistance testing methods for HDPE for pressure pipes have drawbacks, including high cost, long durations of a year or more and uncertain reliability. SABIC’s new Strain Hardening method correlates well to traditional methods that assess the slow crack growth behaviour of HDPE. The method is typically able to determine the intrinsic slow crack growth behaviour via a simple tensile test at 80°C.

The first two grades within the SABIC Vestolen A RELY portfolio – one designed for low sagging and the other engineered for high resistance to slow crack growth – contribute to the eco-responsible production and use of pressure pipe. With these materials, converters can reduce energy. Developers and contractors can select trenchless pipe installation such as guided boring and horizontal directional drilling that reduce impact on the environment. Both new materials are classified as PE100 grades, demonstrating compliance with the highest industry standards for HDPE pressure pipe. Vestolen A RELY 5924R delivers low sag performance for large diameter pipes and pressure pipes with a low standard dimension ratio (SDR). This grade has an internal pressure approval for PE 100 that complies with the EN12201 and EN1555 standards, underscoring its quality

The company also presented its new Strain Hardening method, a fast, cost-efficient and accurate method for evaluating the slow crack growth resistance behaviour of HDPE. The method avoids the use of detergents, which can pose an environmental hazard, and avoids the use of valuable drinking water. “Our new SABIC Vestolen A RELY products in combination with the Strain Hardening method – that measures their performance – are key deliverables in SABIC’s global strategy to supply the pressure pipe industry with breakthrough technologies,” said Jean Engels, business manager HDPE SABIC. “SABIC takes great pride in proactively developing materials and methodologies that meet current and emerging industry needs, particularly in the areas of sustainability and

SABIC Europe – Netherlands www.sabic-europe.com

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Tube Products International October 2011

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