materials feature | Oriented PVC Gold standard
PVC-O was honoured with the top prize at the SolVin Awards for innovation in PVC. Molecor took the gold prize for its work on advanced PVC-O pipe technologies, extending the diameter and market potential of such pipes. Its larger PVC-O pipe, which measures 630mm in diameter, is 50% larger than previous versions, opening up new market opportuni- ties. The company has since moved on to offer 800mm pipe.
Molecor scooped the top prize in last year’s Solvin Awards, for its PVC-O technology
Slow growth But despite the advantages of PVC-O, growth has not been as fast as might be expected. “The rhythm of expansion could be defi ned as slow,
considering the excellent performance of the product,” said Ignacio Muñoz, CEO of Molecor, the Spanish producer of PVC-O pipe machinery and the pipe itself. He believes there are several reasons why PVC-O
Molecor also supplies
special fi ttings for PVC-O pipe
pipe has not grown more strongly. The fi rst is standardi- sation: while there are global standards for PVC-O pipe, such as from ISO and ASTM, local standards were slow to develop. Having no local manufacturer to push for the local standard can create a circle that is diffi cult to break, he says. Then there is access to technology. PVC-O technol- ogy has been developed by pipe manufacturers, who are more interested in making their own product than they are in developing new markets or competitors, he said. And, he added, there have been technology limita- tions, especially with those available for alternative materials such as UPVC, PE and ductile iron. “Therefore, there were few projects of a certain com- plexity that could be developed exclusively with PVC-O,” he said. “This made it diffi cult for engineers and, as a result, these kinds of solutions were avoided.”
Now, he says, new developments in PVC-O are overcoming these
shortcomings: not only is larger diameter pipe available – up to 800mm, rather than the industry-standard 400mm that existed for years – but other breakthroughs include Molecor’s Integral Seal System (ISS+), which allows PVC-O pipes are to be joined together. This is ordinarily done by independent couplings for plain end pipes, or with a socketing system with a sealing of fl exible material that allows the end of the pipe to be introduced into the socket. Parameters that are considered for automated pipe
socketing are based on moulding and gasket position- ing. The main issue for PVC-O is the molecular orientation ratio. The temperature control that is necessary to prevent variations in size mean that automated seal insertion for this kind of pipe is very diffi cult in normal operation. Molecor’s system manufactures socketed biaxial
oriented pipes with automated integration of the gasket – retaining the orientation degree in the critical areas of the pipe. A reinforced rubber gasket is introduced inside the pipe straight after orientation, retaining the high mechanical properties of the PVC-O pipe – especially in the socket.
The ‘full dry’ system allows the conformation in the mould – during orientation – of almost any shape, says Molecor. An ‘open mouth’ shape is designed, ensuring that the accurate amount of orientation at any point is provided. Any gasket profi le can be easily introduced – whether they are rigid gaskets or restraining systems. “The system is easy to use and can be applied to any PVC-O pipe, independent of diameter or pressure rate,” said Muñoz.
Click on the links for more information:
www.rollepaal.com
www.pvc4pipes.com
www.molecor.com
www.wavinoverseas.com
www.solvayplastics.com
14 PIPE & PROFILE EXTRUSION | October 2014 www.pipeandprofi
le.com
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