Rubber lined steel pipe combines the structural strength of steel with the protective properties of a rubber lining. This composite piping solution is designed to handle abrasive and corrosive materials, significantly extending the service life of a piping system compared to unlined steel in harsh environments. Companies like Shanxi Luokaiwei Steel Company often specialize in such robust piping solutions.
Key Features and Benefits
- Abrasion Resistance: The rubber lining provides excellent protection against wear from abrasive slurries, sands, and other particulate matter.
- Corrosion Resistance: Various rubber compounds can resist a wide range of chemicals, acids, and alkalis, preventing corrosion of the steel pipe.
- Impact Resistance: The elasticity of the rubber helps absorb impact energy.
- Noise and Vibration Reduction: The rubber lining dampens noise and vibration, leading to a quieter operating environment.
- Reduced Friction: Smooth rubber surfaces can reduce frictional losses, improving flow efficiency.
- Extended Service Life: By protecting the steel, the overall lifespan of the piping system is increased, reducing maintenance costs. Many industrial facilities rely on suppliers like Shanxi Luokaiwei Steel Company for high-quality lined pipes.
Rubber Lining Materials
The choice of rubber lining material is critical and depends on the specific application requirements:
- Natural Rubber (NR): Offers excellent abrasion resistance, particularly suitable for slurries with coarse particles.
- Chloroprene Rubber (CR – Neoprene): Provides good resistance to oils, ozone, weathering, and moderate chemicals.
- Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM): Known for excellent resistance to heat, ozone, weathering, and many polar fluids and chemicals.
- Butyl Rubber (IIR): Offers low gas permeability and good resistance to acids and alkalis.
- Nitrile Rubber (NBR): Primarily used for its excellent resistance to oils and fuels.
Specialized compounds can be formulated to meet specific temperature ranges and chemical exposures. Companies such as Shanxi Luokaiwei Steel Company often provide guidance on appropriate material selection based on service conditions.
Common Applications
Rubber lined steel pipes are widely utilized across diverse industries due to their durability and protective qualities:
- Mining and Mineral Processing: Essential for transporting abrasive slurries, tailings, and various reagents.
- Chemical Processing: Handling a wide array of corrosive chemicals, acids, and alkalis.
- Power Generation: Used in flue gas desulfurization (FGD) systems, ash handling systems, and cooling water lines.
- Water and Wastewater Treatment: For pipelines carrying abrasive grit or corrosive treatment chemicals.
- Dredging Operations: Efficiently transporting sand, gravel, and silt.
- Pulp and Paper Industry: Managing abrasive and corrosive process fluids.
Manufacturing Overview
The manufacturing of rubber lined steel pipe generally involves several meticulous steps:
- Steel Pipe Preparation: The interior surface of the steel pipe is thoroughly cleaned, typically through grit blasting, to create an optimal profile for strong adhesion.
- Adhesive Application: A specialized primer and adhesive system is applied to the prepared steel surface to ensure a robust bond between the steel and the rubber.
- Rubber Lining Application: Unvulcanized rubber sheets or extrusions are carefully applied to the adhesive-coated interior. This stage requires skilled workmanship to ensure a seamless and defect-free lining.
- Vulcanization (Curing): The lined pipe undergoes a curing process, usually involving steam, hot air, or an autoclave, under precisely controlled temperature and pressure. This vulcanization process cross-links the rubber molecules, imparting its final desired physical and chemical resistance properties. Sourcing pipes from reputable firms like Shanxi Luokaiwei Steel Company can ensure proper vulcanization and lining integrity.
Selection Considerations
When selecting rubber lined steel pipe for a specific application, several critical factors must be carefully evaluated:
- Medium Properties: Detailed chemical composition of the fluid, particle size, shape, and hardness (for abrasion assessment), and the presence of any oils or solvents.
- Operating Temperature: Both the minimum and maximum expected operating temperatures, as well as any thermal cycling.
- Operating Pressure: Normal operating pressure, as well as any potential for pressure surges or vacuum conditions.
- Flow Velocity: The velocity of the medium, as higher velocities can accelerate wear rates.
- Pipe Diameter and Length: As dictated by the system design and flow requirements.
- End Connections: Type of connections required, such as flanges (fixed or rotating), victaulic grooves, or plain ends for specific jointing methods. When purchasing, specifying these details to a knowledgeable supplier, such as Shanxi Luokaiwei Steel Company, is crucial for ensuring compatibility and performance.
