The plumbing industry is a multi-billion dollar industry, and it is dependent upon metal pipes. Metal pipes are used beyond plumbing, however. Natural gas, oil, and water are all transported through underground metal pipes. These pipes are built to last for years, as it’s obviously extremely expensive and time-consuming to replace them. However, they are not immune to damage. Perhaps one of the main types of damage that these metal pipes can undergo is corrosion. Corrosion can occur when metal pipes are exposed to chemicals and water over time, and pipe erosion can get out of hand quite quickly. In fact, metal corrosion can cost the U.S. economy almost $300 billion each year.
It’s incredibly important for those in charge of pipe systems to invest in corrosion prevention methods. Perhaps one of the most significant types of corrosion prevention is the pipe wear pad. Pipe wear pads can make a significant difference for pipelines. But there is a lot of misinformation existing about this corrosion prevention tool. With that being said, let’s explore some of the advantages of using pipe wear pads.
1. They Prevent Friction
Perhaps one of the most significant benefits of using pipe wear pads is that they provide friction prevention. Friction occurs in pipelines due to vibration, especially at the connection points of the piping system. As this vibration shakes the pipes, the protective coating that prevents corrosion will gradually wear away. Metal on metal friction is created in the process. This results in long term damage, which potentially calls for repairs or even replacements.
The reason why this damage occurs in the first place is that condensation can collect on these metal on metal areas. This is where corrosion comes into play, and it can spread throughout piping systems fairly quickly. Pipe wear pads are some of the only types of prevention that are effective against this particular issue.
2. They Isolate the Pipe From Support
One of the main reasons why corrosion and wear occur within piping systems is that pipelines allow for too close a connection. Therefore, it’s all too easy for pipes to rub against each other and cause damage.
Pipe wear pads essentially separate the pipes from the support systems and isolate the pipes. This reduces the risk of friction, while also preserving the pipes for the long term. Additionally, these pads also can make it easier for repairs to do be done on individual sections of pipelines due to the isolation that it creates.
3. They Save Money
While it may initially be somewhat costly to add pipe wear pads if they were not already existing within pipelines, in the long term they save money. Corrosion and damage make it necessary for pipes to be repaired, often prematurely. These types of repairs can be prevented through the use of pipe wear pads.
Pipeline repairs are incredibly important, but they’re also quite expensive. They require unearthing pipelines and sending employees down to work on them, often for days at a time. The materials themselves are expensive, and the labor adds to that expense. Any way of preventing this issue is very much worth the cost.
4. They’re More Effective Than Alternatives
One of the main alternatives to pipe wear pads in terms of attempting to prevent pipe corrosion is the classic pipe half-saddle. However, this method often isn’t as long term as pipe wear pads.
Pipe half-saddles actually require changing out every support structure in a system. This is quite expensive, and they don’t always last as long as pipe wear pads. Therefore, it makes much more sense to invest in pipe wear pads outright.
There are lots of benefits to using pipe wear pads. What’s most important is that these pads can be relied upon for the long term, reducing friction and creating a more safe and stable environment for pipelines and those that rely on them.
Leave a Reply