October 25th, 2011
We operate primarily within industries where component and material faultlessness are paramount. Innovations are greeted with a critical eye (can they stand up to their promise?) and longstanding bastions are tough to replace. One such frontrunner is titanium. We occasionally publish news entries about the diverse applications of titanium – golf clubs, climbing equipment, steam condensers, seawater management systems etc – so here’s a brief novice’s guide to exactly why titanium retains its rank in our business.
Component Lifecycle vs. Replacement Costs
It’s an industry-wide conundrum – spend more on longer lasting components (titanium socket weld, flanges etc) or spend less on weaker materials that will need to be replaced sooner. In our opinion, a little extra investment in top quality products, expert engineering and faultless manufacture is always best. We promote titanium as improving the average lifecycle of a component (compared to its lifecycle when made from an inferior material) by around 500%
Qualities of Titanium
• The surface oxide layer of titanium is the element that gives it such astonishing resilience to temperature and corrosion (certainly a worthy quality in terms of components such as tubing, flanges and socket weld)
• The density of titanium if roughly half the density of other nickel-based alloys.
• The exceedingly high weight to strength ratio of titanium is perhaps its most well-known quality.
• Temperature resistance (both high and low) is also an incredibly prominent quality of titanium.
• Resistance to both erosive and corrosive products makes titanium an invaluable material in the petrochemical industry.
Tags: Flanges, socket weld
Posted in Flanges, Pipe Fittings, Pipe Flanges, couplings | No Comments »
June 12th, 2011
At Chemipetro, we manufacture, stock and supply parts that are made to last. In fact, we have built up a global reputation for reliability and high quality on that very fact.
Our rigorous testing is carried out by a top team of highly-trained quality testing engineers, researchers and mechanical operators. They work under a stringent quality management system approved to BS EN ISO 9001 by Lloyds Register Quality Assurance.
That means you can order from us with confidence, whether you need products ranging from stainless steel tubing to socket weld to pipe flanges and tie rods.
Because we carry one of the largest ranges of stock in the world, you can rest assured that the materials you need will be with you swiftly. For instance, we can supply high quality flanges to any specification to any location. They conform to most recognised standards, including NORSOK M650, SHELL ES247 – and we keep them all in stock.
It’s quite a proud boast but then again, we are proud of all of our products because we know they are of high quality and British-made.
All of our products are made and supplied in full accordance with the requirements of your purchase order and also in accordance with the associated international and contractual specifications. We assure control of this ourselves.
Further testing is also available if you need further reassurance, ranging from ultrasonic testing to magnet particle inspection, product analysis and hardness surveys. Our team is there to assist and advise you at every stage of the process.
Tags: Pipe Flanges, socket weld, tie rods
Posted in Pipe Flanges | No Comments »
February 26th, 2011
Chemi Petro makes use of duplex stainless steel alloys which are just perfect for use in products such as seamless pipe, flanges, butt welded pipe and socket weld and screwed pressure fittings. We also make extensive use of super duplex stainless steel, which was developed in the 1980s to replace the first generation of duplex stainless steel materials.
Super duplex steel has many advantages: it is extremely high strength, is completely resistant to pitting and corrosion, will not crack or corrode and has a high thermal conductivity. Super duplex also has a high energy absorption rate and is easily weld-able and workable. We also make use when it is appropriate, of premium titanium and regular traditional stainless steel. We only work with the very best materials and carefully consider which is the best material for each particular product.
Our considerable experience in the manufacturing industry puts us in the ideal position to have a great depth of knowledge of the unique properties of each material as well as the foresight to recognize new developments early as far as new high tech materials are concerned.
Whether you need to order regular products from our comprehensive range or require a bespoke solution to a particular problem, we always enjoy the challenge of turning a problem into an opportunity to hone our specialist skills. For more details and in order to obtain a quote, please contact us via our website today at www.chemipetro.co.uk.
Tags: butt welds, Duplex, socket weld, Super Duplex
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January 21st, 2011
In any pipeline there will come a point where it is necessary to change the size of the pipe. Usually, this is at a branch connection where the flow has been reduced. This may be a simple matter in theory but how it achieved in practice? After all, it is not possible to just squeeze a pipe down. Also, if a step is introduced by just welding a smaller pipe onto a flat end this can cause debris or gas to build up in the pipe. If this breaks free then it can cause damage to equipment such as valves and pumps further down the line.
What is needed is a specially manufactured transition piece. These types of pipe fittings are called swage nipples. These pipe fittings are small length sections and can be manufacture in various sizes to suit the transition needed. They can also be manufacture with various end fittings so they can be butt welded, socket welded or screw connected. In the latter case it is usual for both ends to be provided with male threads so that these pipe fittings fit inside the pipe lengths it is connected to.
The inside of the swage nipple is cast or machined to give an easy transition between the sizes at either end with no steps. They can be manufactured in concentric an eccentric formats as required.
At Chemipetro, we manufacture a range of pipe fittings for use in high pressure installations including swage nipples to suit any specific requirements and type of connection so that this is not such a difficult problem after all.
Tags: Flanges, Pipe Fittings, Pipe Flanges, socket weld
Posted in Pipe Fittings | No Comments »
January 18th, 2011
There are many different pipeline applications in the petro chemical industry. Some pipelines of course carry oil, some carry lighter fuels, some carry water and some carry gas. The design of the pipeline and its associated pipe fittings will vary dependent upon its application. The materials that the pipeline is constructed from will vary dependent on what it is to carry.
The other variables that may apply to any particular job are temperature and pressure. As well as the type of material that the pipeline is made from these factors will also have an impact on the type of pipe fittings and flanges used.
A good example of this is the way in which the pipes and pipe fittings are joined together. The simplest and most common way utilises butt welds. Here the pipes and flange necks are simply butted together and the joint welded. The ends of the pipe and flange necks are bevelled so that when they are brought together there is a groove for the weld.
In the majority of applications this is acceptable but is some situations where the pipeline is to be exerted to high temperatures and pressures a stronger joint is required. This is a socket weld. Here the pipe is inserted into the next pipe or flange and the weld run around the outside. It is therefore not the weld that is subjected to the pressure but the wall of the pipe itself.
At Chemipetro we manufacture a range of socket weld pipe fittings for use in these applications.
Tags: Flanges, Pipe Fittings, socket weld, socket weld pipe fittings
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November 27th, 2010
At Chemipetro we manufacture a wide range of pipe flanges and pipe fittings suitable for butt weld or socket weld applications. Whilst butt welding is probably the more common method, socket weld has its specific uses.
In a butt weld application, both the end of the pipe and the fitting have a bevelled edge ground into the outer rim such than when the two pieces are brought together they form a groove around the circumference. This V shape forms the base for the weld and ensures a good contact surface for the welding material.
With a socket weld the flange actually has a collar which slips over the pipe. The pipe is inserted into the collar and then most importantly pulled out slightly, leaving a gap between the end of the pipe and the base of the socket. The socket is then welded onto the pipe.
The gap is important to allow the pipe to expand if it is subjected to any increase in temperature, causing thermal expansion. If there were no gap then the weld and the flange would be subject to stress as the pipe pushes against the base of the flange and under extreme conditions could cause the joint to fail.
Socket welded flanges were originally developed for use with small bore pipework which was subjected to high pressures. It was realised however that whilst their static strength was the same as a butt weld, their fatigue strength was up to 50% greater. Also with socket welded flanges it is possible to produce a smoother internal bore making them especially useful in chemical processing applications.
Tags: Pipe Fittings, socket weld, weld, welded flanges
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July 30th, 2010
How lengths of pipe and pipe fittings are actually connected together would seem, on the face of it, to be a relatively simple exercise but in fact it is a very complex issue.
It is possible to use pipe flanges, but this is an expensive option and is really only suitable for situations where the pipework has to be dismantled for maintenance, as all bolted flanges introduce a weakness.
It is possible to use a threaded connection where the end of one pipe is screwed into the end of another pipe. This method is commonly used for smaller pipe sizes. However the cutting of the thread reduces the thickness of the pipe material and so again introduces a weakness.
The preferred option for joining pipe lengths is a welded joint. But again there are different options depending upon the application. The most common type is the butt weld. This is a connection between two pipes of the same size. The end of each pipe is bevelled so that when the two ends are placed together a V is formed. The pipes are then welded around this V.
However in situations where there are high pressures and the flow characteristics are important, a socket weld can be used. Here one of the pipes has a larger collar which fits over the other pipe. The weld is then done on the outside. These are easy to use especially on small bore pipes.
Whatever type or pipe connection you propose to carry out, we at Chemipetro manufacture a wide range of pipe fittings and pipe flanges to meet all your requirements.
Tags: Flanges, Pipe Fittings, Pipe Flanges, socket weld
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