Mechanical jointing for thin-wall stainless-steel pipework
Victaulic has developed a mechanical jointing method for thin-wall stainless-steel pipes that does not require specialist welding skills. Called StrengThin 100, it has been developed in response to the growing trend in Europe towards the use of thin-wall stainless-steel piping for applications such as chilled water, cooling, potable water and oil-free air systems.
Total installation costs are said to be reduced by 15% compared to welding.
Designed for type 304/316 stainless steel, the system includes couplings, fittings and valves. It is said to be the industry’s first grooved mechanical piping system designed to perform at up to 16 bar. The system has a groove profile that creates coupling engagement while eliminating the risk of pipe flare.
The system includes installation-ready couplings that do not need to be taken apart to wrap around the pipe sections to be joined. There are also expansion joints, grooved fittings and butterfly valves for bi-directional dead-end services.
Among the issues involved with welding are leaving pipes susceptible to overheating and requiring the use of chemical treatment on pipes to restore their corrosion resistance.
