SiC Foam-EP Composites Pipefittings

Pipefittings For Transport of Abrasive Fluids And Particles

Pipefittings made by metals are widely used for transferring slurry, different sized particles, corrosive gases and fluids in thermal power plants, mining and petrochemical industries. To improve the wear & erosion resistance of these metal pipefittings, there are several ways nowadays: ceramic lined, fiberglass lined, rubber lined or using high chromium cast steel instead. But when transporting abrasive fluids and sharp or large particles, the service life of rubber lined pipefittings and fiberglass lined pipefittings is only three months, while for ceramic lined pipefittings, the ceramic plates may peel off during particle erosion. Under this circumstance, we developed a new concept of Wear Resistance Pipe Fittings (WRPF) to increase service life for transporting abrasive fluids and particles with lower costs compared with high chromium cast steel made pipefittings.

Good Wear Resistance

Silicon carbide foam has high strength, high hardness, good oxidation resistance, corrosion resistance, wear resistance, high thermal conductivity, low thermal expansion coefficient. The three-dimensional structure formed by foam and the epoxy polymer material forms a double continuous phase structure and has excellent corrosion resistance and wear resistance.

Integral Inlay Technology

Silicon carbide foam can be made according to the form of tube or elbow, directly embedded into pipefittings after abrasive blasting treatment for inside surface of the pipefittings. Then pouring mixed slurry contains resin, micro-sized SiC powder and curing agent into the ceramic foam, using composite technology to form SiC-EP composites and compaginate with the metal pipefittings at the same time. So the ceramic inserts and the pipefittings will be a seamless, monolithic lined pipefittings.

Three Inlays

There are three Inlays from the inside of pipefittings out which are compact silicon carbide ceramic layer (thickness more than 1mm), silicon carbide foam-resin composites, epoxy resin layer and then is metal inside wall.