Essentials of Pipe Clamps in Industrial Plant
If you belong to the piping industry, you might be aware of the importance of pipe fixings that provides a support mechanism for suspended pipes. Do you know pipe fixing failure can cause quite significant damage as well as lead to unnecessary cost to a piping system design? Therefore it is vital to get it right. One useful tool widely used to ensure that all pipes are fixed appropriately and also enables any pipe movement or expansion that may occur is pipe clamps. Numerous variety of pipe clamps are used in different industrial applications. It comes with different sizes, designs, purposes, functionality, usage, and more, each one meant for specific work to be done.
Pipe Clamps Types:
- Adjustable Pipe Clamps: Made from aluminum, steel, or plastic, these piping clamps possess the ability to modify themselves as per the required pipe diameter.
- Cushioned Pipe Clamps: Made up of steel or iron and easy to install. It contains a rubber cushion that helps prevent materials from galvanic corrosion and marring. Cushioned Pipe Clamps are majorly used with non-insulated pipes.
- U-bolts: Extensively used for small bore piping systems as rest+guide+hold down or rest+guide+hold down+line stop. It mainly consists of aluminum, steel, and malleable iron.
- Rigid Clamps: Simplest of all the clamps, it is most preferred for rigidly attaching two pieces. Made from iron or steel, rigid clamps are available as single body pipe clamps or two-part pipe clamps that screwed easily.
- Two-Bolt: Mainly used for hanging bare pipes without any insulation. Possess less load-carrying capability compared to three-bolt pipe clamp.
- Three-Bolt: Majorly used for suspending horizontal insulated piping that carries high-temperature fluids. The load-carrying capability of this type of pipe clamps is comparatively more than two-bolt pipe clamps.
Pipe clamps usage differs widely, depending on the nature of work. However, when considering your clamp options, it is wise to be very clear on the aspects of why you are buying the tool.
Size: Measured in diameter, it is the space between one end of the piping to the other — it would define the kind of tube that can best fit in there. So, it is necessary to consider the outer diameter of the pipe or whatever object that needs clamping.
Materials: Pipe clamps are manufactured from a few of the more common materials as follows:
- Carbon Steel
- Brass
- Copper
- Aluminum
- Stainless Steel
- Alloy Steel
- Plastic
- Chrome/Chrome-Plated
Applications: Pipe clamps are commonly used in the piping and plumbing industry. Some of the applications include:
- To fix pipes with structures to provide support.
- To offer safe, speedy, cost-effective service and installation in the entire piping system.
- Different kinds of fastening applications.
- To absorb shock, dampen vibration, and reduce noise in the pipes
Final Words:
There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to selecting the appropriate pipe fixings for the piping system. It depends on the unique installation environment, and applications requirements. Piping design plays a vital role in any industrial plant facility and so it requires precision with design. Consider hiring an experienced piping design and engineering services provider that adheres to international codes & standards to help you select the right pipe clamp for your piping project.
