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| After the melting process, the ductile iron is then directed to centrifugal pipe-casting machines. The newest and most modern of these machines were designed and built by ACIPCO. Molten ductile iron pours from the bottom of a quadrant-type ladle into a rotating pipe mold inside the casting machine. A head core made of resin-coated sand serves to seal the bell end of the mold and form the inside of the bell of the pipe for the specific joint being made.
As the mold rotates, centrifugal force distributes the metal evenly, forming the pipe wall. The newly cast pipes, up to 1600mm in diameter, are heat treated in annealing ovens to optimize the strength and ductility of the iron.
When the pipes emerge from the ovens, each piece of pipe is subjected to a hydrostatic test in accordance with ISO 2531. Further testing verifies dimensions, mechanical properties, and weight. |
When pipes emerge from the ovens, each piece of pipe is subjected to a hydrostatic test in accordance with ISO 2531. This photograph shows a 1200mm, Class K9 pipe being hydrostatically tested to a pressure of 40 bars. |
After testing, some pipes are routed for special fabrication. Most pipes go straight to ACIPCO's internal lining and external coating facility.
After lining and coating, the pipes are marked and taken to a curing building where the cement linings are cured for 24 hours in an environmentally controlled building.
Because of our focus on excellence, in 1994 ACIPCO was the first North American ductile iron pipe manufacturer to receive ISO 9000 certification for quality assurance.
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