Pipes like pressure pipes, sewer pipes, drainage pipes, industrial pipes, etc. are the products supplied by frp pipe manufacturers. These products are being made at manufacturing unit using Helical Winding Method. This method is most flexible one as manufacturers are able to produce different sizes of pipes at a time on the same machine. The engineers use GRP/FRP materials for production of FRP and GRP pipes. These materials are fed to computer controller winding machine. The operator starts the programme for specific pipe and the machine winds the pipe accordingly.
In this post, we will discuss different phases involved in the processing of FRP/GRP pipes.
· Mandrel preparation
First and foremost thing done by manufacturers is preparation of mandrel. Mandrel is cleaned and polished before its use. Once it is cleaned and polished, a thin film is wrapped across the mandrel to achieve better inner surface finish. This will help releasing of pipe smoothly and easily from mandrel.
· Liner preparation and curing
Nin next stage, manufacturers apply a resin layer on the mandrel. After that, multiple layers of resin is being applied with glass surface mat and chopped strand mat.
· Filament winding the structural part of the pipe
During helical winding process, continuous strands of closely spaced glass fibers are wound over the cured liner with computer controlled machine. Manufacturers perform winding pattern with pre-programmed machine to achieve the required thickness in the piping.
· Curing
Once the filament winding process is done, manufacturers put the mandrel for curing up to 1-2 hours. The timings depend on the weather condition.
· Pipe extraction from mandrel
When manufacturers are done with the curing process, the product is released from mandrel by hydraulic extraction machine.
· Final outside layer
When the pipe is removed from mandrel, a final layer of resin is applied by manufacturers with UV stabilizer.
· Preparing both ends of the pipe
After finishing the final layer with UV stabilizer, manufacturers cut the both rough ends of the pipe and calibrate them for coupler jointing. They prepare them for hydraulic testing and send the quality assured products to finished goods department.
These are critical phases involved in the process of manufacturing of pipes. FRP pipe manufacturers are performing every step with concentration to avoid making mistakes. To know more about FRP pipes and GRP pipes, write your requirements in comments below.
