Polymers Finding a Place in Drinking Water Applications

While different polymers are used throughout Minneapolis industrial floor coatings in garages, factories, plants, warehouses, and other environments, there are some places in the world where they are used in pipework systems.

The reason why this was even explored was because corroded and calcified steel and copper pipes that are used for drinking water, sprinkler systems, gases, and even compressed air can become clogged. They are typically cleaned by a special wet cleaning treatment that is gentle and thorough. However, after this process, the pipes are being smoothed down properly so that there are no shadow zones where rust could developed. After that, a mechanical drying process is done that then leads to the coating of the pipes with a seamless layer of polymer.

This has created a way to clean and coat defective pipes without the cost of replacing them.

This is a method that may be expected to spread throughout the world, as it is one that is being exercised in Switzerland. This means that the very materials that stand up to foot traffic and heavy machinery can restore drinking water pipes, giving them superior physical properties over some of the epoxy coatings that have been used to do similar repairs.

Such procedures add to the strength of the pipes, just as such coatings add to the strength of floors. Many piping systems are made to last around 50 years and Minnesota could benefit from this in a number of cities and towns because piping systems that were to be replaced long ago are in dire need of repair or replacement because they are being used well past their intended life spans. In fact, some of these piping systems have been used close to 100 years. A high quality polymer covering the inner surface of such pipes could reduce leaks and breaks of all types of pipes within cities. This could reduce the manpower needed to make the repairs, thus saving these communities a great deal of money.

When it comes to these coatings, they have low viscosity, which means the product spreads evenly and freely. The curing time is also fast, reducing the amount of time that needs to be spent on the coating of the pipe. After 24 hours, the pipe can usually be controlled and flushed.