Composites USA - Home
           
about_us2.gif (371 bytes) what's_new2.gif (501 bytes) products_services3.gif (546 bytes) field_services3.gif (502 bytes) field_services3.gif (502 bytes) contact_us3.gif (434 bytes)
duct_class_1.gif (713 bytes)
duct - dual guard.gif (555 bytes)
dampers.gif (408 bytes)
pipe.gif (313 bytes)
dual_laminate_button.gif (501 bytes)
process vessels.gif (592 bytes)
scrubbers.gif (463 bytes)
stacks.gif (398 bytes)
custom accessories.gif (675 bytes)
mil - spec.gif (431 bytes)


Dual Laminate-Equipment
Specifications
Design Considerations
Detail Sheets
Specifications
Thermoplastic Lined Steel Equipment
Quality Assurance and Testing
SPECIFICATIONS

DUAL LAMINATE EQUIPMENT

CUSTOMER/ PROJECT:

REQUIREMENTS

GENERAL


Dual laminate equipment shall be manufactured by Composites USA, Inc., incorporating only first class, virgin raw materials, sound engineering design and state of the art manufacturing techniques as outlined below.

1. SCOPE

This specification is to give information on dual laminate equipment to fabricate a corrosion resistant thermoplastic liner with a reinforced thermoset resin plastic (RTRP) structural overlay.

The overall fabrication is to meet the project requirements as specified and the minimum requirements of ASME RTP-1 and BS-4994 as applicable.

This specification utilizes the recommended practices, procedures and testing of materials and fabrication, as outlined in ASME RTP-1, BS 4994, ASTM C-582, C-1147, D-570, D-635, D-638, D-648, D-696-88, D-756, D-790, D-792, D-903, D-1042, D-1238, DIN 53455, DIN 53479, and DIN 53735.

This specification shall provide information on materials, fabrication practices and welder and fabricator qualifications and testing for dual laminate equipment.

2. MATERIALS

Materials used shall adhere to the ASTM and DIN standards for material testing by the manufacturers, as listed in Section 1.3 of this specification. Only virgin, first class materials are to be used in fabrication. All materials are to meet the manufacturer specifications. Certifications to that effect are to be kept on file at Composites USA, Inc., the equipment manufacturer.

2.1 PVC/CPVC for lining

2.1.1 The PVC/CPVC shall be no less than 0.125" (3mm) thick or more than 0.250" (6mm) thick, unless specified. Delamination due to the differences in the coefficient of thermal expansion between the liner and the RTRP structural overwrap is possible and must be accounted for in the design.

2.1.2 Only chemical grade, rigid unplasticized (per ASTM D-1784), press laminated PVC/CPVC sheet with is to be used, extruded sheet is not acceptable.

2.1.3 The welding rod and the sheet shall be of the same material. The welding rod diameter shall not exceed the sheet thickness.

2.1.4 For a bonded liner the bonding resin is to be BASF Palatal A-410, Owens-Corning E-105, Crystic 392 or an approved equal. The bonding resin is to be applied as per the manufacturer recommendations.

2.2 Polypropylene/Polyethylene for lining

2.2.1 The polypropylene/polyethylene shall be no less than 0.090" (2.5mm) thick or more than 0.187" (5mm) thick, unless specified. Delamination due to the differences in the coefficient of thermal expansion between the liner and the RTRP structural overwrap is possible and must be accounted for in the design. The sheet shall have a thermoformable fabric or glass knit backing. The manufacturer shall be Compression Polymer, Simona or Westlake Plastics, unless otherwise specified.

2.2.2 Only chemical grade polypropylene/polyethylene (homopolymer), stress relieved fabric or glass backed sheet is to be used, unless otherwise noted on the equipment specification.

2.2.3 The melt flow index of the sheet, rod and cap strip must be closely matched. The welding rod diameter shall not exceed the sheet thickness. The cap strip will be 0.060"(1.5mm) thick fabric or glass backed material x 5/8"(19mm) wide.

2.3 Fluoropolymers for lining

2.3.1 Fluoropolymers shall be no less than 0.060"(1.5mm) thick or no more than 0.090"(2.5mm) thick, unless specified. Delamination due to the differences in the coefficient of thermal expansion between the liner and the RTRP structural overwrap is possible and must be accounted for in the design. The fluoropolymer sheet shall have a thermoformable fabric or glass knit backing. The manufacturer shall be Compression Polymer, DuPont, Simona, Symalit or Westlake Plastics, unless otherwise specified.

2.3.2 The welding rod and the sheet shall be of the same material. The welding rod diameter shall not exceed the sheet thickness. The cap strip will be 0.060"(1.5mm) thick fabric or glass backed material x 5/8"(19mm) wide. The melt flow index of the sheet, rod and cap strip must be closely matched.

2.4 Laminate

The laminate shall consist of 4 distinct parts interior (corrosion barrier) Sections 2.0 - 2.3.2, a bonding layer, Section 2.4.3, a structural layer and an exterior layer.

2.4.1 Resin

The thermoset resin will be as specified or dictated by application, environment or the particular equipment specification.

2.4.2 Reinforcment

The reinforcing material shall be a commercial grade of glass fiber having a coupling agent, which will provide a suitable bond between the glass reinforcement and the resin and in accordance with ASTM C-582.

Typical Liner Material Properties

Mechanical Properties
ASTM
Unit
PVC
CPVC
PP
PVDF
PVDF AS
ECTFE
ETFE
FEP
PFA
RTRP
Typical
Specific Gravity1
D792
See
Note 2
1.32
1.55
.91
1.76
1.78
1.69
1.70
2.15
2.15
1.12
Tensile Strength1
D638
psi (SI)
6300 (45)
8000 (55)
5000
(33)
7111
(50)
4900
(32)
6400
(45)
6250
(44)
3400
(25)
3840 (27)
18000
Tensile
Modulus1
D638
psi
(SI)
360000 (2500) 360000 (2500) 170700 (1200) 341400 (2400) 250000 (1750) 241800 (1700) 156500
(1100)
60500
(425)
39800
(280)
1550000
Flexural
Modulus1
D790
psi
(SI)
415000
(2860)
415000
(2860)
200000
(1406)
320000
(2250)
241800
(1700)
241800
(1700)
184900
(1300)
98900
(660)
98900
(660)
1150000
Flexural
Strength1
D790
psi
(SI)
15100
(104)
15100
(104)
6685
(47)
10525
(74)
6381
(44)
6258
(44)
5500
(39)
2560
(18)
2560
(18)
23000
Hardness
D2240
Shore D
80
80
73
77
77
75
67
56
60
 
Elongation
at break1
 
%
20-30
20-30
20-300
20-80
15
200
200
299
300
 
Thermal
Properties
                       
Maximum
Service Temp.
 
**
140
/
60
190
/
90
200
/
94
300
/
149
250
/
120
300
/
149
300
/
149
400
/
205
500
/
260
300
Linear Thermal
Exp. Coef.3
D696
Fo
35
35
85
70
80
40
75
50
70
18
Heat
Melt Point
 
Fo
220
230
330
342
315
465
515
525
590
N/A
Distortion
Temp.
D648
@
264 psi
 
135
180
107
235
150
170
270
118
118
200-280
Fire Class
UL 94
 
V-O
V-O
HB/V-2
V-O
V-O
V-O
V-O
V-O
V-O
 

Note 1: Tests were run at ambient temperatures, and the manufacturers supplied the results.
Note 2: PSI = Pounds per square inch, SI = N/mm2 : Newton per square millimeter.
Note 3: Thermal expansion 10-6 in/(in x oF change)
Typical Liner Material Properties

2.4.3 Bonding Laminate

The bonding laminate with a conductive element for spark testing will consist of one the following:

A. 1- layer of conductive veil, followed by 2- layers of 1 1/2 oz. chopped strand mat, utilizing the same resin of construction.

B. The weld seams covered with a graphite loaded resin putty, no more than 1" wide, followed by 2- layers of 1 1/2 oz. chopped strand mat, utilizing the same resin of construction. The layers of mat must be applied prior to the putty going through exotherm.

C. Sprinkling all of the weld seams and the surrounding backing with graphite talc, followed by 2- layers of 1 1/2 oz. chopped strand mat utilizing the same resin of construction.

These conductive options allow for the ability to inspect the liner after the equipment is completed, as well as to check on the integrity of the liner after it has been in service by utilization of a spark test.

The bonding laminate is considered as a part of the structural wall for overall thickness, because the thermoplastic liner is the corrosion barrier of the equipment.

2.4.4 Structural Laminate

The laminate construction shall comply with ASTM C-582. The design and fabrication of the structural laminate is to be in accordance with ASME RTP-1, ASTM D-3299, D-4097 and BS 4994 as applicable.

2.4.5 Exterior Laminate

The exterior laminate and any additives or gel coat shall be as specified and agreed upon between Composites USA and customer.

2.5 Accessory Items

Materials of construction for accessory items such as fasteners, gaskets, lugs, braces, brackets, etc. shall be as specified.

3. WELDING

3.1 Welder Qualification

All welders must successfully pass the minimum requirements for the weld integrity tests, per ASTM C-1147 and BS 4994 Section 1.3, as is applicable. Any welder who has not been actively welding for a period of 2 months shall be re-tested to assure the required skill level.

3.2 The welding procedures are as specified in BS 4994.

3.2.1 Seam preparation consists of beveling the sheet at approximately 45o, with the bevel on the side from which the welding will be done. The bevel should end with 1/32" (0.75mm) of sheet thickness unbeveled.

With fabric or glass backed sheet, the sheet backing must be cleared from the weld area, so that none of the fibers will contaminate the weld. This must be kept to a minimum, unless a fabric or glass backed cap strip is to be used. When using a backed cap strip, the backing can be removed 1/2 the width of the cap strip on each side of the weld. The seam to be welded will have a 1/32 " (0.75mm) gap left between the two parts to assure a good penetration root weld.

3.2.2 Dual laminates should always be welded from the outside, if the sheet is 0.090" (2.5mm) or less and if the diameter does not allow for access. The welds shall be placed on flats and away from corners, whenever possible as shown as preferred fabrication in BS-4994 Section 18.4.1. This places the seams outside of the high stress areas, and allows for better welds. Corners and connections where 90o turns are common shall be thermoformed, thus eliminating the requirement for welding in the corners where possible.

3.2.3 When doing fabrication involving thermoforming and hot gas welding it is necessary to perform the tasks at the proper temperature to assure quality fabrication. Table 1, gives a basic outline on temperatures to use for the different processes to be carried out, as well as the requirements for the type of gas to be used when welding.

3.2.4 An in house welder certification and evaluation program shall be maintained. This is to assure proficiency of technicians and the quality of the equipment produced. The performance of weld tests and evaluations in house shall be made with the use of precision testing equipment and conform to the appropriate ASTM or DIN standard listed in Section 1.3 of this specification.

3.2.5 After completion of the welding all the seams will be spark tested prior to cap strip being applied and retested before application of the bonding laminate. (See Test Procedures 6.1 - 6.1.3)

Table 1

 
OF
/
OC
PVC
CPVC
PP
PVDF
PVDF

AS

ECTFE
ETFE
FEP
PFA
Welding

Temp*
 
475
/
245
520
/
270
555
/
290
600
/
315
585
/
310
615
/
325
650
/
342
725
/
405
761
/
405
Forming

Temp

 
200
/
95
250
/
120
300
/
150
335
/
175
325
/
162
350
/
178
365
/
185
550
/
287
575
/
302
Inert
Gas
 
No
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
No

* Temperature measured 3/16" (5 mm) in front of welder nozzle.

3.3 Nozzles and Manways

3.3.1 Fabrication of nozzles using sheet material is to be in accordance with Sections 3.1 through 3.2.5.

3.3.2 Flange face liner shall be of one piece, full face or stub end with a backup ring, construction for nozzles up to and including 30" diameter, 150# ASA B16.5 dimensions. The flange or stub end face being thermoformed so that the connection weld to the nozzle neck takes place in the neck, as shown in Figure 1.

3.3.3 The preferred method of connecting the nozzle to tank or vessel wall is by thermoforming in such a way that the weld takes place in the nozzle neck, as shown in Figure 1. This method normally takes place after the structural wrap of the vessel body or head has been finished.

3.3.4 The minimum size for nozzles fabricated and installed per 3.3.2 & .3 is 2". Nozzles smaller than 2" or threaded connections will require welding on the inside and outside without a cap strip, per BS 4994, as shown in Figure 2. The use of a fabric or glass backed cap strip to the coupling, above the weld bead, is to allow for the RTRP laminate to bond to the fitting.

4. RTRP FABRICATOR QUALIFICATIONS

Fabricators shall meet the minimum requirements for lay up and secondary bonding physical properties as outlined in ASME RTP-1 and BS 4994 as are applicable.

5. TOLERANCES

The tolerances governing the liner, the structural and the overall for the equipment shall be governed by ASME RTP-1 and BS 4994 standards as are applicable.

6. TESTING

The Composites USA Vessel Inspection Report shall be used for documenting final product quality. This report meets the requirements of ASME RTP-1 and BS4994.

6.1 Spark Testing

6.1 Spark testing with a hand held high-voltage, high-frequency probe. The voltage shall be set at a range of 10,000 volts for welds, which do not have a cap strip, and 20,000 volts for welds, which do utilize a cap strip.

6.2 If a weld fails to pass the spark test it must be repaired. The repair procedure consists of the following: Grind out the pinhole and a minimum of 1" on either side of the failed area. Re-weld, then re-test the affected area. Install the cap strip, if applicable, then re-test again. A final spark test shall be performed after the hydrostatic test (if required) has been completed.

6.3 Test certificates shall be issued upon the satisfactory completion of the required tests, per ASME RTP-1 and BS-4994, Section 32.

6.2 Visual Inspection

Visual inspections are to be carried out in accordance with ASME RTP-1 and BS 4994 as is applicable. Visual examination shall be required prior to the bonding laminate being applied. After the bonding laminate has been applied and again prior to the application of any gel coat, after the structural laminate is finished. The Visual inspection of the liner is required. Special attention must be focused on the weld seams and the thermoformed parts, for charring or cold welds and for thinning or stretching during the thermoforming.

6.3 Dimensional Checks

Dimensions shall comply with the requirements set out by ASME RTP-1 and BS 4994 as is applicable. Dimensional checks of the liner prior to overlay must take into account the shrinkage of the RTRP and this must be designed into the fabrication of the liner.

6.4 Hydrostatic Testing

6.1 When required, shop hydrostatic testing of dual laminate equipment will be completed as noted in the Composites USA, Inc. proposal and as agreed with by the customer.

6.2 A final spark test shall be performed after the hydrostatic test has been completed.

6.3 Test certificates will be issued upon the satisfactory completion of the required tests, per BS-4994, Section 32.

Composites USA, Inc.
One Peninsula Drive, North East, MD USA 21901
Tel: 1-410-287-2700 Fax: 1-410-287-5222
www.compositesusa.com
Home | About Us | Products & Services
Quality | Field Services
Contact Us