Thinking about adding pipe supports to your piping system? First, ask yourself one key question: “What material will serve my system the best?”
If you’re considering metal pipe supports, read on. We’ve laid out the ins and outs of metallic pipe supports and broken down exactly how you can use them to improve your piping system’s performance.
Wondering why metal is such a popular material in the piping world? It all comes down to strength. In pipe supports, metal is an advantage because it features a combination of five specific strength qualities:
Tensile strength measures how well a material performs when you try to stretch it. Chewing gum has a low tensile strength. Metals, however, tend to have extremely high tensile strength, which means they’re less likely to be pulled apart and break in high-performance systems.
Basically, compressive strength is how durable a material is when it is pressed together. Because metal has a high compressive strength, it is usually a good option if you have to stack massive pipes on top of it. Case in point: pipe supports, such as ProTek Flat Plates, that can withstand thousands of pounds of pressure.
Yield strength measures a material’s ability to keep from permanently bending and being damaged after flexing. It is a key quality for supports such as threaded rods that need to absorb movement without snapping.
Impact strength describes how well a material can take a hit without breaking. Diamond isn’t as valuable as steel in the world of construction because of its low impact strength. Supports that use high-quality steel, such as VibraTek Hold Down Clamps, can take a punch without budging.
In piping systems that are exposed to extreme temperatures or in those that have awkward designs, metal pipe supports may be your most practical option. For example, composite pipe shoes are durable, but they generally start having performance issues when temperatures jump above 400 degrees. Alternatively, metallic T-slides are able to withstand extreme heat without breaking down.
For all of metal’s unique strengths, there are also weaknesses. Here are the biggest setbacks that metallic pipe supports are up against:
Naturally, metals are vulnerable to oxidation and rust. Bare carbon steel surfaces can corrode quickly if they aren’t protected from grime, salt-heavy air, or moisture.
Galvanic corrosion is an electrochemical reaction that occurs when dissimilar metals are connected. Essentially, during this corrosion process, one metal pulls electrons from the other, leaving the more basic metal weak or destroyed.
Metal is conductive, so heat will jump across metals when pipes are uninsulated. This can cause ice formation in cold piping systems or energy loss as heat runs out of pipes into surrounding metals.
Metal is hard and stiff, and it can turn into a weapon under the right circumstances. In systems with high vibrations, unrestrained pipes can bounce and pound on surrounding surfaces if they don’t have something to cushion the blow.
Anyone who has heard a car’s muffler scrape on pavement understands the painful destruction metal has on other high-friction objects. Unprotected metal can pound against surrounding surfaces and wear down.
Don’t let the disadvantages of metallic pipe supports scare you off just yet. There are three simple ways to overcome the inherent problems of metal:
APP may be known for our composite products, but we understand the value of well-crafted metallic supports. Here are a few metallic supports that we offer:
If you need to anchor a section of pipe to prevent direct movement, metallic pipe restraints are a solid option. If you’re worried about friction wear, you can also use supports with vibration-absorbing liners.
Pipe shoes elevate pipes and lift them off of support structures. Some metallic options include standard T-slides, pre-insulated shoes, and bolt-on metallic shoes.
If you need to support suspended piping, metallic pipe hangers will be lifesavers. Metallic hangers and attachments, such as rods, eye nuts, and turnbuckles, make it possible to secure piping that can’t rest directly on I-beams.
We can help you find the right pipe support for your next project, and we’re happy to do custom fabrication. Contact us today to get started on your next project.