Pipe Supports & Reinforcemnts
Corrosion's Impact, Causes, and Prevention Methods
Steel is an alloy with carefully balanced chemical properties, forming some of the strongest compounds known. Because of its durability, pipes made from steel are among the most reliable and cost-effective solutions for transporting water, oil, and gas. However, corrosion—the gradual degradation of metal—can be influenced by environmental conditions, either accelerating or slowing its effects.
According to the AAMP Cost Study, the annual cost of pipe corrosion in the U.S. is an estimated at $276 billion. This figure does not account for the financial and human risks associated with pipeline failures, including injuries and fatalities.
Given these stakes, extending the lifespan of pipes by mitigating environmental impacts is a top priority for ensuring safety, efficiency, and long-term cost savings.
Moisture, salt, and oxygen are common natural accelerants of corrosion, but their effects can be mitigated through protective coatings and chemical inhibitors.
Metal-to-metal contact, particularly in high-movement or vibratory environments, can severely impact pipe integrity. The resulting friction accelerates wear, weakens structural stability, and heightens the risk of corrosion. Implementing proper insulation, support systems, and anti-corrosion treatments is crucial for reducing damage and prolonging the lifespan of piping infrastructure.
These high-risk areas are particularly vulnerable to corrosion, leading to costly repairs and ongoing maintenance expenses. Implementing wear pads and U-bolts offers a highly cost-effective approach to corrosion prevention. Additionally, clamps and hangers play a crucial role in stabilizing piping systems by minimizing movement and vibration, further reducing the risk of structural degradation.
Support Types and Functionality
Protek Wear Pads & Flat Plates
ProTek Composite Wear Pads and Flat Plates provide a reliable barrier against metal-to-metal contact in piping systems, effectively isolating pipes from I-beams, guides, and concrete supports. These high-risk areas are particularly vulnerable to corrosion, leading to costly repairs and maintenance. Engineered for durability, ProTek wear pads offer a cost-effective solution to minimize corrosion damage and extend the lifespan of your piping infrastructure.
Benefits Include:
- Low cost of installation: no welding, hot work permits or highly skilled personnel required
- Product minimizes maintenance and operational costs throughout the lifetime of the piping system
- Wear Pad inside diameter (ID) precisely matches outer diameter of pipe
- Wear Pad ID is pre-roughened for exceptionally high
epoxy-towear pad bonding strengths as verified by ASTM D5528-01
Protek Coated U-Bolt
ProTek U-Bolts merge the durability of traditional u-bolts with advanced polymer technology to provide superior pipe restraint. Designed to prevent metal-to-metal contact and minimize abrasion from pipe movement, the ProTek coating offers exceptional strength, withstanding high compressive loads and harsh environmental conditions. Its low coefficient of friction ensures a secure yet smooth cradle for the pipe, enhancing long-term reliability and protection.
Benefits Include:
- Eliminates metal to metal contact that could damage
pipe coatings and lead to corrosion - Coating has a low coefficient of friction to allow
pipe movement - Low cost of installation
- Product helps minimizes maintenance and operational
costs throughout the lifetime of the piping system - Can be used on any type of pipe.
Vibratek Clamps
The VibraTek Hold Down Clamp is the ultimate solution for mitigating vibration-related issues in piping systems. Designed with proprietary VibraTek liner, it effectively absorbs vibration from compressors and reciprocating equipment, extending the lifespan of your piping infrastructure.
To further enhance performance, we integrate specialized fiber-backed Teflon into the VibraTek lining, reducing friction while maintaining superior vibration-dampening properties. Beyond the VibraTek series, we offer customizable clamp linings tailored to your needs, including urethane, neoprene, and sodium-etched Teflon—ensuring limitless flexibility in material selection.
Benefits Include:
- Prevents unwanted and unaccounted for stress
to piping and structural components - Liners are molded to the clamp’s inside diameter,
ensuring consistent thickness and secure bond - VibraTek does not harbor moisture due to its
hydrophobic and non-porous properties, significantly
reducing the occurrence of corrosion - HB-Teflon does not delaminate due to the strong
mechanical bond created by fibers infused
during manufacturing
Cyrotek Pipe Shoes
The CryoTek Pipe Shoe is a durable, non-metallic pipe support engineered for extreme temperature environments. Designed to deliver exceptional reliability between -320°F and +400°F, it is the ideal choice for elevated and cryogenic piping systems in applications such as gas liquefaction, LNG terminals and carriers, and ethylene plants.
Benefits Include:
- Composite VEFR technology does not promote
temperature transfer, preventing ice formation
and fluctuation in system temperature - Eliminates steel shoe multi-layer insulation requirement,
which can delaminate over time - Resin system is UV resistant, does not support heat combustion and can be combined with an intumescent
coating to resist temperatures of 2,000°F for up to two hours - Installation takes a fraction of the time of traditional pre-insulated metallic supports
- Lightweight. Can be installed and/or transported without the use of heavy-lift equipment
- Safely encapsulates the fragile insulation used in cryogenic piping systems, preventing costly repairs
Aerotek Cradles
The AeroTek Cradle provides a cost-effective solution for safeguarding pipe insulation against support point abrasion in both hot and cold service environments. Crafted from fiber-reinforced vinyl ester resin, it is precision-molded to fit the exact dimensions of the insulation system. The composite cradle is securely fastened to the piping assembly at support locations using stainless steel bands, which are recessed into grooves on the outer surface to eliminate direct contact with the underlying support. Rigorous full-scale laboratory testing has demonstrated minimal wear on the cradle, even after simulated multi-year service.
Benefits Include:
- Eliminates the need for pre-insulated pipe supports
- Does not require a break in insulation like traditional
welded or clamp on supports - Compatible with any type of load bearing insulation.
- Eliminates corrosion issues associated with traditional
metallic supports - Lightweight for ease of installation
Slide Plates
ProTek Slide Plates are designed to minimize friction and wear in structural components at expansion and contraction joints. They provide reliable support for heavy piping, equipment, bridges, and other structural elements. Available in various materials and sizes, ProTek Slide Plates can be tailored to meet specific application requirements, ensuring durability and efficiency in demanding environments.
Benefits Include:
- Product prolongs the life of your structural components
- The metallic and PTFE combination delivers robust support, while providing a low friction surface for
the object to move along - Sodium-etched PTFE is used for optimal adhesion, which prevents delamination
- Custom manufacturing to best meet your needs