Application of physical simulation at study of pipe production processes

Physical experiments allow to obtain maximum information on a studied process at minimal cost, ensuring its higher accuracy comparing with data, obtained by mathematical simulation and avoiding risks, which can occur at industrial testing of new technological modes. Results of studies of deformation in the process of pipes production by extrusion presented. The studies were accomplished at laboratory test units, developed by specialists of the laboratory of drawing and extrusion of JSC “RusNITI”. One of the basic problems at pipes production by extrusion is ensuring minimal possible wall non-uniform thickness. It was noted that the relation between plunger die moving speeds during sleeve pressing-out and immediate pipe extrusion has a significant effect on pipe wall non-uniform thickness. Computer simulation of the pipe extrusion process, accomplished by application QForm program shown that minimal values of wall non-uniform thickness corresponded to relation abovementioned speeds as 0.5–0.8. To check the data, a physical simulation of extrusion process of lead cylinder samples, having outside diameter of 18.94 mm and wall thickness 5.19–5.32 mm was accomplished. For the extrusion, a universal servohydraulic system of dynamic test Shimadzu Servopulser was used. Within the physical experiment a dependence was established between pipe wall non-uniform thickness on relation between speeds of pressing-out and extrusion. The revealed regularity was confirmed during pilot production of a pipe lot at the 55 MN force extrusion line. Another physical simulation of extrusion of 10.0×2.0 mm pipe-samples made of C1 grade lead was accomplished with one- and twothread helical ribbing of internal surface. For its accomplishment an experimental module was designed and manufactured. It was established that rotation speed of the extrusion mandrel had no significant effect on extrusion force. Metallographic studies shown that the extrusion mandrel rotation speed contributes to considerable increase of pipes surface hardness and obtaining finer grain comparing with the classic extrusion method. The technical ability of pipes production with internal helical ribbing by hot extrusion method was confirmed. The results of the study became a base for elaboration of a technology of pipes production at Volzhsky pipe plant according to ТУ 14-3Р-157–2018 “Steel seamless hot-extruded pipes with helical ribbing of internal surface for steam boilers”. Results of physical simulation of pipe drawing process at self-adjusting mandrel with application of lubricant materials of various viscosity. The data obtained were used for elaboration of a technology for production of cold-deformed pipes with internal diameter of 6.0–12.0 mm at Sinarsky pipe plant.

Structure–Property Relationships in Bionanocomposites for Pipe Extrusion Applications

In this work, bionanocomposites based on different biodegradable polymers and two types of nanofillers, namely a nanosized calcium carbonate and an organomodified nanoclay, were produced through melt extrusion, with the aim to evaluate the possible applications of these materials as a potential alternative to traditional fossil fuel-derived polyolefins, for the production of irrigation pipes. The rheological behavior of the formulated systems was thoroughly evaluated by exploiting different flow regimes, and the obtained results indicated a remarkable effect of the introduced nanofillers on the low-frequency rheological response, especially in nanoclay-based bionanocomposites. Conversely, the shear viscosity at a high shear rate was almost unaffected by the presence of both types of nanofillers, as well as the rheological response under nonisothermal elongational flow. In addition, the analysis of the mechanical properties of the formulated materials indicated that the embedded nanofillers increased the elastic modulus when compared to the unfilled counterparts, notwithstanding a slight decrease of the material ductility. Finally, the processing behavior of unfilled biopolymers and bionanocomposites was evaluated, allowing for selecting the most suitable material and thus fulfilling the processability requirements for pipe extrusion applications.

Steel-Reinforced Polyethylene Pipe: Extrusion Welding, Investigation, and Mechanical Testing

This work presents extrusion welding with a square butt joint of V-shaped steel-reinforced polyethylene (SRPE) corrugated pipe. The SRPE pipe was welded in a single pass on the inside of the pipe. The welding temperature was controlled at 190°–200°C. The welding extruder was modified for controlling the travel speed and preheating conditions for welding. A high-density polyethylene (HDPE) rod was used as the welding filler metal, which was inserted into the extruder with a speed of 2.20 m/min. Welding progressed downhill from the overhead position with a travel speed of 3.0 cm/min. The effects of welding methods, with and without preheat conditions, on the weld quality were investigated by visual and radiographic inspections. From the results, the preheated welding condition showed complete fusion of the weld without any defects, while that of the nonpreheat exhibited a great number of voids inside the weld. The crystal structures of the preheated and nonpreheated welds were analyzed with an x-ray diffractometer and compared with the HDPE base material. From mechanical testing, the weld from the preheat condition showed a good ability to endure the tension force of 46 MPa and compressive stress of up to 0.41 MPa at 5%deflection. In addition, it was found the welded SRPE could tolerate hydrostatic pressure of up to 0.18 MPa without any water leakage when being used as a water-containing tank.