PA 12: A Manufacturer's Perspective

摘要

Continental Industries has supplied mechanical fittings to the natural gas distribution industry since 1960. In 1969, we developed a complete plastic piping system that included polyethylene pipe, fusion fittings, and mechanical fittings. Continental Industries no longer produces polyethylene pipe but we have become the market leader for mechanical fittings. The original mechanical fittings were molded from PVC but now, fittings molded from PA 11 are much more common. Continental has used PA 11 since 1995 and we have supplied PA 11 fittings for PA 11 piping systems operating at pressures up to 200 psig. Due to the success of PA 11, and the high cost to install and maintain steel piping systems, several manufacturers of PA 12 are entering the market. Continental has sampled PA 12 resins from four manufacturers to determine how the product compares to PA 11. Our main concerns are availability, process capability and performance of the mechanical fitting. This paper will provide information on Continental's mechanical fittings, test methods, code requirements and the results of our PA 12 evaluation.