Aluminium continued pipes

Despite all the environmental debates, PVC is still one of the most important commercially used plastics. Rigid PVC accounts for the major share of PVC production and is used primarily in the construction industry for the manufacture of pipes, fittings and profiles the outstanding price performance of this material results in the continual displacement of wood and aluminium. 

The Roxel blast pipe for the Thermopylae motor on the Rapier missile can be taken as an example. The blast pipe comprises a chromic acid anodised aluminium outer component with a Durestos inner liner. It acts as a conduit for the gases, generated by the burning propellant, to atmosphere. Initially, the assembly was bonded with an acetal phenolic resin but in order to obtain a continuous bond which would meet the C-Scan criteria and, more importantly, allow the glueline to adsorb the stresses generated a compliant, relatively low modulus, two-part polyurethane structural adhesive was successfully used in place of the phenolic. 

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