EBAA Iron Marks 25 Years Of Innovative MEGALUG®

The MEGALUG®, an innovative joint restraint developed and introduced by EBAA Iron, Inc., in the U.S. in 1984, has become an industry preference in its 25 years of widespread use on water and wastewater pipelines and systems.

The MEGALUG Series 1100 by EBAA Iron made its debut at a meeting of the American Water Works Association in Dallas in 1984. It provided a reliable, easy-to-install mechanical joint restraint for ductile iron pipe. Through five evolutions EBAA Iron has continued to improve the MEGALUG and maintain its industry leadership.

"The MEGALUG greatly increased the use of joint restraints in the U.S. after it was introduced in 1984," Earl T. Bradley, president of EBAA Iron, said. "The industry had been rather static, but the MEGALUG was easier to install and performed more reliably. We are proud to observe 25 years of service as a pioneer in the water works industry."

The EBAA Iron product effectively and economically restrains water and wastewater pipe above or below ground in residential and industrial settings in cities across the U.S. The MEGALUG restraints replace external restraints such as cumbersome concrete thrust blocks and corrodible metal tie rods to create a quicker, safer and more economical installation. It is used in a variety of applications, including valves, hydrants and pipe, subject to hydrostatic pressure.

Major testing laboratories have approved the MEGALUG. Also, in 1997 EBAA Iron used an 80-ton motor crane to lift a 25-ton D7 Caterpillar Track Type Tractor that was suspended by a MEGALUG Series 1100 on a 12-inch ductile iron pipe. The restraint has also been tested to 700 PSI.

The MEGALUG installs with an ordinary wrench and provides resiliency and deflection to the pipeline design. It is constructed of ASTM A536 ductile iron, it is available in sizes 3-inch to 48-inch, and it has a heavy-duty, thick wall design.

Evolutions of the MEGALUG include adapting it for PVC pipe, adding traceability, producing it in multiple sizes, incorporating it into a harness, and coating it with EBAA's MEGABOND coating system.

An identification number on each EBAA product allows it to be traced to the day, foundry and shift of its origin with the accompanying physical and chemical attributes. The unique coating applied in EBAA's modern facilities, which is electrostatically applied and heat cured, provides corrosion, impact and UV resistance.

According to a regional product manager for EBAA Iron, "Engineers and project managers wanted a simple-to-install device for PVC in the 1970s and 1980s after PVC began to be used in the municipal water works market. EBAA produced a version of the MEGALUG for PVC, especially as they began to use larger sizes. The benefits become even more apparent in the larger sizes."

Fully compliant with the "buy American" requirement of §1605 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the MEGALUG and all other joint restraint products manufactured by EBAA Iron are manufactured in the United States.

About EBAA Iron
EBAA Iron is a member of the American Water Works Association and the American Foundry Society, and its products meet AWWA standards. EBAA was founded in 1964 by Earl C. Bradley. Bradley moved the plant to Eastland from Dallas in 1973, and the company added facilities in Cordele, Ga., in 1985 and Albany, Tex., in 1996. Each day EBAA Iron ships thousands of products.

Bradley, who led the company until his death in 2005, received the Gold Water Drop Award from the AWWA and the Freedom Founders Award from the AFS for his leadership and longtime service to the industry.

SOURCE: EBAA Iron Sales, Inc.