Trelleborg's New Seal Design Reduces Risk Of Concrete Ingress For Integrated Pipes

Trelleborg’s pipe seals operation has developed a new integrated concrete pipe seal design – the Forsheda 165 - which reduces the risk of concrete ingress during pipe manufacturing and improves sealing performance.

Using a co-extrusion method, Trelleborg’s new seal features a slurry lip made of soft rubber – 50 International Rubber Hardness Degrees (IRHD) - for improved flexibility. Similarly, the enhanced profile of the seal ensures a more secure fit against the pallet, removing the risk of leaking concrete and unnecessary pallet cleaning. The forming parts of the seal are made from hard 70 IRHD rubber to increase stability and grip.

Julian West, Product Manager at Trelleborg’s pipe seals operation, says: “The correct design of an integrated seal within a concrete pipe is vital for its installation into the pipe and its placement into the ground too. If the seal is not designed to the right rubber stiffness, it can compress under pressure when being fixed onto the pallet. Similarly, if it is not stable, the vibration that is applied to the concrete as the mold is filled can cause the seal to be displaced, or even lift off the pallet.

“Once the seal is in place within the pipe, it cannot easily be moved or replaced. It is therefore vital that the seal performs exactly as required, first time, to avoid unnecessary loss of time and money associated with pipe scrappage.”

The Forsheda F165 seal provides benefits for pipe manufacturers, installers and specifiers. It is easier to stretch and accurately position onto the pallet, reducing the risk of compression or bouncing. Similarly, the rubber’s optimized stability during concrete vibration ensures more accurate socket dimensions and lower scrap rates.

The optimum jointing force of the F165 seal makes it ideal for mechanized pipe laying. This improves health and safety onsite as fewer installers are required to be in the trench during installation. In addition, the seal offers near zero push-back and excellent jointing even at low temperatures.

West continues: “We are aware of the fact that the performance of the seal can also be affected during packaging and delivery. To prevent the seal warping or misshaping, we only pack them once they have reached a suitable temperature. We also limit the number of seals per box to ensure they arrive ready for pipe production in the same condition as they left the factory.”                 

Trelleborg’s new F165 seal complies with EN 1916, EN 681-1 and German legislation, QR4060. Made from EPDM rubber, as opposed to SBR rubber, Trelleborg’s F165 integrated seal offers much better long term longevity.

About Trelleborg’s pipe seal operation and Trelleborg Group
Part of the wider Trelleborg Industrial Solutions Business Area of Trelleborg Group, Trelleborg’s pipe seal operation is a world leading supplier of new and rehabilitation sealing solutions for concrete, plastic pipes and manhole pipes used for water, sewerage and drainage. It delivers continuous innovation to customers across the globe, with a logistics and sales network spanning Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East, Africa, North America and South America. Comprising the most advanced polymer technology, the high performance level of its seals ensures fulfilment of the highest possible reliability standards. For more information, visit www.trelleborg.com/Pipe-Seals.

Trelleborg is a world leader in engineered polymer solutions that seal, damp and protect critical applications in demanding environments. Its innovative engineered solutions accelerate performance for customers in a sustainable way. The Trelleborg Group has annual sales of about SEK 22 billion (EUR 2.48 billion, USD 3.29 billion) in over 40 countries. The Group comprises five business areas: Trelleborg Coated Systems, Trelleborg Industrial Solutions, Trelleborg Offshore & Construction, Trelleborg Sealing Solutions and Trelleborg Wheel Systems. In addition, Trelleborg owns 50 percent of TrelleborgVibracoustic, a global leader within antivibration solutions for light and heavy vehicles, with annual sales of approximately SEK 16 billion (EUR 1.78 billion, USD 2.36 billion) in about 20 countries. The Trelleborg share has been listed on the Stock Exchange since 1964 and is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm, Large Cap. For more information, visit www.trelleborg.com.