With years of experience and the best talent behind us, we have become one of the UK’s foremost tubing experts. It is our job to supply specialist services to adapt tube. Their purpose is to create products with features you can’t find on standard sections. For example, we excel at tube ring rolling. With it we can bend tubes into circular designs, creating rings, spirals, coils, and more.

Metal has a fantastic reputation. The majority of individuals view it as a sturdy substance and believe it is invincible. However, the level of strength and wear resistance can vary between metals. Plus, a number of specific things can damage materials. For example, metal-to-metal contact can severely damage tubing set ups. However, if you are making use of these systems, you can stop the issue. We are going to use this post to explain the options that you have.

Why does the contact happen?

The problem happens for various reasons. Typically, it occurs because of unrestrained tubes, where you leave them sitting on other tube, supports, or beams. In other instances, you may pair tubes with fittings created with dissimilar metals. Whatever the case, when metals rub on each other, it can produce galvanic corrosion. Other potential problems include destructive friction and thermal expansion.

As for how you can stop this, again there are a number of options.

Isolation

One solution would be to isolate your tubing. If you add isolators, you can lay a physical buffer down between the tubes and surrounding metals. Some isolator examples include slide plates, flat plates, and wear pads. These all offer metal tubes a protective layer that will be capable of absorbing friction. Come to us if you need tube ring rolling services.

Elevate your tubing

Another option would be elevating the tubing. You are able to do this using supports or restraints that can lift and hold the tube in position so there is no metal-on-metal contact. This can also redirect movement.

In some scenarios, a restraint that is incorrectly installed will lead to point loading. What happens is it pins down your tube without allowing it to move. Sadly, that is capable of trapping vibrations. It then drives them into one single point and can cause issues. However, if you install a tube restraint strategically, it will encourage axial movement. It will spread vibrations over the surface in a less harmful, more natural way.

Additional measures

One last option would be to safeguard your existing tube supports. You can often do more to defend each support against metal-on-metal contact. For example, heavy duty tube restraints like hold down clamps should include liners. This shall stop tubes from scraping against the clamp’s metal. Liners introduce insulation to tubing and absorb vibrations.

What’s more, if you are employing compact, unlined restraints like U-bolts, you can use thermoplastic coating. This shall help to protect against metal-on-metal contact. One other possibility would be to choose the right finishes, such as galvanisation.

We create the finest products with tube ring rolling

At Multiform Tubes Engineering Ltd, we have a team of top tier technicians who can produce the best products. Thanks to tube ring rolling we are able to create versatile components for various industries.

So, if you are interested in working with our people and gaining first class items, please reach out to us.