Mechanical pipe-joining systems company Victaulic’s Vic-Press system joins pipe in a matter of seconds, providing an industrial-grade solution for quick and reliable joining of small-diameter piping systems, and has received a positive response since being introduced onto the market.

Vic-Press is the industry’s first American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Schedule-10S-pipe-sized press-to-connect system designed for off-the-shelf American Society for Testing and Materials A-312 Schedule 10S stainless steel pipe.

Vic-Press is used with standard Schedule 10S stainless steel pipe, which offers increased strength and durability. The pipe-wall thickness of ANSI Schedule 10S pipe is up to double that of light-wall tube. As a result, Vic-Press offers a superior life cycle, up to three times the end-load performance, up to twice the bend-load performance and up to 52% increased available flow. The solution also enables up to 23% less pressure drop for every 30 m of pipe compared with tube-sized systems, states the company.

“Owing to continued investment in research and development, customers in a range of commercial and industrial markets can rely on Victaulic as a single-source provider for all stainless steel pipe joining needs, from 15 mm to 600 mm,” says Victaulic regional manager South Africa Barry van Jaarsveld.

He adds that, with pressure tolerances of up to 3 450 kPa, Vic-Press exceeds ANSI class 150 standards. Vic-Press meets the American Society of Mechanical Engineers B31.1, 31.3 and 31.9 support requirements. The system is also ANSI/NSF 61-certified for potable water up to 82 °C. Vic-Press offers increased strength and durability with improved flow characteristics, compared with light-wall tube systems, safer, more efficient pipe assembly than welding, threading and flanging, and meets or exceeds industry standards.

“The Vic-Press system is quick, simple and safe to install. Pipe is cut to size and deburred, marked for visual verification and inserted into a lubricated coupling, fitting or valve. The Victaulic PFT510 handheld pressing tool is used to press the component onto the pipe-end, providing a positive mechanical interlock and creating a rigid, permanent, leaktight joint,” highlights Van Jaarsveld.

Every Vic-Press product is supplied prelubricated in a closed bag to maintain integrity throughout shipping and storage, ensuring seals are clean right up to installation, states the company.

In addition, a patent-pending press detection technology enables installers to confirm any unpressed joints as the system is filled. The Vic-Press system also requires 70% fewer working hours than welding to install and significantly reduces rework. No flame or arc is required, which reduces risk to workers and surroundings.

The Vic-Press system is available for 15-mm- to 50-mm-type 304/304L pipe and 316/316L pipe. Vic-Press products feature Grade ‘H’ HNBR gaskets, suitable for services up to 98 °C. Alternative materials, including ethylene propylene diene, fluoro- elastomer and silicone, are available for services up to 121 °C. Vic-Press is suitable for several types of wet and dry industrial applications, including potable water, oil, compressed air, lubricated air, noncombustible gases and general chemical services.

Since 1919, Victaulic has been the world’s leading producer of grooved mechanical couplings and pipe-joining systems. Used in the most demanding markets, Victaulic innovative piping technologies and ser- vices increase the work rate while increasing safety and ensuring reliability and greater efficiency. The company has 15 major manufacturing facilities, 28 branches and over 3 600 employees worldwide.

With more than 900 active global patents, Victaulic says its solutions are at work in 115 countries across diverse business lines, including oil and gas, chemicals, mining, power generation, water and wastewater treatment, military and marine, as well as commercial building and fire protection.

Victaulic mechanical pipe-joining systems can be found in projects as diverse as Boschman’s colliery and the Springbok water by-pass pipeline, both in Mpumalanga.

Victaulic provides sustainable solutions, is a member of the Green Building Council of South Africa and is also involved with the Building Research Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method and other international initiatives.