Ductile Iron Pipes
Ductile iron pipes are zinc sprayed to provide corrosion protection. Over the last 40 years in Europe, the ductile iron pipe has progressively replaced the grey iron pipe. One of the main factors which will determine the life of ductile iron pipe is its ability to resist corrosion. To guard against risk of failure from exterior corrosion the manufacturers have introduced a metal sprayed zinc coating in immediate contact with the outside surface of the pipe. This is then being supplemented by bituminous paint and a polyethylene sleeving. Zinc coatings of up to 200g/m2 are now being applied, which are well within the European norm, only asking for a minimum of 130g/m2 of zinc. Other coatings of zinc/aluminium alloys are also commonly applied.
