Victaulic
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Victaulic pipe jointing system is designed for jointing steel, copper and stainless steel pipes. The system is primarily used to install fire protection systems (risers, sprinkler pipework etc.) and building services pipework - heating, chilled water, condensor, hot and cold water, potable water.
The system is also widely used for industrial, petro-chemical, pharmaceutical, utilities, oilfield and mining applications.
The joint consists of two or more housings, a pressure responsive gasket, and nuts and bolts. The metal housing mechanically joins the two pipes together by locating into grooves, which are either cut or rolled into the pipe ends. This provides full end load restraint on the pipe joint while at the same time allowing some flexibility, which can be used to cater for thermal movement, misalginment, curved pipe runs etc., and eases installation of the pipework and fittings.
The gasket design is such that the system pressure helps seal the gasket onto the pipe, the greater the pressure the greater the sealing of the gasket. Similarly with vacuum systems, the gasket pressure will increase with negative pressure.
There are a variety of gasket materials to suit a wide range of fluids and media. The standard gasket for water services is grade "E", EPDM.
Groove ended fittings and valves are also available to provide a complete piping system.
The idea for the Victaulic joint was first conceived during the First World War by the Royal Engineers as a quick and easy method of jointing pipe.
The company that worked closely with the War Department of England to develop piping systems for hydraulics was named the Victory Pipe Joint Company after the coupling it had engineered — known as the “victory joint” from early military uses. In 1925, the Victaulic Company – named by combining the words “victory” and “hydraulic” – was formed to market the concept of mechanical joining to the commercial piping industry. The company is presently headquartered in Forks Township, outside Easton, Pennsylvania.
An early user of the system was The London Hydraulic Power Company, replacing old and installing new pipework with the Victaulic joint.
