ASBESTOS CEMENT PIPES AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

Asbestos is an acid-proof and fire-proof natural fibrous mineral substance of different colors. It
is a silicate of calcium and magnesium (CaSio4.3MgSio3). It also contains small amounts of iron
oxide and alumina [1].

The naturally occurring asbestos fiber can be divided into two groups.

 The first group is readily subjected to acid attack and consists mainly of Chrysolite asbestos
which is allowed to be used only for industrial purposes.
 The second group is acid-resistant and comprises of asbestos-like Amosite asbestos and
Crocidolite(BLUE) asbestos, the second group not allowed nowa days for use as they are
said to be related to diseases of the lungs like lung career and mesothelioma if the fiber get
into the human system. Most of the countries banned asbestos products. Even though
Indian and some other countries nowadays uses only chrysolite asbestos for industrial
purposes.it is advisable to use asbestos cement products with caution and sufficient care
[2].

PROPERTIES OF ASBESTOS
 It has low water permeability, is vermin proof and resists rot.
 It is brown, grey and white in color.
 It is good for heat sound and electric insulation.
 It is resistant to acids and alkalies .
 Its fibres are capable of being woven into fabrics.
 It is highly durable and strong.
 Its melting point is 1200-1 50 degrees.
 It acts as reinforcing material when mixed with ordinary Portland cement[3]
Uses of asbestos

The following are some of the uses of asbestos:-

 It is mixed with cement to prepare asbestos sheets, asbestos(Rainwater pipes) etc.in

Building, these are much cheaper than plastic pipes.
 It is mixed with bitumen to prepare felts for use as damp-proof course.
 It is used to form asbestos paint.
 As a heat insulator it is used for hot water pipes, boilers, furnaces, fireproof cloths,
ropes, etc.
 As an electric insulator is used for liming fuse boxes, switch box, covering for magnetic
coils, etc.
 It is mixed with other material to be used as brake linings for automobiles and such uses
[4].

Fig. 1.0
Asbestos –Cement
Asbestos cement is made by adding 10 to 15 percent asbestos fibre to a mixture
of Portland cement and water. Beside from its superior durability and
performance, asbestos-cement requires comparatively little energy manufacture
for its. Moreover, the principal raw material, Portland cement, is available
almost any where in the world, which means that user countries may only need
to import appropriate asbestos fibre, generally chrysotile fibre.

Types of Asbestos-Cement

There are many varieties of asbestos-cement. The three most commonly used are:

 White Asbestos (chrysolite)-cement: It is most commonly used in domestic appliances

and buildings.
 Brown asbestos (amosite)-cement: It is most commonly used in thermal insulation
sprayed applications, and insulation boards.
 Blue Asbestos (crocidolite)-cement: It is commonly used for insulation laggings and
sprayed coatings.

However, type of asbestos cannot be identified by its color as it is often incorporated

into another products. Over 90 percent of the world production of Chrysotile is used
today to make chrysotile-reinforced cement. It has become an indispensable building
material used around the world.
The asbestos-cement is predominantly used in the form of flat sheets, corrugated sheets
and roof coverings in residential, commercial and industrial construction. It is also used
in making pipe for variety of high and low pressure applications, including water
distribution, sewer and irrigation system. Chrysotile pipes can also be used as capable
sheaths or as ducts for all types of industrial use [5].
 ASBESTOS CEMENT PIPES
INTRODUCTION Asbestos cement pipe, also commonly known as trasite pipe, is a
cement liquid transportation vessel that is tabular in shape. The asbestos in asbestos
cement pipe is used to enhance its mechanical properties. Commonly used in the 20 th
century, asbestos cement pipe has been mostly discontinued due to health concerns [6].

FIG.2.0

COMPOSITION OF ASBESTOS CEMENT PIPES

The material used in the manufacture of the asbestos cement building and sanitary pipes and
sanitary pipes and pipe fittings shall be composed of an inert aggregate consisting of clean to
asbestos fibre , including other suitable fibres cemented together by oerdinary Portland
cement, conforming to IS 269:1989 or IS8112:1989 or IS 12269:1987 or Portland slag cement
conforming to IS 455:1989 (part 1) : 1991 or IS 1489 (PART 2) : 1991 or rapid hardening Portland

Cement conforming to IS 8041 : 1990. Pozzolanic materials , pigments and fillers which are the
compatible with asbestos cement may be added.

NOTE.-In case of Portland pozzolana cement and Portland slag cement , addition of pozzolanic
materials shall not be permitted[7].
 MANUFACTURE OF ASBESTOS CEMENT PIPES

Asbestos cement pipe is manufactured from an intimately mixed aqueous slurry of 80_8
percent Portland cement and 15-20 percent mixture of relatively long and medium grade
chrysotile asbestos fibres. For preparation of slurry, the raw material are mixed dry to ensure
uniformity. The water is added and mixed just before the slurry enters the machine. In the pipe
machine , the slurry is dewatered using a rotary sieve cylinder and a continuous felt pics up
thick mix to produce a very thin layer of asbestos cement which is wrapped around a polished
steel mandrel under high pressure until a pipe with the desired wall thickness is produced. After
initial hardening of pipe the mandrel is extracted or withdrawn and the pipe is cured by passing
through a tunnel like low temperature oven followed by immersion in or spraying with water,
or by autoclaving. The encapsulated asbestos fibres act as a reinforcing material to form an
intrinsic part of the cement matrix.

After curring the ends of the pipe lengths are cut and finished to receive couplings that are
produced by cutting larger diameter pipes into sections. The pipes are tested for straightness ,
water tightness , water absorption , acid reactivity ,and bursting and transverse curshing
strengths.

The asbestos cement pipes of 200 and 250mm diameter with nominal length up to
four meter are commonly used. These lightweight pipes are used as casing for the bore wells as
an inexpensive alternate of MS and PVC pipes[8].

ASBESTOS CEMENT PIPE JOINTS:-Joints in asbestos cement pipes shall be made with prepoured
couplings. Couplings shall be of the tapered type or with sleeve coupling sealed with rubber
rings and of the same composition as the pipe. All joints between asbestos cement pipe and
metal pipe shall be made by means of an adapter coupling calked as per required in paragraph.

USES OF JOINTS.

 SLIP JOINTS.- In drainage piping, slip joints, other than exapansion joints, shall be
used only in the waste pipe between the trap seal and fixture , Slip joints shall not
be used on water piping.
 GROUND JOINTS .-Ground joints brass connections which allor adjustment of tubing
but provide a rigid joint when made up shall not considered as slip joints.
 Unions.-unions of the sewer side of the trap shall be ground faced and shall not be
concealed or enclosed.
 EXPANSION JOINTS.-expansion joints of approved type may be used where
necessary[9].

ADVANTAGES OF ASBESTOS CEMENT PIPES

 1. SMOOTH
2. LIGHT IN WEIGHT
3. CAN EASILY BE CUT, FITTED AND DRILLED
4. DURABLE AGAINST SOIL CORROSION

DISADVANTAGES OF ASBESTOS CEMENT PIPES

1. BRITTLE CANNOT WITHSTAND HEAVY LOADS

2. THEY ARE EASLY BROKEN IN HANDLING AND
TRANSPORT[10].

APPLICATIONS OF ASBESTOS CEMENT PIPES

Asbestos cement pressure pipe has been used for water supply works for
many years in various parts of the world. If the class of pipe is properly
selected in relation to the operating conditions, these pipes give very
satisfactory service.

THE usual corrosion problems both internal and external which arise with
the use of steel and cast iron pipe do not occur with asbestos cement pipe, It
is possible , however , that, if there is a very high sulfate concentration in
the ground in which the asbestos cement pipe is laid , sulfate attack may
occur. External bituminous coating is helpful in such situations . In Kuwait *
on the Persian Gulf, where corrosion of steel and cast-iron pipe created a
very serious problem, asbestos cement pipe was used, with the expectation
that it would not be affected by sulfate attack. Because of the interior
smoothness and resistance to corrosion of the pipe, it maintains its initial
hydraulic characteristics over a long period[11].