Mechanical Technology July 2016

⎪ Structural engineering materials, metals and non-metals ⎪

Polyester fibre for cured-in-place pipe liners Fibertex KAVI felts – manufactured from polyester fibre – form the basis for effective coating, impregnation and installation of cured- in-place pipe (CIPP) liners, for highly efficient ‘no-dig’ pipeline renovation projects.

The high tensile strength of the liner is achieved using a sandwich structure and scrim combinations in certain products in the KAVI range. There are two locally produced Fibertex KAVI nonwoven fabrics in the range – Fiberliner 030 and Fiberliner 060 that complement the European options – KAVI 660, KAVI 6805 and KAVI 960 – and these are all available in standard 100 m length rolls. The local Fibertex plant in Ham­ marsdale, KwaZulu Natal, manufactures an extensive range of geosynthetic prod- ucts for use in diverse sectors, including mining, civil engineering, construction, waste and environmental fields. The company also offers solutions to auto- motive, filtration, furniture and flooring industries. q

“ F ibertex KAVI multiple layer felt liners make it possible to repair even heavily damaged pipelines using the ‘no-dig’ method, with numerous advantages over conventional open trench pipe repair procedures,” says Lance Woolley, business develop- ment manager, Fibertex South Africa. “With these cured-in-place liners, there is no need for excavation during pipeline repair work and thus inconvenience to traffic, production, business or residents is minimised. “These environmentally-friendly nee- dle-punched nonwoven felts are designed to restore full or partial pipeline bearing capacity, improve hydraulic pipeline pa- rameters, increase flowrate and ensure perfect pipeline tightness. “Fibertex felts, which are resistant to abrasion and chemical agents, are designed to later accept the saturation of

epoxy-based polyurethane resins to en- sure efficient performance and extended service life from the cured pipe liner. Fibertex KAVI needle-punched fabrics also ensure elasticity of the repaired pipe- lines, providing a smooth interior, with no joints. Contamination is minimised and cracks in the yielding soil are prevented.” A uniform felt weight and density is designed to meet exact application re- quirements, as well as the diameter and shape of the pipe to be repaired, includ- ing ovoid, arched or circular cross sec- tions. Felts made for building up layers are produced to precise width and length specifications, with uniform thickness. Benefits of polyester fibre-based Fibertex cured-in-place technology also include providing at least 50 years of durability, biaxial stiffness; made to exact specifications; and suitability for inversion, pull-in and inflate installations.

Fibertex KAVI felts, before and after: Manufactured locally from polyester fibres, Fibertex felts form the basis for effective cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) liners.

9091 - EMA 2016 VIS HP AD CROWN PUBLICATIONS 180X130_PATHS.indd 1

2016/06/20 9:11 AM

Mechanical Technology — July 2016

35