The metal known as copper readily oxidizes when exposed to moist ambient air forming an egg-shell-thin yet highly protective green patina on its surface. The best example of this over time is the Statue of Liberty, located in the New York Harbor for nearly 200 years. Her &#;-inch thin original skin has not diminished over her significant time in the harsh marine conditions, mainly due to the naturally occurring patina.
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The simple fact is - oxidation is not rust. Rust is a destructive form of metal disintegration over time. Oxidation happens and then remains stagnant and protective of the substrate to which it is attached unless ambient conditions become more corrosive than oxidation can resist.
While the green patina of copper offers a highly desired visual appeal, the same oxidation process upon the surface of a Ductile iron pipe results in varied shades-of-cinnamon splotchy appearance upon its entire surface. This annealing oxide layer on DI pipe and fittings, much like the patina on copper, is so thin it&#;s barely measurable yet serves to prevent deeper pitting or degradation of the metal in standard ambient conditions.
The problem is, unlike copper, it's not attractive to the eye, and therefore, all Ductile iron pipes are coated with an NSF-61 certified asphaltic-based paint known as sealcoat. Water-based sealcoats are common today and are much friendlier to the environments of the foundry and the external world.
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DI pipe may be ordered as either Pressure Class (rated as Class 150 &#; 350 psi) or Special Thickness Class pipe (Class 50 &#; Class 56). Class is based on the thickness and weight of the pipe.
Many parts of the country have started using Pressure Class pipe as their standard specification for ductile iron pipe. Pressure Class pipe is thinner and uses less iron, therefore reducing the cost of the pipe. In addition, the pipe classifications are more in-line with the pressure ratings offerd in some alternate materials. Pressure Class rated DI pipe will withstand the stated working pressure while retaining all the added benefits of being made of ductile iron.
There are other regions of the country, however, that still rely on the proven history of the heavier classes, commonly referred to as Thickness Class. Job requirements such as depth of cover, trench type, soil conditions, etc. will help determine what pipe class will be best suited for a specific project. Additionally, the certain product applications, such as flanged pipe, will determine the class. The minimum wall thickness needed for flange fabrication is thickness Class 53.
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