ASBESTOS CEMENT PIPES AND

ITS APPLICATIONS
Presented by Zainulabdin Brohi
Roll no:k21CE061
 Asbestos:
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].

Fig.1 Asbestos fiber Fig .2 fig.3

 Types of asbestos:
◦ Asbestos refers to six unique miners

Fig.4 Types of asbestos

◦ 1.4.1. Natural occurrence

◦ Asbestos minerals are widespread in the environment, and are found in many areas where
the original rock mass has undergone metamorphism (ATSDR, 2001; USGS, 2001).
Examples include large chrysotile deposits in the Ural Mountains in the Russian
Federation, in the Appalachian Mountains in the USA, and in Canada (Virta, 2006). They
may occur in large natural deposits or as contaminants in other minerals (e.g. tremolite
asbestos may occur in deposits of chrysotile, vermiculite, and talc). The most commonly
occurring form of asbestos is chrysotile, and its fibres are found as veins in serpentine rock
formations. Asbestiform amphiboles occur in relatively low quantities throughout the
earth’s crust and their chemical composition reflects the environment in which they form (
Virta, 2002). Although most commercial deposits typically contain 5–6% of asbestos, a few
deposits, such as the Coalinga chrysotile deposits in California, USA, are reported to
contain 50% or more (USGS, 2001; Virta, 2006).
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 fibers are capable of being woven into fabrics.
 It is highly durable and strong.
 M.p above 2700 F.
 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 the 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 boxes, covering for magnetic
coils, etc.
 It is mixed with other materials to be used as brake linings for automobiles and such uses [4].
Asbestos Cement pipes:
INTRODUCTION Asbestos cement pipe, also commonly known as transite pipe, is a cement liquid transportation vessel
that is tabular in shape. The asbestos in the 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].
◦ COMPOSITION OF ASBESTOS CEMENT PIPES
◦The material used in the manufacture of the asbestos cement building and sanitary pipes and
pipe fittings shall be composed of an inert aggregate consisting of clean to asbestos fiber,
including other suitable fibers cemented together by ordinary 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 that are
compatible with asbestos cement may be added.
◦NOTE.-In the case of Portland pozzolana cement and Portland slag cement, the addition of
pozzolanic materials shall not be permitted[7].
Manufacturing 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 fibers. For the 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 fibers 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 crushing strengths.

The asbestos cement pipes of 200mm and 250mm diameter with nominal length up to four meter are commonly used.
◦

Fig. Asbestos cement pipe making machine

Pipe joints
◦ There are two types of the joints for Ac pipes
Cast iron detachable joint ,and
Ac coupling joint
1-Cast iron detachable joints This consists of two cast iron flange, a cast iron central collar and two rubber rings along
with the set of nuts and bults, for a particular joint.

Fig. Cast iron detachable joints

AC coupling joint:
◦ This consists of an Ac coupling and three special rubber rings .The pipes for these joints have three special rubber
rings .The pipes for these joints have Chamfered ends.The rubber rings positioned in the grooves inside the coupling then
grease is applied on the chamfered end and the pipe and coupling is pushed with the help of a jack against the pipe . The
mouth of the pipe then placed in the mouth of the coupling end and then pushed so as to bring the two chamfered ends
close to each other .

◦ fig. All tyoes of the joints

Advantages of Ac 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
3.TRANSPORT.
◦ 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.
◦ Fig . Ac pipe used for water supply
◦

◦ References:
◦ [1]: Engineering Materials, by Er. K Rajput (2014 4th edition) PP-303.
◦ [2]: Building Materials ,by PC Varghese PP-218.
◦ [3]: Engineering Materials, by Surendra Singh(1987 5th edition) PP-250.
◦ [4]: Building Materials, by PC Vargese PP-219.
◦ [5]: Building Materials, by ML Gambhir and Neha Jamwal (2011) PP-538.
◦ [6]: from Corrosionpedia.com, by Cory Janssen and Terry Freeman (2013).
◦ [7]: IS 1626 (Part 1) AC Pipes and pipe fittings (1994).
◦ [8]: Concrete Manual, by U.S Department of interior Bureau Reclamation (8th Edition). Published by: Water
Resources technical Publication 1975, page No: 347
◦ [9]: By Joseph Rhoads (1949) PP-16.
◦ [10]: Advantages and disadvantages of AC pipes by Engineering Articles.com
◦ [11]: Journal Article, Applications of AC pipes by Philip H. Perkins.
◦ Published by: Wiley. Vol. 50, No:2 (February 1958), pp. 257-262 (6 pages)
◦ Fig. 1.0 Mesothelioma.com.
◦ Fig. 2.0 IndiaMart .com.
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