PCA (Pipeline Condition Assessment) Group began, as a business unit within Tubemakers Water, in 1996 to provide expert consultancy services to Australian Water Industry. Initially, the group extensively utilised intelligent pig technology from Canada, and successfully assessed approximately 25km of cast and ductile iron water and sewer mains. Later the group expanded its technology offerings, based on experience prior to the formation of the group.
Since then the group has specialised in the condition assessment of pressurised water and wastewater mains, with a particular emphasis on buried ferrous metal mains, and has operated as a separate profit centre within major international businesses including Tyco Flow Control and Earth Tech Engineering. Today it is a Division of ADE Consulting Group Pty Ltd.
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PCA’s experience in this field has remained unmatched by any other service provider in Australia and has conducted genuine condition assessment (not leak detection on reticulation pipes) on thousands of kilometres of water mains in Australia and overseas. It is unique in operating as both a Consultant and Contractor.
Since its formation, PCA has trialed a number of techniques for assessing the condition of water mains and has during that time continued to develop and refine its approach. PCA has arguably grown be one of the leading world experts in the condition assessment of pressurised water mains.
Phone 1300-796-922 I Email: info@ade.group
DUCTILE IRON PIPES
1976
Ductile Iron Pipes Tubemakers Yennora
Ductile Iron is a cast iron in which graphite is present as round “balls” or spheroids – hence, the alternative name of spheroidal graphite cast iron. It is more “steel-like” with its mechanical properties, exhibiting some degree of ductility and toughness.
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The pipe is also manufactured by pouring cast iron into water-cooled steel mould, producing a white cast iron, which requires further annealing. Large diameter pipes can be produced using sand moulds.
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The pipes are invariably thinner than grey cast iron pipes, spun factory-lined, and protected with a range of external coatings, depending upon which standard they were manufactured to.
Ductile Iron Microstructure
Simulated spheroid of graphite under stress
1949
First Commercial Ductile Iron production
