Wear-Resistant Round Tube and Glass

Michel Tube wear-resistant tubes are produced in different lengths and are generally used as wear protection for straight tube runs. Especially when conveying highly abrasive materials (glass reinforced, mineral filled, hard granulate and so on), switching to fully wear-resistant tubes in the critical areas is recommended; the service life is extended considerably compared with 1.4301 stainless steel.

The standard lengths are 500 mm and 1500 mm, and they are available in an outside diameter range of 40–76.1 mm and in wall thicknesses of 1.5 / 2.0 mm. Special sizes are produced on request.

Why wear is a problem

Glass fiber, mineral filled and hard granulate abrade the tube wall from the inside like sandpaper. A standard tube can wear through within a few months with these materials. The hole usually goes unnoticed at first; false air enters the line, conveying efficiency falls and the problem is looked for not in the tube but in the pump.

Why glass tube is used

Glass is more resistant to wear than steel and in addition lets the flow inside be seen. A blockage, material build-up or an interruption in the flow is noticed without dismantling the line. Because of its fragility it is preferred not in places with a risk of impact, but in controlled environments and at points where observation is needed.

Where it is positioned

The whole line does not need to be wear-resistant; the cost rises unnecessarily. The critical points are:

• Elbow outlets — the area where wear is fastest
• The first straight meter after an elbow — the material continues to advance pressed against the wall
• The section after branch points — the flow bears on the wall as it is redirected

For turns, wear-resistant elbows, and for branch points, wear-resistant fittings, are chosen on the same logic.