Thermoplastic Isolator (TPI)

Thermoplastic isolators (TPI) provide optimum support and eliminate pipe contact with the supporting steel. TPI is used as corrosion prevention between the steel pipe and steel pipe support.

Types & Sizes

General Information

Types of TPI

  • TPI White – Maximum Service Temperature 181°F
  • TPI Amber – Maximum Service Temperature 340°F
  • TPI Tan – Maximum Service Temperature 480°F

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General Dimensions & Specifications

View PDF Version of Thermoplastic Isolator (TPI)

PT&P’s TPI  – The Lowest Cost, Most Comprehensive Solution for Corrosion at Pipe Supports

PT&P has consulted with hundreds of customers on one of the most common problems for operating plants – corrosion at the point of contact between the steel pipe and the steel pipe support. As seen in Figure 1, a crevice is formed at the point of contact. When water accumulates in the crevice, the oxygenation level of the water at the surface is higher than the water at the depth of the crevice.

Figure 1 Crevice Corrosion

Crevice corrosion

PT&P has used its 40+ years of experience as a leader in pipe supports in designing our TPI solution to be the most effective and easiest to deploy solution in the market. Key advantages of PT&P’s TPI offering include:

Economical Pricing – PT&P’s TPI offering is priced to be highly cost-effective compared to other providers

Highly Customizable – Our unique manufacturing approach allows us to customize far more easily than any other provider. Customization options include height/width/length of TPI, hole sizes, hole locations, and special shapes. *View more on manufacturing

Complete Assemblies – PT&P reduces complexity in product selection by offering complete assemblies rather than just individual components. We are the only provider of TPI type of solutions that is not a “point solution” provider. Also, we are the ONLY global provider to integrate vibration pads and TPI into our assemblies. If you wanted to purchase a configuration for a clamp with both TPI equivalent and vibration pads, you would have to develop the design, source the materials with requests for customization, and assemble it yourself.

 

Assemblies that can be purchased include:

U-Bolts – including the addition of vibration pads (optional) – see Figure 2

Clamps – PT&P’s entire range of clamps can be integrated with TPI Clips as well as vibration pads – see Figure 3

Hold-Downs – PT&P’s entire range of Hold-Downs can be integrated with TPI clips and rods as well as vibration pads – see Figure 4

Figure 2 – PT&P Super U-Bolt with TPI and Vibration Pad
Figure 3 – PT&P Pre-Assembled Pipe Clamp with TPI Clips and Vibration Pad
Figure 4 – PT&P Pre-Assembled Hold-Down Pipe Clamp with TPI

U bolt tpi vp
U-Bolt with TPI & Vibration Pad

Ptp pipe clamp with vibration pads
Pipe Clamp with Vibration Pads

Hold down clamp tpi 173636
Hold-Down Pipe Clamp with TPI

 

Extreme Loads and Temperature Requirements – PT&P has extensive experience supporting custom requirements. We can develop solutions for unique scenarios by selecting different materials and developing a custom design. *View more on Finite Element Analysis (FEA)

Proven Performance – the performance of PT&P TPI is comparable to or superior to other providers. We have supplied solutions to the largest Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) in the US as well as many major Oil and Gas and Chemical operating companies.

 

For PT&P U-Bolts, Clamps, and Hold-Downs, all items in the PT&P catalog can be ordered with TPI. However, the addition of TPI will alter the clamp or hold-down sizing requirement. PT&P simplifies the process by taking care of all the work in terms of designing the appropriate clamp sizing to accommodate the TPI and vibration pad if that is added.

PT&P needs the following information for completed assemblies:
U-Bolts – specify U-Bolt figure and whether a vibration pad should be added *View Super U-Bolts
Clamps – specify clamp type, pipe size and whether a vibration pad should be added
Hold-Downs – specify pipe size and Hold-Down type and whether vibration pad should be added

TPI can also be ordered stand-alone. It is also offered in strip format, clips, or pre-configured to be part of a U-Bolt. TPI Strips are offered in the sizes shown below. PT&P will cut to length per the customer request with lengths up to 10 feet.


Figure 5 PT&P TPI Strip Options

 

TPI WidthTPI HeightTPI Length
3/4”5/16"Customer Specified up to 10 ft
1"7/16"Customer Specified up to 10 ft
1-1/2"11/16"Customer Specified up to 10 ft
2"1"Customer Specified up to 10 ft
Custom per RequestCustom per Request

PT&P options for TPI clips are shown in Figure 5. For clips, customers need to specify the width of clamps.


Figure 6 PT&P Clip Options

 

Pipe SizeClips Per ClampWidth
3"4Customer Specified
4"4Customer Specified
6"6Customer Specified
8"8Customer Specified
10"8Customer Specified
12"8Customer Specified
14"8Customer Specified
16"10Customer Specified
20"10Customer Specified
24"12Customer Specified
26"14Customer Specified
28"14Customer Specified
30"16Customer Specified
36"16Customer Specified
>36"Custom DesignedCustomer Specified

For TPI U-Bolts Strips (e.g. PT&P does not supply U-Bolt, just TPI), Figure 6 shows PT&P options.


Figure 7 TPI U-Bolt Strip Options

 

Pipe SizeBolt DiameterTPI LengthTPI Hold Dia.TPI WidthTPI Height
1/2"1/4"2-1/2"3/8"3/4"5/16"
1/2"3/8"2-1/2"1/2"1"7/16"
3/4"1/4"3"3/8"3/4"5/16"
3/4"3/8"3"1/2"1"7/16"
1"1/4"3"3/8"3/4"5/16"
1"3/8"3"1/2"1"7/16"
1-1/4"3/8"3-1/2"1/2"1"7/16"
1-1/2"3/8"4"1/2"1"7/16"
2"3/8"4-1/2"1/2"1"7/16"
2-1/2"1/2"5"5/8"1"7/16"
3"1/2"6"5/8"1"7/16"
4"1/2"7"5/8"1"7/16"
5"1/2"8"5/8"1"7/16"
6"5/8"9"11/16"1"7/16"
8"5/8"11"11/16"1"7/16"
10"3/4"13-1/2"7/8"1-1/2"11/16"
12"7/8"16"1"1-1/2"11/16"
14"7/8"17"1"1-1/2"11/16"
16"7/8"19"1"1-1/2"11/16"
18"1"21-1/2"1-1/8"1-1/2"11/16"
20"1"23-1/2"1-1/8"1-1/2"11/16"
24"1"27-1/2"1-1/8"1-1/2"11/16"
28"1"31-1/2"1-1/8"1-1/2"11/16"
30"1"33-1/2"1-1/8"1-1/2"11/16"
36"1"39-1/2"1-1/8"1-1/2"11/16"
Custom on Request

Installation of TPI:

TPI can be placed or attached to structural steel by three different methods.
•  Self-tapping screw or bolting
•  Double-sided adhesive tape
•  With u-bolt

There is a total of 3 different types of TPI available based on thermal properties.
•  TPI White – Maximum Service Temperature 181°F
•  TPI Amber – Maximum Service Temperature 340°F
•  TPI Tan – Maximum Service Temperature 480°F

TPI Types

TPI (Thermoplastic Isolator): Properties & Various Grades
TPI WhiteTPI AmberTPI Tan
Property ValueASTM TestImperialImperialImperial
DensityD792 0.0516 lb/in30.0458 lb/in30.047 lb/in3
Tensile StrengthD63811,000 psi17,000 psi16,000 psi
Tensile Modulus of ElasticityD638450 ksi500 ksi630 ksi
Elongation (At Break)D63830%60%40%
Flexural Modulus of ElasticityD790450 ksi500 ksi600 ksi
Flexural StrengthD79013 ksi20 ksi25 ksi
Compressive StressD69516 ksi22 ksi20 ksi
Coefficient of FrictionQTM 550070.250.420.32
IZOD Impact (Notched)D2561 ft-lb/in0.5 ft-lb/in 0.6 ft-lb/in
Rockwell Hardness D785M 88M 115M 105
Maximum Service Temperature(Long Term)181ºF340ºF480ºF
Melting PointD3418347ºF410ºF644ºF
Coefficient of Linear ExpansionE83147 µin/in/ºF31 µin/in/ºF-
Flammability RatingUL94HBV-0V--0
Electric StrengthD149450 V/mil830 V/mil480 V/mil

 

The tables below show a comparison of TPI versus a leading competitor.

Comparison between PT&P’s TPI White VS Leading Competitor
Property ValueASTM TestTPI - WhiteCompetitor
DensityD792 0.0516 lb/in30.0509 lb/in3
Tensile StrengthD638 11,000 psi 9,400 psi
Tensile Modulus of ElasticityD638 450 ksi 380 ksi
Elongation (At Break)D638 0.330-60%
Flexural Modulus of ElasticityD790 450 ksi 400 ksi
Flexural StrengthD790 13 ksi 13 ksi
Compressive StressD695 16 ksi 15 ksi
Coefficient of FrictionQTM 55007 0.250.25
IZOD Impact (Notched)D256 1 ft-lb/in 1 ft-lb/in
Rockwell Hardness D785 M 88 M 88
Maximum Service Temperature(Long Term) 181ºF 181ºF
Melting PointD3418 347ºF 329ºF
Coefficient of Linear ExpansionE831 47 µin/in/ºF 54 µin/in/ºF
Heat Deflection Temperature, 264 psiD648 250ºF 220ºF
Flammability RatingUL94 HB HB
Electric StrengthD149 450 V/mil 420 V/mil
Result from above comparison, both products are equivalent

 

Comparison between PT&P’s TPI Amber VS Leading Competitor
Property ValueASTM TestTPI – AmberCompetitor
DensityD792 0.0485 lb/in3 0.0462 lb/in3
Tensile StrengthD638 17,000 psi 16,500 psi
Tensile Modulus of ElasticityD638 500 ksi 500 ksi
Elongation (At Break)D638 0.630-60%
Flexural Modulus of ElasticityD790 500 ksi 500 ksi
Flexural StrengthD790 20 ksi 20 ksi
Compressive StressD695 22 ksi 22 ksi
Coefficient of FrictionQTM 55007 0.420.42
IZOD Impact (Notched)D256 0.5 ft-lb/in 0.5 ft-lb/in
Rockwell HardnessD785 M 115 M 112
Maximum Service Temperature(Long Term) 340ºF 340ºF
Melting PointD3418 410ºF 410ºF
Coefficient of Linear ExpansionE831 31 µin/in/ºF 31 µin/in/ºF
Heat Deflection Temperature, 264 psiD648 400ºF 400ºF
Flammability RatingUL94 V-0 V-0
Electric StrengthD149 830 V/mil 830 V/mil
Result from above comparison, both products are equivalent.

 

Comparison between PT&P’s TPI Tan VS Leading Competitor
Property ValueASTM TestTPI - TanCompetitor
DensityD7920.047 lb/in30.047 lb/in3
Tensile StrengthD63816 ksi16 ksi
Tensile Modulus of ElasticityD638630 ksi500 ksi
Elongation (At Break)D6380.40.2
Flexural Modulus of ElasticityD790600 ksi1000 ksi
Flexural StrengthD79025 ksi25 ksi
Compressive Stress D69520 ksi 20 ksi
Coefficient of FrictionQTM 550070.320.4
IZOD Impact (Notched)D2560.6 ft-lb/in1.0 ft-lb/in
Rockwell Hardness D785M 105M103
Maximum Service temperature(Long Term)480ºF480ºF
Melting PointD3418644ºF644ºF
Coefficient of Linear ExpansionE831--
Heat Deflection Temperature, 264 psiD648320ºF320ºF
Flammability RatingUL94V--0V--0
Electric Strength D149480 V/mil-480 V/mil-
Result from above comparison, both products are equivalent.

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