Merchant

The material selection for passenger ships depends on specific operational needs. Below are commonly chosen plastics and their unique advantages:

• Polyethylene (PE): Valued for its elasticity and corrosion resistance, PE is versatile across various ship systems including ballast water, water treatment, exhaust gas scrubbers, and cooling systems for fresh and seawater. Its flexibility helps absorb torsional and vibrational stresses, enhancing vessel performance.
  
• Polybutene (PB): Recognized for its exceptional creep resistance and chemical durability, PB is ideal for applications such as drinking water systems, compressed air lines, and chilled water circuits. It ensures water purity without imparting taste or contaminants, meeting stringent hygiene standards for potable water.
• Polypropylene (PP): Due to it's high chemical resistance, the two variants of PP systems, Random Copolymer (PP-R) and Homopolymer (PP-H), are favored for drinking water applications and black and grey water applications on board. It offers high flexibility, which is crucial for adapting to torsional and bending stresses in ship structures.
  • Drinking Water Solution
  • Black and Grey Water Solution
• PVC Materials: PVC-C (Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride) and PVC-U (Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride) are also used depending on specific application needs. PVC-C offers enhanced temperature and chemical resistance for demanding marine environments, while PVC-U excels in mechanical strength for rigid piping systems.
• HEAT-FIT Fire Retardant System The HEAT-FIT fire retardant system is highly insulating and robust, protecting the medium-carrying inner pipe (PE100) from fire. The flame-retardant coating reacts upon exposure to flames, forming a protective layer that shields the pipe from heat and fire. 

In addition, advanced solutions like multilayer pipes and fittings, as well as pre-insulated pipes such as COOL-FIT (pre-insulated PE), deliver added benefits. Multilayer designs optimize performance under varied conditions, while pre-insulated pipes enhance energy efficiency and environmental resilience.

Each plastic material undergoes rigorous testing and certification to meet stringent safety and performance standards essential for marine applications. Their lightweight nature, ease of installation, and resistance to corrosion collectively contribute to enhanced efficiency and durability in maritime operations.

• View our application matrix to find the best material fit.
• Speak to our experts for a personal consultation.

Yes, GF Piping Systems offers piping solutions that comply with FTP Code Part 5 and Part 2 requirements. Specifically, SeaCor (PVC-C) meets these standards and is approved by the US Coast Guard (USCG) for non-essential applications in marine environments. This approval ensures that Seacor piping maintains the necessary safety and performance standards outlined in the FTP Code, making it suitable for various marine applications where compliance is crucial.

• Read more about SeaCor for additional information about the system, its certifications, specifications, and applications
• Contact our expert team for detailed technical support.
  

Plastic piping systems generally exhibit good corrosion resistance, making them suitable for many chemical transport applications on board ships. However, the suitability depends heavily on specific factors such as the working conditions (e.g., temperature, pressure) and the concentration of the media being transported.

• For precise recommendations tailored to your requirements, please contact our chemical department for expert consultancy.
• Visit our chemical resistance tool to explore detailed information on the compatibility of our plastic piping systems with various chemicals.

The lightweight design of plastic piping systems contributes to weight reduction of the ship, which helps to improve fuel efficiency and increased passenger capacity. Additionally, plastic piping systems can be designed with smaller dimensions and prefabricated, allowing for space optimization and flexibility in installation.

For detailed information on pipe support types and recommended distances, please refer to the GF Technical Handbook. This resource provides comprehensive guidelines tailored to various piping systems and applications. Alternatively, you can contact our experts for personalized assistance and recommendations based on your specific project requirements.

• Explore the GF Technical Handbook for guidance on optimizing pipe support strategies and ensuring efficient installation and maintenance of your piping systems.

Due to their lightweight nature, flexibility, easy jointing technologies, and prefabrication options, plastic piping systems offer ease of installation. Faster installation and simplified maintenance can improve project timelines and overall efficiency for shipyards, reducing labor hours and straightforward integration with other systems.

Plastic pipes, fittings and valves resistance to corrosion and long-term durability can contribute to higher construction quality and reliability. The improved operational performance can reduce rework, warranty claims, and post-delivery issues, leading to higher customer satisfaction and the reputation of shipyards.

Marine pipes and fittings made from thermoplastic or multilayer composites require minimal maintenance and offer long-term durability. They do not require regular painting or coating to prevent corrosion, reducing maintenance costs and downtime. The smooth inner surface of plastic pipes also minimizes the risk of fouling and scaling, further facilitating maintenance procedures.

Shipyards can leverage the expertise and comprehensive support provided by GF Piping Systems. By offering a wide range of lightweight materials, automation solutions, jointing and tools, and services, the collaboration can help you overcome technical challenges, ensure compliance, and streamline the procurement and logistics processes.

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Thanks to their lightweight characteristics and the use of renewable and recyclable raw materials (i.e. bio-attributed PVC), GF Piping System’s solutions have a reduced environmental impact than metal solutions. By providing Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) we enable transparent planning and help ship owners and operators to reduce GHG emissions during operation.

• Learn more about our Sustainability efforts
• Product LCAs and EPDs
• Try our Carbon Calculator to compare the carbon footprint of plastic and metal piping systems