NATURAL

The NATURAL range

The reference pipe for water distribution

Resulting from our ongoing research into zinc-based coatings to improve the protection of buried networks of iron pipes, this PAM range has become embedded all over Europe and is at the heart of the hydraulic networks heritage. The NATURAL range benefits from BioZinalium® external protection technology, which ensures very long durability in underground conditions. The internal lining is composed of centrifuged cement mortar, which offers excellent hydraulic conditions as well as an effective protection against the aggressiveness of water. NATURAL fittings are also delivered with a blue epoxy coating, applied by cataphoresis or by powder coating.

Composed of pipes with standard joints, associated with RAPID or UNIVERSAL joint fittings, the NATURAL range comes highly recommended by pipe-laying contractors as it makes installation extremely easy. The small/medium diameter pipe system dedicated to potable water applications is available between 80 and 1000 mm. They are suitable for both transport and distribution of water in urban, semi-urban and rural areas. 

Benefits

• Innovation: the NATURAL range combines past experience with advanced technologies to ensure the robustness of ductile iron pipes, their ease of laying and speed of installation, reliable operation and long-term durability.

• External protection: identifiable by its blue colour, the NATURAL pipe benefits from BioZinalium external protection technology to ensure extreme durability in underground conditions. BioZinalium is composed of two layers: a layer of zinc-aluminium 85/15 alloy, enriched with copper, with a minimum surface density of 400g/m², applied by spraying molten metal onto the surface of the iron, using an electric arc spray gun, from ZnAl (Cu) alloy wire, and a protective layer of Aquacoat (semi-permeable), a water-based blue acrylic of average thickness 80 microns applied using a spray gun.

• Extra protection: while protecting against localised bio-corrosion, for extreme conditions, the NATURAL range comes equipped with special coatings for additional corrosion protection:

  • NATURAL PUR: internal protection for the transport of aggressive waters (hardness <5°F); and
  • NATURAL TT PE: external protection for pipe laying in aggressive terrains.

• Internal performance: the internal lining of the NATURAL range is composed of centrifuged cement mortar, which offers excellent hydraulic performance as well as effective protection against the aggressiveness of water due to the smooth internal surface improving the water flow and reducing head losses.

• Flexibility: the UNIVERSAL automatic joint and RAPID mechanical joints guarantee watertightness and can tolerate a high degree of angular deflection to negotiate large radius curves without the need for fittings and adapt to layout changes. They can also absorb ground movement or expansions of small amplitude. Self-anchored pipe and fitting joints can be used to produce self-retrained ductile iron pipelines while the UNIVERSAL range is available for extreme network operating pressures.

• Safety: with a safety coefficient greater than three and PFA values always exceeding 40 bar in sizes DN 60 to 300 and more than 30 bar in sizes DN 350 to 600, the pipes and fittings are highly resistant to internal pressure. The mechanical strength of the ductile iron pipes also minimizes the trench bottom, backfill and surrounding work so that pipe laying operations are ultimately safe and economical.   

• Eco-friendliness: in line with our commitment to sustainable development and in compliance with UK and International standards, the BioZinalium finishing coat is produced using an emulsion of water-based acrylic PVDC resin that does not contain organic solvents or Bisphenol A (BPA). In fact, it contributes to reducing emissions of volatile organic compounds into the atmosphere.

Technical Details

• Diameter range: DN80– DN800 (DN900–DN1200 on consultation
• Push-fit joint:
  • Non restrained (Rapid)
  • Self-restrained (Rapid Vi)

More information on all jointing systems available

Coatings

• Pipes (2 options):
  • DN80-DN300: BioZinalium, Zn-AL (Cu) alloy 400g/m2 + water-based paint (Aquacoat)
  • DN350-1200: Zn-AL alloy 400g/m2 (Zinalium) + blue epoxy
• Fittings: Blue epoxy 250μm

More information on Special Coatings here

Linings

• Pipes (2 options):
  • System CL: Blast furnace cement
  • System XL (DN80-DN700 only): Cement mortar + epoxy seal coat (for soft water areas only)
• Fittings: Blue Epoxy 250μm

Key Features & Benefits

• Ductile iron material
• Mechanically robust
• Highly resistant to damage
• High safety margin to operate at up-rated pressures
• Long term reliability
• Coating suitable for more than 90% of UK soils
• Eco friendly: recycled and infinitely recyclable
• Self-anchoring gasket available for restrained pipes application
• Up to 5 degrees angular deflection

Standards & Approvals