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  • Do You Have an Iron Deficiency? Considering Health Effects in Pipe Material Selection

    Do You Have an Iron Deficiency? Considering Health Effects in Pipe Material Selection

    By Roy Mundy, P.E., ENV SP, Assoc. DBIA   08/13/2020  In Environmental & Safety Products

    We in the United States are most fortunate, for the most part, to have access to safe, clean drinking water. Even when traveling, we are not hesitant to draw water from a hotel faucet to brush our teeth or even fill a glass to drink. This privilege is no accident.

  • Handling Ductile Iron Pipe: From Truck to Trench

    Handling Ductile Iron Pipe: From Truck to Trench

    By Dan Flaig   09/12/2020  In Installation Technical

    At McWane Ductile, we are proud to manufacture the strongest, most durable, and most flexible piping material available to the waterworks industry. Even with these great attributes, we still take great care when handling Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe). In this Iron Strong Blog, we’ll cover some key tips to safely handling your DI pipe once it arrives at your job site and throughout the construction or your pipeline project.

  • What are Some Top FAQs on Ductile Iron Pipe?

    What are Some Top FAQs on Ductile Iron Pipe?

    By Andrea Kubik   09/13/2021  In Installation Products Technical

    As a manufacturer of Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe), we often field questions from water professionals regarding DI pipe, its uses, and how to install it properly. We even receive numerous questions about alternate materials, their differences, their uses, and the best choice for the application. And of course, when you ask, we answer…honestly, even when the answer doesn’t include Ductile iron. In this Iron Strong Blog, we’ll cover a few of our frequently asked questions (FAQ) and provide some solutions. We will continue with this FAQ series in the upcoming months.

  • Why Does 3” and 4” Pipe Cost More Than Other Ductile Iron Pipe?

    Why Does 3” and 4” Pipe Cost More Than Other Ductile Iron Pipe?

    By Carrie Stephens   06/19/2020  In Products Technical

    A common question that many sales reps in the Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe) industry have heard over the years is, "Are you sure you’ve quoted the 3” and 4” pipe correctly?” Once that price is confirmed, the follow-up question from the customer is usually “Why in the world does it cost so much?” Well, there are many reasons for the higher cost, and in this Iron Strong Blog, we will offer some insight into that question. 

  • The Smoking Gun: Thermal Degradation of Plastic Pipes Linked to Drinking Water Contamination

    The Smoking Gun: Thermal Degradation of Plastic Pipes Linked to Drinking Water Contamination

    By John Johnson, ENV SP, NACE CT   07/30/2021  In Environmental & Safety Products

    As of October 2020, more than 47,000 wildfires have occurred across 36 U.S. states. Drought is a major factor, as a large portion of the West is currently experiencing the most severe level of drought, dubbed “exceptional drought” by the U.S. Drought Monitor. Humans cause the majority of wildfires with negligence such as unattended campfires, discarded cigarettes or arson, followed by natural causes such as unusually long-lasting hot lightning bolts. (U.S. Drought Monitor, 2012)

  • How Does Proper Bedding Allow a Pipe to “Sleep Well?"

    How Does Proper Bedding Allow a Pipe to “Sleep Well?"

    By Ken Rickvalsky, ENV SP, AMPP CT   01/22/2021  In Installation Technical

    Did you know the mattress industry is one of the oldest continuous industries in the world? The first mattresses were believed to have been manufactured in 37 BC in Persia. Today, more than 35 million mattresses are shipped world-wide to replace those that have been in service for an average of seven years. So, what does this have to do with Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe), you ask? This article will discuss how setting improper bedding in a pipe trench can cause sleepless nights for the water company and its crews due to pipe failures, seemingly always at night — as it is my experience that most large main breaks typically occur after dark!

  • What is the Ultimate Pressure Capability of Class 52 Ductile Iron Pipe?

    What is the Ultimate Pressure Capability of Class 52 Ductile Iron Pipe?

    By Mike Palermo   05/21/2021  In Products Technical

    Cast iron pipe was introduced to the United States in 1816. Since then, numerous other piping materials have been offered and utilized. None were able to supplant cast iron as the leading performer until Ductile iron pipe became available. The introduction of Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe) to the marketplace in 1955 remains among the most significant advancements in the history of the pressure pipe industry. It was quickly recognized as a pipe material with all the established durability of gray cast iron, yet with added strength and resiliency from its innate and lasting flexibility. It was first used for special and severe conditions of high pressure, such as where water hammer and excessive external loads might have existed.

  • How Can Using Ductile Iron Pipe Save Money on a Water Utility’s Energy Bill?

    How Can Using Ductile Iron Pipe Save Money on a Water Utility’s Energy Bill?

    By Cole Mitcham, P.E.   10/22/2024  In Products Technical

    The choice of materials in water infrastructure is crucial in ensuring the system's durability and reliability and influencing operational costs. Water and wastewater treatment plants are typically the largest energy consumers for municipalities, accounting for 30 to 40% of total energy consumption. To protect their systems from overload, energy companies must implement rolling blackouts during extreme weather. This #IronStrong Blog discusses the benefits of using Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe) in your utility water system and how its key advantages can save you money compared to other materials.

  • How Does Ductile Iron Pipe Increase Energy Savings for a Water Utility?

    How Does Ductile Iron Pipe Increase Energy Savings for a Water Utility?

    By John Simpson P.E., ENV SP, AMPP CT   11/03/2022  In Products Technical

    Approximately 85% of a utility’s capital investment is underground. Since water and sewer infrastructure plays such a significant role in the total energy consumption of municipalities, more emphasis must be placed on energy savings when selecting pipe materials. This Iron Strong Blog will describe factors that affect energy cost at water utilities and how to save money.

  • What Are Some Common Misconceptions Associated with Ductile Iron Pipe?

    What Are Some Common Misconceptions Associated with Ductile Iron Pipe?

      12/04/2020  In Products Technical

    In 1492, Christopher Columbus was shocked when his ship made landfall in a land Europeans had never explored. Along the way, he proved that Earth isn’t flat after all. Right?

    Wrong: Despite a persistent legend, neither Columbus nor his Spanish patrons thought Earth was a finite plane instead of a round planet. That was thanks to scientists, philosophers, and mathematicians who, as early as around 600 B.C., made observations that Earth was round. Using calculations based on the sun's rise and fall, shadows, and other physical properties of the planet, Greek scholars like Pythagoras and Aristotle determined that the planet is actually a sphere.1

    So, what’s the point of today’s history lesson? It often reminds me that there are numerous myths associated with Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe), and in this Iron Strong Blog, we’ll list some of those ideas, provide factual data, and discuss why they are simply misconceptions.

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Latest Posts

  • UPDATED - Ductile Iron Pipe Versus HDPE - A Comparative Narrative
    UPDATED - Ductile Iron Pipe Versus HDPE - A Comparative Narrative By Ken Rickvalsky, ENV SP, AMPP CT 05/29/2025  In Comparisons Products Technical
  • How is Ductile Iron Resilient to Disruptive Events? Part II – DI Pipe & Wildfires
    How is Ductile Iron Resilient to Disruptive Events? Part II – DI Pipe & Wildfires By Jacob Lovin, ENV SP 04/22/2025  In Products Resiliency Technical
  • Crossing the Saugus River with Ductile Iron Pipe -  When, Why, Who, and How
    Crossing the Saugus River with Ductile Iron Pipe - When, Why, Who, and How By Jeff Houser 04/15/2025  In Installation Products Technical
  • Why Would High Temperatures Affect Piping Material Selection?
    Why Would High Temperatures Affect Piping Material Selection? By Scott Rhorick 03/25/2025  In Products Technical
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Products
  • Products
  • Ductile Iron Pipe
    • Tyton® Joint Pipe
    • TR Flex® Restrained Joint Pipe
    • Mechanical Joint Pipe
    • Mechanical Joint Lock Joint Pipe
    • Fabricated Flange and Wall Pipe
    • Ball and Socket Joint Pipe
    • Long-Span Pipe
    • Permaloy™ Pipe
    • Seismic Flex Coupling™
  • Gaskets
    • Tyton® Gaskets
    • Mechanical Joint Gaskets
    • Flange Gaskets
    • Sure Stop 350® Gasket
    • Specialty Gaskets Service & Usage
  • Fabrication
    • Fabricated Flange and Wall Pipe
    • Grooved Pipe
    • Welded Outlet Pipe
    • Thread-o-Lets
    • Weld-On Boss
  • Fittings and Accessories
    • Bronze Wedge
    • Cable Bond
    • Pipe Joint Lubricant
    • Mechanical Joint Accessories
    • Seismic Flex Coupling™
    • TR Flex® Accessories
    • TR Flex® Fittings
    • V-Bio® Encasement
  • Linings
    • Cement-Mortar Lining
    • Glass Lining
    • Protecto 401™ Lining
    • Ceramapure™ PL90 Lining
  • Coatings
    • Asphaltic Coating
    • Zinc-Coating
    • Ceramawrap Coating
    • V-Bio® Enhanced Polyethylene Encasement
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