Did you know October 14 is World Standards Day? At McWane Ductile, standards matter—because they matter to everyday life. International standards play a critical role in consumer safety, environmental protection, technological advancement, and economic growth.
In this #IronStrong blog, we explore why standardization is essential for manufacturing Ductile Iron (DI) products and what it means for the people and communities that rely on them. With insights from Hal Eddings, Technical Director at McWane Ductile, and Jeremy Stewart, Quality Assurance Manager at McWane Ductile–Utah, the discussion highlights how rigorous standards help ensure quality, reliability, and long-term performance for consumers.
Each year, National Manufacturing Day is held on the first Friday in October, with events throughout the month to celebrate the manufacturers who make the products that keep us safe, enrich our lives, strengthen our economic and national security, and provide countless opportunities for our communities and workforce. It is also an opportunity to show students, parents, and the public what modern manufacturing is all about.
October 4th is National Truckers Appreciation Day, founded in 2020 by Bill Stearnes, a used truck salesman from Memphis, Tennessee. It was established to honor the trucking industry and the deserving group of hard-working, dedicated drivers who have one of the country's most challenging, essential jobs yet often go unnoticed and underappreciated. Truck drivers are vital to keeping the economy moving and delivering goods safely, securely, and on time.
Have you ever been asked what lining or coating your Ductile iron pipe material needs to have? Does all pipe in a water or sewer application system need some protective measure to keep the service life of the pipe constant? Ductile iron has been a reliable material for transporting water and wastewater nationwide for many years. Many variations of linings and coating have developed over time, but ceramic-enhanced epoxy and/or (porcelain enamel) glass linings have become the typically specified options. The remainder of this #IronStrong Blog compares these two protective lining options.
Oxidation and rust are related, yet they are not equal nor interchangeable as words or concepts. Both are a form of corrosion, although varying by many degrees and measures. Quite simply, and although early in this article, here's the bottom line – oxidation results in and typically stalls at "surface discoloration," a largely cosmetic effect often referred to as patina. Rust results in a loss of metal mass. Keep reading this Iron Strong Blog for more details of the difference.
Any Ductile iron pipe installation project aims to build a safe, long-lasting, and leak-free pipeline. Occasionally, you may seek resources to ensure you are installing pipe correctly. That’s where McWane Ductile comes into play. Along with our Learning Center, chock full of informative blogs, installation guides, and tip sheets, we have recently created some new videos detailing some best practices. Check out these detailed step-by-step installation videos below to help boost the productivity of your entire crew!
Are you the owner, supervisor, or crew member responsible for installing Ductile iron pipe? Have you ever become nervous before a hydrostatic pressure test or experienced increased anxiety during a test? Were you relieved when the waterline passed the test? What about if it failed? Did you feel defeated?
Over the years, products manufactured in our country have continually provided us with resources to enhance our quality of life. One key component in this regard is the diligence we have seen from various entities to ensure products are manufactured properly, safely, and in a manner that protects the environment and sustains economic viability. In this Iron Strong Blog, initially published in January 2021 and now updated to reflect today's climate, we will discuss why to consider a domestic onlyDuctile iron pipe (DI pipe) specification.
My local water utility recently contacted our home to inform us they were turning the water off from noon to 6:00 p.m. to repair a newly discovered water leak. This situation made me think about water loss, specifically how long the water line had been leaking, how many gallons of treated water was lost, and how a utility keeps up with water loss. This Iron Strong Blog describes the various components of a Water Loss Control Plan (WLCP) and the importance Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe) plays in an overall water management strategy.
Customers may occasionally ask why manufacturing facilities are shut down. Let's face it; we live in an "I want the product, and I want it NOW world," and no one wants to hear about a shutdown. The following #IronStrong blog covers what occurs during a shutdown at McWane Ductile foundries and the main reason for the shutdown, which is ultimately "YOU," the customer.
In a continuous effort to make your job easier, we have developed an online submittal builder to quickly and neatly package your personalized presentation.
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Looking for answers to your DI pipe questions? Find decades of Ductile iron expertise with installation guides, videos, tip sheets, training resources, and more in our Learning Center.
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Stop struggling with those hard-to-figure field calculations and put ease and efficiency right at your fingertips with our Pocket Engineer for mobile and desktop devices.
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