Everything You Need To Know To Find The Best Insulated Pipe Clamp

Pipe clips, as they're also called, are typically used in plumbing, heating, drainage and electrical applications and come in a range of different materials. They're also sometimes referred to as pipe clamp brackets, but brackets can also be part of the fixing system, such as pipe support brackets. In this article we cover:

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Pipe clamps are supports for suspended pipes, whether vertical or horizontal. They shouldn't be confused with pipe fasteners, which join two pipes together. The job of pipe clamps is to securely hold pipes, while allowing for any movement or expansion to enable the application's maximum performance.

The main pipe clamp types have their own subset of clamps. They&#;re first affixed to a wall, ceiling or support base before securing the pipe.

This term simply refers to the components that will work together to support pipes. The system can include clips and clamps, pipe hangers, screws or bolts, anchors, struts and anything else you plan to use. These components are also called pipe clamp fittings. Your system should:

Also called pipe screw clamps, these come in two halves and are secured with two screws or bolts on either side of the clamp. Single-screw standard clamps are also available for faster installation. Typically, standard clamps come in steel. The single-screw variety feature a rubber lining that isolates vibration and provides sound insulation. Styles can also vary. Standard pipe clamp dimensions come in a wide range of sizes, so you should find something to suit your needs.

Metal can crack or break plastic pipes if secured too tightly, while plastic provides a softer hold. This makes plastic ideal for softer metals, such as copper plumbing. Plastic clamps and clips work well when pipes are thin and somewhat fragile, or when it&#;s carrying gas or another lightweight load. With this type, the pipe is put through the clamp and the arm is closed over it. These are also typically quick-release pipe clamps.

Saddle clamp pipe supports, as shown here, half saddle pipe clamps and U-bolts are traditional clamps that hold steel or copper pipes. Saddles transfer the weight of the pipe to a supporting base. They&#;re best used when issues such as vibration and insulation aren&#;t a factor. U-Bolts and other pipe clamp U types are typically used to elevate pipes and are secured to beams and ceilings.

Designed to support heavy loads and are used both indoors and outdoors. These tend to come in two parts with locking bolts. They&#;re usually made of steel and some are also lined to reduce noise and isolate sound.

You can sometimes use other components as pipe brackets and pipe hanging systems, particularly in the building and service industry.

Cable ties are ideal for fixing insulation to pipes or working in conjunction with pipe clips, but they can also support the pipes themselves with the aid of cable tie mounts . These are self-locking and easily installed by hand. They are resistant to extreme temperatures and offer great strength and durability. Another good option is strap and buckle cable ties , which has a tensile strength of 350 lbs.

The rubber profile isolates vibration and noise. The steel is zinc plated for corrosion resistance. P-clamps, which are typically used for hose and cable bundles, can serve as small pipe clamps to support lightweight loads. Ideal as an electrical pipe support.

Wherever pipes are used, clamps or their alternatives are needed. One clamp can usually work across all applications. We say &#;usually&#; because what counts is the diameter of the pipe and the environment where the clamp will go. The table below is a guide to what clamp types are most commonly used for the application.

Choosing the right clamps involves considering the material. That choice will be dictated by the material of the pipe. Metals are best at tolerating high temperatures, but connecting different metals to each other will cause galvanic corrosion.

For example, don&#;t use a stainless-steel clamp on a copper pipe. Contact between these two dissimilar metals causes a reaction. There is no universal agreement as to which metal causes the corrosion, but that it happens is a fact.

Plastic hose clamps

Brass pipe clips with stainless steel pipes

Or, stainless steel clips with brass pipes &#; what we&#;re talking about here is how the metals react. Some stainless steels can work with brass. It depends on the grade of the stainless steel. These are the grades that tend to work well with brass:

• 301
• 304
• 310

You can learn more about this topic in Understanding stainless steel grades.

Brass pipe clamps add an aesthetic touch, but they&#;re also corrosion resistant, which makes them a good choice for exposed pipes.

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Stainless steel famously resists corrosion. It also offers excellent wear resistance. Do not use stainless steel with carbon steel, as this will cause galvanic corrosion. If you&#;re planning on using it with brass pipes, see the subsection above, Brass pipe clips with stainless steel pipes.

Copper pipe clips

You already know you shouldn&#;t use copper with any stainless steels. Copper pipe clips are best used with plastic or domestic copper pipes. Like brass, copper won&#;t corrode, and they&#;re an appealing option if aesthetics are relevant.

Steel pipe clamps

Corrosion is a fact of life, but you can slow it down. Most steel clamps are zinc plated to resist corrosion. These clamps are ideal for steel tubes, cast-iron tubes and for use with insulated pipe supports. Steel clamps have a hard grip on pipes, so if you need flexibility, consider another material for your clamp. These clamps often use threaded rod, a component you can learn more about in our Guide to threaded rods.

Plastic pipe clamps

Ideal when your pipes need a degree of flexibility, as needed when movement or expansion occurs due to heat or cold. These clamps come in a range of plastics, from nylon 6/6 to PVC. Of course, PVC pipe is used the world over, and a plastic clamp is ideal, as it provides a softer grip.

Which pipe clamps are the best?

When it comes to selecting the best pipe fixings for a job, there is no &#;one size fits all&#; solution. In fact, selecting the best fixings depends on each unique installation environment and application requirements.

What needs to be taken into account when selecting the best pipe clamp?

Temperature:

Temperature variations can cause pipes to expand and contract. If the correct fixings and clamps are not used to take into account the pipe movement due to temperature changes, the installation could fail and cause damage to the building.

Before you can select the right clamps to deal with thermal expansion, you first need to calculate the level of thermal expansion on the pipework.

Weight:

All pipe clamps have a maximum load bearing capacity, which means you need to select a clamp which is suitable for supporting the load required.

As an example, you may require special heavy duty pipe clamps with a high safe working load to ensure the pipes are secured properly. These can also help you achieve maximum bracket distances between clamps as they are able to take more force.

Materials:

Pipes made from different materials will react very differently in certain scenarios. For example, there are many different types of plastic pipe (PE, PVC, PA, PP etc). Each has a different temperature resistance, and different resistance levels to chemicals such as oils, greases, acids, chlorine etc. This can affect what type of clamp should be used. For example, plastic pipes should usually be secured with a lined metal clamp or plastic clamp. An unlined metal clamp can lead to corrosion if used on a plastic pipe.

Then there are different types of metal pipe &#; steel, iron, copper and so on. This can determine what kind of pipe clamp can be used, for example, stainless steel pipe clamps cannot be used to fix a copper pipe as the two metals will react. So a nylon coated or plastic clamp must be used.

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