VpCI Tube Strip for Pipe Interiors – 1 Reel per Carton (Cortec® CorroLogic® Tube Strips)

Description

The Cortec® CorroLogic® VpCI® Tube Strip is a flexible low-density polyethylene strip loaded with vapor-phase corrosion inhibitor, supplied on a 500 ft (152 m) reel, that you feed down the bore of a tube or pipe to protect the inside surface. It is dosed by length rather than volume: cut a strip as long as the pipe, push or pull it through, cap the ends, and the VpCI vaporizes along the full length of the bore and condenses as a molecular layer on the inside wall. When the pipe goes into service the strip pulls out and there is nothing to flush or clean, and the protected surface can be welded without interference.

The Tube Strip protects carbon steel, galvanized steel, aluminum, copper and copper alloys, brass and stainless steel, for pipe diameters up to 6 inches (15.2 cm), and gives a two-year life span inside a capped pipe. Cortec’s Product Consultation Guide lists it as the Cor-Pak VpCI Pipe Strip at rating 1, enclosed, on all eight metals: it works inside a capped or sealed bore and is not for open storage. It replaces the internal oil or grease coat that has to be flushed out before commissioning, and it replaces the fogging step for pipe that is too small or too numerous to fog one by one. It contains no halogens, heavy metals or sulfur, and it will not interfere with subsequent welding.

Typical applications

• Tubes, pipes and conduits in storage between fabrication and installation
• Pipe spools and tubular products during ocean and overland shipping
• Interior surfaces of pipe without an internal coating
• OCTG and mill-supplied tubulars awaiting use
• Hydraulic and instrument tubing, headers and manifolds on packaged equipment
• Boiler, condenser and heat-exchanger tubes during lay-up
• Stainless and copper tube for HVAC and refrigeration awaiting installation

How to use the Tube Strip

1. Prepare the pipe. The bore should be clean and dry with no standing water; drain and blow out any hydrotest water or flushing fluid first.
2. Cut to length. Cut a strip equal to the length of the pipe. Recommended for pipe diameters up to 6″ (15.2 cm); for larger bores, run two or more strips or use a fogging product.
3. Feed it in. Push the strip through by hand for short lengths, or tie it to a pull line and draw it through a long run. It should lie along the full length of the bore; placement within the bore is not critical.
4. Cap the ends. Close both ends with pipe caps, tape, or a sleeve of VpCI-126 tubing heat-sealed or taped over the pipe end. The vapor concentration only builds in a closed bore.
5. Let the vapor work. Life span is two years in a capped pipe. If the caps come off for inspection, replace them promptly.
6. Commission. Pull the strip out before the pipe goes into service. No flushing or cleaning is required and the surface can be welded.
7. Store the reel. Keep the reel in its sealed carton between uses; shelf life 3 years.

Combining with other VpCI packaging

The strip handles the bore; the outside of the pipe still needs a package. Slide small-diameter pipe into VpCI-126 tubing and seal both ends, or wrap bundles in VpCI-146 paper inside a VpCI-126 gusseted liner; for long outdoor lay-up, shrink the bundle in MilCorr. For larger vessels and headers that a strip cannot serve, place a VpCI-308 pouch (1 m³ per pouch) in the void, or fog with VpCI-337 or VpCI-309 powder.

Where it fits in the Cortec line

Cortec’s void-space products are dosed by volume: VpCI-101 at 1 ft³, VpCI-111 at 11 ft³, VpCI-132 foam at 8 ft³, VpCI-308 pouches at 1 m³. The Tube Strip is the one dosed by length, which is what makes it practical for hundreds of feet of small-bore pipe where nothing else can be placed or retrieved. It is part of Cortec’s CorroLogic line of engineered preservation products for pipe, tank and asset lay-up. Browse the full Cortec VpCI line and the VpCI product selection guide.

Specifications

Dosing	Strip length should equal the length of pipe
Pipe size	Recommended for pipe diameters up to 6 inches (15.2 cm)
Strip	1/3 inch diameter (8.5 mm), supplied in 500 ft (152 m) reels
Material	Low-density polyethylene strip containing VpCI
Life span	2 years
Metals	Carbon steel, galvanized steel, aluminum, copper and alloys, brass, stainless steel
Consultation guide rating	1 – enclosed, all eight metals (listed as Cor-Pak VpCI Pipe Strip)
Composition	No halogens, heavy metals or sulfur; will not interfere with subsequent welding
Removal	Pull the strip out before service; no flushing or cleaning required
Shelf life	3 years
Size	1 Reel per Carton
Shipping weight	7.5 lb (3.40 kg)
Availability	In stock
Cortec product number	20800070

Solvent Recycling Systems is an authorized Cortec® distributor. See the full Cortec VpCI line, browse the VpCI product selection guide, or contact us for volume pricing and lead times.