Plumbing Connection Spring 2016

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“ON THE JOB”
ADVERTORIAL
Defective weld seams on 316L press fittings, made from
tube, were found with porosity on the weld evident. Such
issues can affect the strength of the fitting as well as
diminish corrosion resistance.
Stainless Steel 316L press fittings sold as annealed
product were found not to be annealed. Annealing
stainless steel tube and press fittings, following cold
working and welding during manufacture, relieves
stresses and restores material properties, providing the
best possible corrosion resistance and material properties
for correct press joint formation.
THE KEMBLA DIFFERENCE
MM Kembla’s manufacturing processes and quality
systems are built upon 100 years of experience
manufacturing in Australia. Kembla has a comprehensive
IS0 9001 certified quality management system that
includes stringent quality controls, expert technical
support, laboratory and investigative analysis capabilities.
There is a difference in the product you choose; ensuring
you are using the right product is about choosing the right
difference, the Kembla difference.
T he increasing occurrence of non-conforming
product being sold into the Australian market has
increased the likelihood of costly consequences and
the risk and liability for distributors, plumbers, builders,
developers and designers.
Products like copper and stainless steel tube,
fundamental to most plumbing systems, often have little
visual distinction of quality between brands. However,
recent testing by MM Kembla of random samples in the
Australian market found significant non-conformances
and differences in quality beyond those seen by the
naked eye.
“COPPER TUBE AIN’T COPPER TUBE”
70 samples of copper plumbing, HVAC and refrigeration
tube from six different manufacturers were tested. 89%
of the samples were found to not meet the requirements
of copper plumbing tube standard AS1432 or refrigeration
and air conditioning copper tube standard AS/NZS1571.
62 non-conformances were found in the following areas:
∫ Outside Diameter
∫ Tube Wall Thickness
∫ Chemical Composition
∫ Hardness
∫ Tube Ink Marking & Incising
∫ Internal Cleanliness
Non-conformances across the above areas can lead
to problems with product identification and traceability
and performance issues that can impact the lifespan of
a system and its components through increased system
velocities, fitting incompatibility, reduced burst pressures
and tube collapse during pressing of press-fittings. The
risk of system failure is increased and failures can result in
a big repair bill and a reputation to repair.
IT’S STAINLESS STEEL, BUT WHICH GRADE & QUALITY?
Stainless steel tube and press fittings are available
in a wide range of grades, each with differing properties
that can affect strength, corrosion resistance and
performance. Recent testing performed on stainless steel
tube and press fitting samples found that what is being
promised by a product is not necessarily what you are
buying.
Stainless steel tube marked as a particular grade of
stainless steel was found to be another grade with lower
corrosion resistance characteristics.
For more information contact MM Kembla on 1800 804 631,
or visit
THE KEMBLA DIFFERENCE
WITH THE ARRAY OF PLUMBING PRODUCTS AVAILABLE TODAY, IT’S EASY TO ASSUME ALL PRODUCTS ARE OF
THE SAME QUALITY. JUST BECAUSE THEY LOOK THE SAME, IT DOESN’T MEAN THEY ARE THE SAME. RECENT
PRODUCT TESTING HAS SHOWN THERE IS A DIFFERENCE.