Red ThreadTM HP FM and BondstrandTM Maintenance Couplings

Assembly instructions for Butt-End joints and repair

Cutting the Pipe

Before cutting the replacement length of pipe, allow the temperature

of the existing system to stabilize to avoid length changes through
expansion or contraction. Measure the replacement piece carefully so
that the space between its ends and the ends of the pipe in the existing
system will be no more than 1/8 inch.

Positioning the Coupling

Center the maintenance coupling over the joint and mark the lap length
on the pipe ends. Sand the entire surface of the pipe from the marks to
the pipe end using 40-grit abrasives. Sand until all gloss is removed from
the surfaces to be bonded, as well as the cut ends of the pipe wall. Sand
inaccessible areas with a flapper sander or by hand using a shoe shine
method.

Checking the Fit

Dry fit the parts before final sanding. The 180 inner sections placed
around the pipe ends should, when held in contact on one side,
show from 0 to 1/8 inch separation on the opposite side. If, with zero
separation, the inner sections are not snug against the pipe surfaces,
file back an edge as required to get a snug fit. If the sections, when
fitted snugly, show a separation of more than 1/8 inch, correct any
misalignment of pipe ends and sand to fit. The outer sections of the
coupling should show 1/8 inch or more of separation.

Final Sanding

All mating surfaces must be clean and dry and must be sanded within
two hours of assembly. After sanding, bonding surfaces should show a
dull fresh finish, not a polished look.

Instructions for mixing and using the adhesives are in the adhesive kits.
Larger couplings are more difficult to handle and assemble; once the
adhesive has been mixed, the time available for assembly is limited by
the adhesive pot life. A crew of two or three people is suggested when
assembling 8 through 16 inch couplings.

Applying the Adhesive

With the spatula supplied in the adhesive kit, apply adhesive to the
outside surface of the pipe (location 1 in the figure) and inside surface
of the coupling inner sections (location 2 in the figure). Be sure to
completely cover the cut ends and prepared surfaces of the pipe and
inner sections. Use enough adhesive so that any excess will be forced
to flow to the edges of the sections when assembled around the pipe
ends. Assemble these two inner half sections by centering them around
the butted ends of the pipe. Clamp the two sections together with the
supplied hose clamps and cure the adhesive with electrical heating
blankets. After curing, let the parts cool completely and remove the
clamps. Set them aside for later use. Re-sand the remaining mating
surfaces, (locations 3 and 4 in the figure), mix a new batch of adhesive,
and proceed as follows. Make sure any high spots of cured adhesive have
been sanded off the outer surface (location 3 in the figure).
Apply adhesive to cover completely the outer surfaces of the inner
sections (location 3) and the inner surfaces of the outer sections
(location 4). Assemble the two outer sections with the split line about
90 away from the split line in the inner sections. Place the hose clamps
around the assembly and draw them tight. Remove excess adhesive for a
workmanlike appearance.
Coupling Outer Section

Coupling Inner Section

Use special care in handling parts to avoid contamination. Handle the

parts with new gloves which are used only for this purpose or with clean,
dry cotton cloths.
If the bonding surfaces are wet, warm them with a heating blanket until
dry, then re-sand. Protect the bonding surfaces from moisture during
wet weather with tenting over the work area.

Selecting the Adhesive

Unless the project specifications or the Chemical Resistance Guide

recommends a special adhesive for the particular service, the following
guidelines should be followed:
WELDFAST ZC-275 epoxy adhesive is the only FM approved adhesive
for bonding Red Thread HP FM Maintenance Couplings onto FM piping
systems.
WELDFAST ZC-275, PSX-34 or PSX-60 epoxy adhesives are recommended
for bonding Bondstrand Maintenance Couplings onto non-conductive
epoxy piping systems.
PSX-60 epoxy adhesive is recommended for bonding Bondstrand
Maintenance Couplings onto conductive epoxy piping systems.
RP-106 vinyl ester adhesive is recommended for bonding Bondstrand
Maintenance Couplings onto non-conductive or conductive vinyl ester
piping systems.

1
1
2

Hose Clamp

3
4

Curing the Adhesive

Heat-cure the adhesive using heating blankets. Cure time is 1 hour and
15 minutes for all diameters. Apply the heating blankets in accordance
with the instructions provided with the blanket, making certain that
any overlap of the blanket covers the thermostat. It is always a good
idea to insulate around the heating blanket and to close the ends of the
piping system to prevent movement of cold air inside the pipe while the
adhesive is curing.

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Red Thread HP FM and Bondstrand Maintenance Couplings

Maintenance Coupling Kit

The kit includes inner and outer sections, hose clamps and assembly instructions. Adhesive must be ordered separately.
FM Maintenance Coupling

Bondstrand Maintenance Coupling

Hydrostatic pressure ratings are 200 psig at 70F

Hydrostatic pressure ratings at 70F

Adhesive
Usage(1)

Hydrostatic Pressure
Rating at 70F

mm

Kits

psig

MPa

101.6

150

1.0

4.00

101.6

150

1.0

44400801

4.00

101.6

150

1.0

150

66400801

4.88

124.0

150

1.0

200

88400801

5.38

136.7

150

1.0

10

250

AA400801

5.88

149.4

150

1.0

12

300

BB400801

6.38

162.1

125

0.9

14 (2)

350

CC400801

7.38

187.5

125

0.9

16 (2)

400

DD400801

8.38

212.9

125

0.9

Adhesive Usage(1)(2)(3)

Pipe Size

Coupling Length

mm

Kits

In

mm

Code

In

101.6

50

22400801

4.00

4.88

124.0

80

33400801

88RT0801

7.00

177.8

100

250

AART0801

8.50

215.9

300

BBRT0801

10.00

254.0

Pipe Size

Coupling Length

in

mm

Code

in

100

44RT0801

4.00

150

66RT0801

200

10
12

(1) Approximate number of adhesive kits required per coupling. FM Maintenance Coupling kits do not
include adhesive.
(2) For FM qualified joints, only use WELDFAST ZC-275 adhesive.
(3) Couplings may be used on Red Thread HP16, Green Thread HP16, Silver Streak, BS 3000 series and
Centricast piping systems in service up to 200 psig. The piping system pressure ratings must be
considered as well.

(1) Approximate number of 5 ounce adhesive kits required per coupling. Bondstrand Maintenance
Coupling kits do not include adhesive.
(2) Will not fit on Red Thread HP16, Green Thread HP16, Bondstrand 3000 series or Centricast pipe.

National Oilwell Varco has produced this brochure for general

information only, and it is not intended for design purposes.
Although every effort has been made to maintain the accuracy
and reliability of its contents, National Oilwell Varco in no way
assumes responsibility for liability for any loss, damage or injury
resulting from the use of information and data herein nor is
any warranty expressed or implied. Always cross-reference the
bulletin date with the most current version listed at the web site
noted in this literature.

Fiber Glass Systems

17115 San Pedro Avenue, Ste 200
San Antonio, Texas 78232 USA
Phone: 210 477 7500
Fax: 210 477 7560

2015 National Oilwell Varco All Rights Reserved

INS2004ENGSeptember 2015

fgspipe@nov.com

nov.com/fgs