Asbestos-Cement Pipes

These pipes have been in use throughout the world since 1913. They are made of a mixture of 82-90% cement
and 10-18% asbestos fibers. They are available in diameters ranging between 60-2,000 mm, and can withstand
pressures ranging between 6-20 atmospheric pressures.
These pipes are connected with separate special fittings. The use of asbestos pipes to convey potable water over
the last two decades, due to increasing concern with their health hazards. However, they are still used to convey
irrigation and sanitary drainage water.
The advantages of asbestos pipes are as follows:

They are resistant to wear and corrosion, thereby being useful in situations involving corrosive water or
soil;
They have smooth internal surfaces, resulting in low friction losses;

They are easy to install and maintain;

The major raw material (cement) required for their manufacture is usually available locally.

The disadvantages of asbestos pipes are as follows:

The asbestos material used in manufacturing the pipes represent a carcinogenic health hazard when
used to transport water for human consumption. It also is a hazard during the manufacturing, installation
and maintenance of the pipes;
The pipes have a low resistance to vibrations from vehicular traffic passing over them;

They have a low resistance to shocks, facilitating their breakdown during their loading, transportation,
unloading and installation;

It is difficult to secure precise measurements of the thickness of the cylinder during the manufacturing
process, as well as difficult to determine the required resistance to pressures;

There is a poor availability of fitting of the same material as the cylinder;

They cannot be used in loamy soil that expands, or in liquid soils.

Asbestos-cement pipes Asbestos cement is a mixture of cement and primarily

chrysolite, or i.e. Portland cement and white asbestos. Asbestos cement pipes
have been widely used for drinking water distribution and there are many
kilometres of it to be found all over the world. According to the results of longlasting monitoring, no concerns have appeared for the health of consumers
receiving the drinking water from asbestos cement pipes. So far, no programmes
have been established to replace asbestos cement pipes. However, staff working
within the A WECF publication 2012 asbestos industry and working with asbestos
pipes are exposed to the inhalation of asbestos fibres. There is consistent
evidence that the inhalation of asbestos fibres is hazardous to health
(carcinogenic). Only a few countries still install asbestos cement pipes, primarily
because of issues regarding handling and economics.

Asbestos cement pipes - A showcase of Underutilized technology

Based on documentary evidence issued by leading organizations worldwide, it is well supported
that Asbestos Cement and it's manufacture is ecologically friendly more so than most of it's
alternates like metal and PVC.
Besides being eco-friendly Asbestos Cement Pipes offer much more in terms of value. We list below a few

key points that highlight their "inherent value" over the competition.

They are very durable and economically

priced and offer the best value for
money when compared to the available
alternatives. They has the least cost / year.
They have a simple manufacturing
technology, with comparatively the least
power
consumption and
can
be
manufactured in a Small Scale Industry,
even a "Cottage Industry"
The main raw materials like Cement and Fly
ash (optional) are available in abundance in
India.
Fly Ash is a hazardous solid waste from
several thermal power plants , located all
over India .Its disposal is a major problem.

There are no effluents as everything is

recycled back.

AC Products are successfully in use since

more than 100 years in most developed
countries like USA, UK, even Germany.

They
have
a tremendous
Export
Potential too. India can be one of the
leading Countries in the Manufacture of
Asbestos Cement Products.

The asbestos Fiber used in a small

percentage, is easily importable till proper
mining is developed in India.

This forms an important (optional) Raw

Material for AC Pipes. Therefore Its
consumption is highly Environment Friendly.
Table showing the durability and Economic viability of AC Pipes compared to some other materials. You will
observe that PVC, Cast Iron, Ductile Iron and Mild Steel are not cost effective as compared to
Asbestos Cement (AC).

Approx Age(Yrs)
Pipe Cost / mtr for 150 mm (for
10 Kg Pressure)
Cost / Year ( Rs )

AC

PVC

DI

CI

75

25

20

25

180

255

584

470

2.40

10.20

29.20

18.80

Remarks

(PVC160mm)

AC is much lower
Others should be used only
How many times of AC
1
4.25
12.2
7.8
if necessary.
Despite these advantages AC pipes have seen a drop in market share in India. This can be attributed to two
main reasons.
- The widespread myth regarding the safety of asbestos products and lack of effort by the manufacturers to
dispel this.
- The Indian Standard is at a much lower level than International standards on AC pipe manufacturing. This
resulted in inferior products which resulted in unsatisfactory field performance These issues must be
tackled to give the AC Pipe technology an the industry their rightful recognition.
Joy Manglani