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Visually marking of large anodized aluminum pipes

We have 500 large (6" ID, 1/4" wall, 60" long) anodized aluminum pipes. We need to mark these pipes to distinguish them from all the other in the plant; ideally, the marking should allow a visual difference from several feet away.

Is there away of accomplishing what we want (at moderate cost; ideally done in house)?

Thanks.

Volker Traudt
converting plant - Brighton, MI, USA
October 20, 2009

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Volker,

Since you don't state if a permanent or temporary marking is desired and if it needs to withstand high temperature or mechanical damages, there are quite a number of options.

Cheapest, fastest & easiest would be stencil and a high-visibility paint or good old colored duct tape. Hi-temp paint, that rated for 1200°F will normally hold up only to around 350° with any kind of reliability and of course tape adhesive is going to give up around 120°F. If appearance is not an issue and the marking is only to prevent this pipe from being inadvertently pulled into production, neon construction marking paint is quite handy - it's not pretty looking but highly effective especially in a production environment.

If external attachment is not an issue and the marking needs to be more permanent, I have used stainless steel/aluminum pallet banding to secure large stenciled tags to installed utility/process piping.

If the mark needs to be more permanent and external tagging is an issue, I would look at the variety of marking inks that are available including high-temp metal-base types. These can be applied by hand or with a felt or rubber stamp pad/wheel.

Mark Kisenwether
Fire & Iron Mfg - Webster, Florida, USA
October 26, 2009