Test Open End Pipe, Pipelines, Tubes and Pressure Vessels Quickly and Safely

• I.D. Sealing Version
• Pressures to 14,000 psi (960 Bar)
• Sizes from .93" to 8.53" (23.6mm - 216.7mm) In Stock
• Larger Sizes through 42" (1066.8 mm) Available

High pressure pipe testing is safer than ever before, thanks to EST Group's GripTight® Test Plugs. Unlike other pipe testing plugs that can loosen and eject under high pressure - even becoming dangerous projectiles - the GripTight Test Plugs actually use test pressure to seal more securely against the pipe's inner diameter. The greater the pressure - the greater the grip! The result is safer installation, better sealing and all around safer testing.

Test Plug Purpose & Functionality

GripTight Test Plugs provide a fast, safe and reliable solution for testing open ended pipe. Capable of achieving test pressures up to 14000 PsiG (960 BarG), GripTight Test Plugs eliminate the need for welding on and cutting off end caps, saving time and money on every test. The self-gripping design uses test pressure to supplement the plug’s pressure holding capability - the greater the test pressure, the greater the grip. GripTight Test Plugs incorporate a ported shaft for easy filling, venting and draining of the test system. GripTight Test Plugs are reusable, further reducing the cost per test. Wear components (seals and gripper assemblies) are field replaceable.

Basic Operation:

• Verify pipe size (Outer Diameter, Wall Thickness, and Inner Diameter), schedule, and material
• Place plug into the inner diameter of the pipe
• Tighten the Compression Nut to the required installation torque
• Fill the pipe with the test medium
• Pressurize the pipe, hold for the required time limit
• Depressurize and drain test medium
• Loosen Compression Nut and remove the GripTight Test Plug

Test Plug Features & Benefits

• Safe: Pressure on plug squeezes grippers tighter; plug can not be ejected under pressure when properly installed
• High Pressure Performance: Have been used for pipe burst tests in a manufacturing environment. Tests at higher pressure with greater safety, typically to 80% of yield
• Eliminates Weld Caps: No welding or cutting required. Speeds fabrication testing, reducing test times up to 80%
• Engineered Seal Design: Reduces seal wear for long lasting performance
• Optional High Pressure Pipe Cap: Plugs can be used in solid or ported configurations
• Positioning Washer: Prevents plug loss in pipe end, and eliminates plug lock-up after hydro test, common with inferior plug designs
• Retaining Spring: Assures retraction of gripper segments. Superior to O-ring design
• Easy to Maintain: Replacement seals and grippers readily available and easy to replace
• Optional Seals: Viton®, Silicone, EPDM
• The Self-Gripping design provides unparalleled safety - the greater the test pressure, the greater the grip.
• The GripTight Test Plugs are reusable. Drastically reducing the cost per test by up to 80% compared to welded-on end cap

FAQS

What installation equipment is required for a GripTight Test Plug?

A standard torque wrench & appropriate size crows foot or extra-deep socket.

What is the lead time for a standard GripTight Test Plug?

A majority of sizes are available from stock and are eligible for same day shipping. If items are not in stock, every effort will be made to meet your scheduling needs.

Does the pipe need to be in a specific condition before the GripTight Test Plug can be installed?

Yes. The GripTight Test Plug is designed for use in smooth bore pipe to achieve the desired functionality. If corrosion, pitting, scale, or a seam weld is present, then some preparation is required prior to testing.

What is the average amount of time required to install and perform a pressure test with the GripTight Test Plug?

Depending on the volume of the application, the pressure tests can be completed in as little as 10 minutes from insertion to removal.

Can one GripTight Test Plug be used to test multiple pipe sizes?

No. They are size specific to the schedule of the pipe.

What is the standard seal material for the GripTight Test Plug and are alternate seal materials available?

Urethane is the standard seal material for a GripTight Test Plug. Alternate seal materials are available; the most common replacement seal material options consist of Fluoroelastomer, Neoprene, Silicone, EPDM, Natural Rubber, Nitrile/Buna-N, and SBR/ Buna-S

What is the desired test medium?

While hydrostatic testing is the safest means for accomplishing a pressure test since water is a non-compressible medium, the selfgripping feature of the GripTight Test Plug does not recognize a difference in the test medium.

Is there visible scarring from the grippers after the test has been completed?

At high pressure, minimal marring of the pipe can occur due to the gripper engagement. Customers have reported that gripper indentations may range in depth from 0.005” to 0.015” (0.13 - 0.38 mm), significantly less than the depth of a pipe imperfection that would require a weld repair

A pressure test plug like our Griptight Test Plug is the safest component for high-pressure pipe testing on the market. It allows operators to insert thermometers and gauges into the system to check the pressure and temperature.

Pipe pressure test plugs are a fast, safe and reliable solution for testing open ended pipe. This tool enables the operator to perform a pressure test on an open pipe or vessel, whilst eliminating the need to weld on pipe caps or flanges, to carry out hydrostatic test applications.

A pressure test plug like our Griptight Test Plug is the safest component for high-pressure pipe testing on the market. It allows operators to insert thermometers and gauges into the system to check the pressure and temperature.

High pressure pipe testing is safer than ever with Curtiss Wright EST’s Griptight Test Plugs.

Further Information

The EST Division specializes in developing, manufacturing, and marketing highly-engineered products and repair services.

If you would like to contact us and speak to a sales representative, please fill out a contact form.

Take The Pressure Out of Tapping Pipes Under Pressure

Ideal for Decontamination and Disposal (D&D) work, D-Series Pipe Tapping Tools facilitate tapping, sampling and draining the contents of pipe and pressure vessels. When used with a standard 3/8" Drill, the D-Series tools provide a clean drilled 0.25" or 0.38" diameter hole in host pipe. The large 3/4" NPT outlet on the tools' body provides sampling and drainage port. Simple bolt-on installation – no welding or pyrotechnics are needed.

Two configurations available

DTT Model - taps into the underside of the host pipe at a low point in the line.

• DTT kit includes tapping tool, saddle assembly, and pipe cap for indicated host pipe size.

D2 Model - taps and drains host pipes lying along the floor or other obstructions.

• D2 kit includes tapping tool, saddle and backing assembly, and pipe cap for indicated host pipe size.

• Operating Pressure: 285 psi (19.6 Bar) at 100ºF (38ºC).
• Safe: No welding or pyrotechnics needed.
• Simple to Use: Bolt-on, attach valve, attach drill to operate.
• Standard Materials: D-Series tool bodies and saddle assemblies are stainless steel. All drills, retaining rings, U-bolts, and bolting hardware are carbon steel. D-Series Tapping Tools use PTFE packing and gasket materials. Titanium Nitride coated drill bits optional.
• Quality Assurance System: Compliant with several Quality Assurance Programs and U.S. nuclear industry standards including; ANSI N45.2, NQA-1, 10CFR 50 Appendix B, and 10CFR 21.
• Other Sizes and Materials: Contact Customer Service.

Don’t Compromise Onsite Safety & Reliability!

• Tapered pins can expel during shell side pressure testing or from tubes that have not been properly vented prior to plugging, potentially resulting in serious safety concerns for surrounding personnel and equipment.

Pop-A-Plug Tube Plugs offer a permanent mechanical plugging solution for leaking heat exchanger tubes!

Pop-A-Plug Tube Plug Advantages

• Conform to ASME PCC-2 recommended tube plugging repair methods*
• Safe - pressure rated up to 7000 PsiG (483 BarG) - tested to 1.5 safety ratio
• Reliable - provides a helium leak-tight seal
• Cost-Effective - permanent solution engineered for optimal performance throughout the life cycle of equipment
• Efficient - Simple hydraulic installation significantly reduces turnaround times
• Controlled and repeatable installation force protects surrounding tubes and adjacent ligaments from damage
• Accommodates through the tube plugging applications
• Plug and tube materials always matched to prevent galvanic interaction
• No welding required
• Full material traceability - all plugs laser etched with lot number
• Compliant with QA Systems including ANSI N45.2, NQA-1, 10 CFR 50 Appx. B and 10 CFR 21
• Manufactured in an ISO 9001:2015 registered facility

Tapered Pin Risks & Dangers

• Do not conform to ASME PCC-2 recommended tube plugging repair methods in applications above 200 PsiG (14 BarG) / 400°F (205°C)
• Lack of pressure rating resulting in unknown safety factor
• Can eject when system is pressurized and become a lethal projectile
• Can overstress and /or damage tube joints and crack tubesheets due to uncontrolled installation force
• Can damage expensive epoxy coated tubesheets resulting in costly repairs
• May require welding in higher pressure services/applications
• Welded installations may make re-tubing extremely difficult and expensive

Learn more about Pop-A-Plug Heat Exchanger Tube Plugs

• CPI/Perma Medium Pressure Tube Plugs
• P2 High Pressure Tube Plugs

* The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) PCC-2 Inspection and Repair of Shell and Tube Heat Exchangers (Article 312)

As a recognized ASME PCC-2 repair method, the Pop-A-Plug® Tube Plugging System offers a safe, and reliable solution for plugging leaking tubes.

Pop-A-Plug® P2 High Pressure Tube Plugs offer a safe and reliable solution for use in highly corrosive Fertilizer and Petrochemical Processing environments. Installation takes just minutes and protects against damage to tube sheet ligaments and the adjacent tube sheet joints. Plug material is always matched to the host tube to prevent galvanic interaction and maintains a leak-tight seal under extreme thermal and pressure cycling.

Features & Benefits

• Pressure ratings up to 7000 PsiG (483 BarG)
• Controlled and repeatable installation - no welding required
• Unique breakaway prevents damage to tube and tube joint
• Offers lowest life cycle cost when compared to alternative tube plugging methods
• Helium leak tight seal to 1 x 10-10 cc/sec
• ASME PCC-2 recommended tube plugging repair method (Article 312)
• Reduce downtime from days to hours

Pop-A-Plug P2 High Pressure Tube Plugs are available in a wide range of materials, including alloy steel F11 / F22, standard stainless steel, Zirconium, 904L, as well as 35+ commonly used alloys for corrosive environments, including:

• SS-316/316L
• SS-317L/321/347
• SS-400 Series Alloys
• SS-904L
• SS-254SMO
• SS-20CB3/ Alloy20
• Duplex SS /Super Duplex SS
• Inconel /Incoloy Alloys
• Hastelloy Alloys
• Monel
• Nickel 200/201
• AL6XN
• CuNi 70/30 - 90/10
• Carbon Steel A350 LF2
• Chrome Moly 4142
• Chrome Moly F5/F9/F11/F22

For additional information & documentation, please visit Pop-A-Plug P2 High Pressure Tube Plugs