ABSTRACT
Among the most demanding roles of any material is that of containing and transporting fluids. Why? Because escape of the contents due to failure of the wall can create far more serious damage than the initial break. Fuel spray from pipe leaks can cause devastating fires, while the damage from corrosive chemicals from leaking storage tanks can be extensive. Even small losses of water from supply pipes is serious if undetected, as many homeowners will know much to their regret from freezing water effects in winter. In supply systems to larger buildings, the effects are multiplied, and the losses far greater if equipment is damaged by the leaking water. Design, rather than manufacturing or assembly, defects in central heating systems (CHS) produce a multiplier effect of such severity as to seriously affect the credibility of major companies and corporations. So what are the requirements for containment materials?
