I-Rod® pipe supports
Frequently asked questions

The I-Rod brand FAQ

Q: "What is the difference between an I-Rod pipe support and a Nu-Bolt?"

A: I-Rod thermoplastic is the white, half-round rod we use for all types of pipe supports, and that’s why we call the brand I-Rod. A Nu-Bolt assembly is simply one form of an I-Rod pipe support. The Nu-Bolt is one piece of I-Rod fitted on a coated U-bolt with 4 nuts. Download the I-Rod Catalog.

Q: “Is I-Rod made of Teflon®?”

A: No. I-Rod is a high-impact thermoplastic material. Teflon and Delrin are commonly used to try to copy I-Rod, but both fail, causing dangerous pipe corrosion. Teflon does not function due to lack of compressive strength. To see examples of I-Rod imposters made of Teflon that have failed in the field, visit the Press Release section.

Q: “Is the material on a Nu-Bolt neoprene?”

A: No. It is a cross-linked, heat-shrinkable polyolefin material. Neoprene would have to be vulcanized to stick to the U-Bolt; as a result, it would deform too much and cause problems with moisture retention. The purpose of the heat-shrink is to minimize damage to the pipe coating during installation.

Q: “What is the maximum piping temperature that I can use I-Rod on?”

A: Normally, at temperatures above 90°C (194°F), crevice corrosion is not a problem because the water simply evaporates; therefore, that’s our upper recommended continuous service temperature. However, the material will perform up to 120°C (250°F), but may experience some slight deformation at the contact area. There is a high-temperature version of I-Rod available for extreme heat; please contact us if you have questions about this HT material. Click here to view the full specifications on I-Rod.

Q: “Does the I-Rod create a stress-raising point on the pipe?”

A: No, not if the piping is correctly supported along its length. If there is noticeable sagging between support points, then the pipe is being overstressed and inadequately supported. Note: I-Rod has been used on hundreds of thousands of pipe supports for over 20 years, and we have never seen a problem.

Q: “How do I know I’m buying I-Rod and not some inferior copy?”

A: Every shipment of I-Rod is traceable, and is sent with a certificate of authenticity. All I-Rod is distinctly marked.

Q: “How can I secure the I-Rod to the beam? Is there an epoxy glue I can use?”

A: Our double-sided tape works well for initial fastening. Otherwise, it should be mechanically fastened to the beam. We do not recommend any type of adhesive or sealant.

Q: "What is an I-Rod Clip?"

A: I-Rod Clip is a new product used to line saddle-clamp-style supports and Grinnell clamps. Made of the same thermoplastic material (I-Rod), it is designed to prevent crevice corrosion at more substantial weight-bearing supports. It’s available in sizes to fit standard Grinnell clamps and pipe cradles. It can also be custom-sized or pre-installed in Grinnell clamps.

I-Rod brand products

More information

Corrosion at topside pipe supports (Paper)

(2002) by J N Britton. Abstract: Corrosion at pipe supports is one of the leading causes of process piping failure. This paper will discuss the various corrosion mechanisms that occur at pipe supports. .

Nu-Bolt 13-year field performance study

The first structure to specify I-Rod pipe supports was inspected 13 years after original installation. The results are stunning; not a single pipe support had failed.

I-Rod imposters discovered in the Gulf of Mexico (Press Release)

In October 2007, some of Deepwater's offshore corrosion inspectors aboard the NEPTUNE SPAR came across pipe supports very similar in appearance to Deepwater's own I-Rod Brand ...

I-Rod compression lab test results

The high-impact nature of I-Rod thermoplastic is one of the key reasons it works so well. View the lab test results for compressive strength testing.