Centrifugally cast pipe

Abstract

A centrifugally cast plastic pipe comprised of a polymer derived from monomers polymerized in bulk is provided. A pressurized cylindrical mold provides smooth inner and outer surfaces. Pipes with a wall thickness of from 1/8 inch to 3 inches and an outer diameter of 1 inch to 12 feet are provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A centrifugally cast plastic pipe with inner and outer surfaces having less thin one visible void to the unaided eye per square inch of surface caused by bubble formation having an outer diameter in the range of 2 inches to 12 feet and a wall thickness ranging from about 1/4-inch to about 3 inches which is comprised of bulk-polymerized dicyclopentadiene. 
     
     
       2. A pipe as in claim 1, which does not contain reinforcement fibers embedded therein. 
     
     
       3. A pipe is in claim 1, having a modified inner surface by reaction with a gas selected from fluorine, bromine and chlorine. 
     
     
       4. A pipe as in claim 1 which is threaded. 
     
     
       5. A centrifugally cast plastic pipe with no voids on the inner and outer surfaces visible to the unaided eye from bubble formation having a wall thickness ranging from about 1/4-inch to about 3 inches and an outer diameter ranging from about 2 inches to 12 feet, which is comprised of bulk-polymerized dicyclopentadiene. 
     
     
       6. A pipe as in claim 5, having a modified inner surface by reaction with a gas selected from fluorine, bromine and chlorine. 
     
     
       7. A centrifugally cast plastic pipe with no voids on the inner and outer surfaces visible to the unaided eye from bubble formation, which contains fiber mat reinforcement and is comprised of bulk-polymerized dicyclopentadiene. 
     
     
       8. A pipe as in claim 7, having a modified inner surface by reaction with a gas selected from fluorine, bromine and chlorine. 
     
     
       9. A centrifugally cast plastic pipe with inner and outer surfaces having less than one visible void to the unaided eye per square inch of surface caused by bubble formation having an outer diameter of from about 4 inches to about 12 feet, which is comprised of bulk-polymerized dicyclopentadiene. .Iadd. 
     
     
       10.  A centrifugally cast plastic pipe with inner and outer surfaces having less than one visible void to the unaided eye per square inch of surface caused by bubble formation having an outer diameter in the range of 2 inches to 12 feet and a wall thickness ranging from about 1/4-inch to about 3 inches, which is comprised of bulk-polymerized dicyclopentadiene, wherein the pipe is produced by the process of centrifugally casting a reactive monomer formulation of bulk polymerizable monomer under a pressurized atmosphere. .Iaddend..Iadd.11. A pipe as in claim 10 wherein the pressurized atmosphere is greater than 10 psi. .Iaddend..Iadd.12. A pipe as in claim 10 wherein the pressurized atmosphere is within the range of 20 to 60 psi. .Iaddend..Iadd.13. A pipe as in claim 10 wherein the reactive monomer formulation is introduced into a cylindrical mold and the mold is subjected to a pressurized atmosphere greater than one atmosphere. 
     
     
        .Iaddend..Iadd.14.  A pipe as in claim 13 wherein the reactive monomer formulation has a gel time greater than about 2 minutes and a time to exotherm of less than 20 minutes and wherein the mold is subjected to the pressurized atmosphere for a period of time sufficient to allow the bulk polymerizable monomer to complete the reaction exotherm. .Iaddend..Iadd.15. A pipe as in claim 14 wherein the reactive monomer formulation within the mold is spun until polymerization is complete and to obtain the cylindrical dimensions defined by the cylindrical mold. .Iaddend..Iadd.16. A pipe as in claim 15 wherein the cylindrical mold is spun prior to introducing the reactive monomer formulation. .Iaddend..Iadd.17. A pipe as in claim 15 wherein the gas used to pressurize the mold is selected from the group of nitrogen, fluorine, bromine and chlorine. .Iaddend..Iadd.18. A pipe as in claim 15 wherein the cylindrical mold is spun at a speed greater than 800 rpm, the bulk polymerizable monomer comprises dicyclopentadiene, and the cylindrical mold defines a 4 inch diameter pipe. .Iaddend..Iadd.19. A pipe as in claim 15 wherein the cylindrical mold is pressurized to 30 psi. 
     
     
        .Iaddend..Iadd.  .  A pipe as in claim 15 wherein the reactive monomer formulation includes a blowing agent which is activated from the heat of the reacting exotherm. .Iaddend..Iadd.21. A pipe as in claim 15 wherein a fiberglass reinforcement is introduced to the cylindrical mold prior to introduction of the reactive monomer formulation. .Iaddend..Iadd.22. A centrifugally cast plastic pipe with inner and outer surfaces having less than one visible void to the unaided eye per square inch of surface caused by bubble formation having an outer diameter of from about 4 inches to about 12 feet, which is comprised of bulk-polymerized dicyclopentadiene, wherein the pipe is produced by the process of centrifugally casting a reactive monomer formulation of bulk polymerizable monomer under a pressurized atmosphere. .Iaddend..Iadd.23. A pipe as in claim 22 wherein the pressurized atmosphere is greater than 10 psi. .Iaddend..Iadd.24. A pipe as in claim 22 wherein the pressurized atmosphere is within the range 
     
     
        of 20 to 60 psi. .Iaddend..Iadd.25.  A pipe as in claim 22 wherein the reactive monomer formulation is introduced into a cylindrical mold and the mold is subjected to a pressurized atmosphere greater than one atmosphere. .Iaddend..Iadd.26. A pipe as in claim 25 wherein the reactive monomer formulation has a gel time greater than about 2 minutes and a time to exotherm of less than 20 minutes and wherein the mold is subjected to the pressurized atmosphere for a period of time sufficient to allow the bulk polymerizable monomer to complete the reaction exotherm. .Iaddend..Iadd.27. A pipe as in claim 26 wherein the reactive monomer formulation within the mold is spun until polymerization is complete and to obtain the cylindrical dimensions defined by the cylindrical mold. .Iaddend..Iadd.28. A pipe as in claim 27 wherein the cylindrical mold is spun prior to introducing the reactive monomer formulation. .Iaddend..Iadd.29. A pipe as in claim 27 wherein the gas used to pressurize the mold is selected from the group of nitrogen, fluorine, 
     
     
        bromine and chlorine. .Iaddend..Iadd.30.  A pipe as in claim 27 wherein the cylindrical mold is spun at a speed greater than 800 rpm, the bulk polymerizable monomer comprises dicyclopentadiene, and the cylindrical mold defines a 4 inch diameter pipe. .Iaddend..Iadd.31. A pipe as in claim 27 wherein the cylindrical mold is pressurized to 30 psi. .Iaddend..Iadd.32. A pipe as in claim 27 wherein the reactive monomer formulation includes a blowing agent which is activated from the heat of the reacting exotherm. .Iaddend..Iadd.33. A pipe as in claim 27 wherein a fiberglass reinforcement is introduced to the cylindrical mold prior to introduction of the reactive monomer formulation. .Iaddend.