Victaulic said crews could assemble the joint by inserting the installation-ready coupling onto the shouldered ends of a pipe or fitting, and tightening the nuts using standard hand tools or an impact wrench.

“The coupling’s unique design ensures consistent installation and, with fewer steps required for assembly, cuts installation time in half,” the company said.

“Plus, the flexible design accommodates deflection, expansion and contraction.”

Victaulic said rings must be welded onto competitor fittings to be compatible with shouldered couplings, while its shouldered fittings were ready for immediate installation and could be used to retrofit on existing shouldered pipe.

“Our installation-ready product line does just that – helps our customers meet and exceed their schedules, offers a safer, flame-free solution, and reduces man hours during installation,” Victaulic Australia regional manager Gennaro Sposato said.

The SC77 comes in sizes ranging from 2 to 8 inches and is rated to 580psi or 4000kPa.

Victaulic says the grade T nitrile gasket is ideal for petroleum, oil and air services, while the housing is galvanised for external corrosion protection.

A Victaulic spokesperson told ILN some longwall mines had already ordered the SC77 but could not confirm if they were yet in use.