Page 168 - McWane Poles Sales Manual 2024

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McWane Poles, A Division of McWane Inc.
Is ductile iron a brittle material?
No. Unlike cast iron, ductile iron is a pliable material. This is because of ductile iron’s carbon structure.
Elements are added during the melting process that transform the flaky carbon structure of cast iron
into a spherical, or ductile, structure. This nodular carbon orientation gives it ductility and strength while
maintaining the corrosion resistance of cast iron.
When you say ductile iron poles are environmentally friendly, what does that really mean?
McWane Poles are made of 96% recycled cars, appliances, and other metals. And at the end of a ductile
iron pole’s service life, a pole can actually be melted down and produce another pole from the same
material. McWane Poles are 100% recyclable.
Do you need special equipment for installation?
Ductile iron poles weigh approximately 25 percent less than Southern Yellow Pine and are similar weight to
Douglas Firm, so the same equipment used on wood can be used for ductile iron. Two-piece poles require
a jacking kit for field assembly.
Can you provide the poles in sections to allow field assembly?
Yes. In most cases, we are shipping fully assembled poles up to 70’. We press fit the joints in a 50-ton press
and pin them. We offer poles 70’ and less in two pieces as an option.
What is the end of life salvage value anticipated to be?
Salvage value will be determined by future market scrap values.
Do you have RUS approval?
RUS does not approve any utility poles regardless of material. However, RUS requires that the funding
application list materials to be used with the funds requested. Therefore, all poles, regardless of materials,
are to be specified in the paperwork to be filed. McWane Poles have been purchased in many instances
using RUS funds.
How does the strength compare to wood?
We have designed our poles to the equivalent of wood pole in grade “B” construction. As an advantage
our poles are engineered with predictable minimum strength and dimensional consistency.
How will ductile iron poles behave on impact - like wood, steel, cast iron?
Results will vary depending on the size and speed of the vehicle. Generally, ductile iron poles will react to
impacts similar to wood. What type of ground line protection do you provide? McWane has manufactured
iron pipe since 1921 and ductile iron pipe since the 1950s, so we have extensive knowledge of underground
ductile iron protection. For maximum protection, McWane Poles uses a ceramic epoxy as the embed
coating. We coat the pole embed, inside and out, to one foot above the ground line.
Do you galvanize ductile iron poles?
No. Due to the silicate content of ductile iron, dipped galvanizing does not adhere well. However, McWane
gains similar protection with arc-applied zinc. This is a process of electrically melting zinc wire and
applying it to the pole. On top of the zinc coating, we apply an acrylic top coat for a premium appearance.
FAQS