Pipeline Pigging · Steel Mandrel Pigs

Articulated
Pigs

Two section steel pigs joined by a flexible urethane chain, built to clean and gauge 6" to 14" lines with bends a rigid pig cannot pass.

Steel Mandrel Pigs

Applications & Features

Applications

Small diameter pipelines, 6" to 14", with tight radius bends that standard rigid pigs cannot navigate
Pre-commissioning cleaning to remove mill scale, rust, sand, wax, and construction debris
On stream cleaning of organic growth, mud, oxides, and other fouling
Gauging runs to verify pipe roundness and check for excessive weld penetration or debris
Proving minimum bend radius prior to running intelligent inspection pigs
Cleaning operations in complex piping systems with multiple short radius bends

Features

Two section carbon steel body connected at the center by a urethane chain, a solid steel chain encased in molded polyurethane, allowing the pig to flex through tight bends
Easily replaceable polyurethane cups provide propulsion and sealing
Multiple brush designs available: wire wheel, split ring, spring loaded, and polyurethane blades
Optional gauging plate machined to customer specifications for pipe condition verification
Brushes manufactured in house at Pigs Unlimited's Tomball, TX facility in carbon steel, stainless steel, and prostran for internally coated or plastic pipe
All wearing components (cups, discs, brushes) are field replaceable, extending pig service life

Why Articulated

Standard rigid steel mandrel pigs cannot reliably navigate pipelines with tight radius bends, typically anything tighter than 1.5D. The articulated design solves this by splitting the pig body into two sections joined by a flexible urethane chain, allowing each half to pivot independently while maintaining brush contact and cup sealing throughout the bend. This makes articulated pigs the preferred choice for small diameter gathering lines, station piping, and any system where bend geometry would stop a conventional pig.

Available Models

CSB-J	Articulated cleaning pig with a carbon steel body and urethane chain joint. Equipped with circular hub wire brush assemblies and replaceable polyurethane cups. Designed for pre-commissioning and on stream cleaning in 6" to 14" pipelines with tight radius bends. Can be fitted with a gauging plate for pipe roundness verification.
SRB-J	Articulated cleaning pig with a carbon steel body and urethane chain joint. Features four easily replaceable polyurethane cups and two split ring brush assemblies for aggressive cleaning. Models 6" to 8" are center rod type construction. Also capable of being fitted with a customer specified gauging plate.

Available Options

Gauging plate machined to customer specifications
Brush types: wire wheel, split ring, spring loaded, polyurethane blades
Brush materials: carbon steel, stainless steel, prostran for internally coated or plastic pipe
Transmitter or pinger cavity for pig tracking
Magnets for ferrous debris collection
Various cup durometers (hardness)
Special lengths and diameters for unique pipeline configurations

Need articulated pigs for tight radius pipeline cleaning? Contact us for pricing and availability.