What are ratchet-handle pipe cleaners made of?
What are ratchet-handle pipe cleaners made of? |
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Outer shell |
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The outer shell and handle of a ratchet-handle pipe cleaner are both made of plastic. This makes it relatively cost effective to manufacture and easy to use as it is lightweight. However, plastic is less durable than some materials such as metal. | |||
Ratchet |
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The ratchet mechanism inside the handle is made of stainless steel, which is a hard-wearing steel alloy (blend) that is resistant to rust and corrosion. | |||
External brush |
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The double stem of the brush sticking out from the rear of the pipe cleaning tool is made of steel. Spiralling round it are wire bristles which have been coated with tungsten carbide to give an abrasive finish.
Tungsten carbide is a mix of tungsten and carbon which makes products stronger and more durable. |
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Inner teeth |
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The metal teeth, or staples, inside the pipe cleaner head are made of steel which has been coated in tungsten carbide to give extra strength.
Set in a thick PVC (plastic) foundation, the teeth are arranged in an offset spiral shape around the inside of the drum. Because the teeth are set at an angle, instead of positioned in rows one behind the other, the entire surface of the pipe can be covered without repositioning the tool. You don’t get stripes where the staples missed the copper, as sometimes happens with other cleaning tools. As the head rotates, the teeth sweep continuously across the end of the pipe and clean every part of it evenly. |
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