What type of plug is utilized to seal a drum or header tube hole if replacement tubes are not available?

What type of plug is utilized to seal a drum or header tube hole if replacement tubes are not available?

• A. Blind nipple
• B. Standard taper plug
• C. Expansion plug
• D. Tapered phenolic plug

Answer: (A)

The correct answer is a blind nipple, which is specifically designed to seal off openings in systems such as drum or header tubes when replacement tubes are not available. A blind nipple is essentially a fitting without a passage that effectively blocks or seals the end of a pipe or tube, preventing any fluid from escaping or entering the system. This makes it suitable for maintaining system integrity in situations where immediate repairs or replacements cannot be made. In contrast, a standard taper plug serves a different purpose; it is made to plug holes with a tapering design that allows for a tighter seal, but it may not be as effective in applications where high pressure is involved. An expansion plug is designed to provide a seal through an expanding action after being inserted into a hole, often used in situations where a threaded fitting is not available, but it may not be appropriate for securing a drum hole specifically. A tapered phenolic plug is typically used in more specialized applications involving plastic materials and may not provide the robust sealing required in heavy-duty environments like those associated with drum or header tubes.

The correct answer is a blind nipple, which is specifically designed to seal off openings in systems such as drum or header tubes when replacement tubes are not available. A blind nipple is essentially a fitting without a passage that effectively blocks or seals the end of a pipe or tube, preventing any fluid from escaping or entering the system. This makes it suitable for maintaining system integrity in situations where immediate repairs or replacements cannot be made.

In contrast, a standard taper plug serves a different purpose; it is made to plug holes with a tapering design that allows for a tighter seal, but it may not be as effective in applications where high pressure is involved. An expansion plug is designed to provide a seal through an expanding action after being inserted into a hole, often used in situations where a threaded fitting is not available, but it may not be appropriate for securing a drum hole specifically. A tapered phenolic plug is typically used in more specialized applications involving plastic materials and may not provide the robust sealing required in heavy-duty environments like those associated with drum or header tubes.