SMC Manhole Cover -40ºC to 150ºC, EN124 Certified for Underground Utility

Comparison: SMC vs. Cast Iron

• Load Capacity: SMC suits most municipal and commercial projects; cast iron remains preferred for extreme heavy-load sites.

• Weight & Installation: SMC is lightweight and easy to handle, while cast iron is heavy but stable.

• Safety: SMC has no scrap value, reducing theft risk; cast iron is prone to theft.

• Corrosion: SMC resists chemical and salt corrosion; cast iron requires maintenance in harsh environments.

• Temperature: SMC stable at -40ºC to 150ºC; cast iron may become brittle in extreme cold.

• Cost & ROI: SMC has higher upfront price but lower lifetime costs; cast iron is cheaper initially but costly over time.

• Environmental Impact: SMC has lower carbon emissions; cast iron relies on recycling but with high energy consumption.

• Design: SMC offers customizable colors and logos; cast iron retains a traditional look.​

  No.	Comparison Dimension	SMC Manhole Cover (Proposed for Hynds)	Cast Iron Manhole Cover (Current Main Product)	Summary
  1	Strength & Load-Bearing Capacity	- Meets the needs of most municipal, commercial and medium-to-high load scenarios; - More in-depth testing is required in extreme overload (such as airport runways and facilities).	- High reliability in high-pressure and heavy-load environments; - Brittle cracks may occur if the casting process or material grade is not good.	In conventional load scenarios, SMC performance is sufficient; in heavy-load extreme occasions, cast iron still has advantages or upgraded SMC can be considered.
  2	Weight & Installation	- Lightweight, easy to install, saving labor and transportation costs; - Market awareness is still low, and corresponding training or usage guidance is required.	- Heavy weight, good stability, not easy to shift; - More manpower or machinery is required, and the installation cost is relatively high.	SMC is more suitable for projects with insufficient manpower, tight construction schedule or limited installation conditions; cast iron can still be completed quickly when construction resources are sufficient.
  3	Anti-Theft & Safety	- No metal recycling value, the risk of theft is almost zero; - Special anti-theft design can be added to further improve safety.	- Has metal recycling value, theft incidents are frequent; - Anti-theft locks or alarm devices need to be installed separately, adding extra costs.	SMC is more effective in areas with high incidence of theft and projects with high public safety requirements.
  4	Corrosion Resistance	- Resistant to acid, alkali, salt spray and general chemical corrosion, the surface does not rust, and less maintenance in the later stage;	- Long service life in ordinary municipal environments; - Coastal and chemical zones are prone to rust and require continuous anti-corrosion and maintenance.	In chemical, coastal, and high-salt-alkali areas, SMC saves more maintenance costs; cast iron needs to strengthen anti-corrosion treatment.
  5	Temperature adaptability range	- The structure is stable and not easy to deform in the range of **-40ºC to 150ºC**; - Very few high-temperature scenarios exceeding 150ºC require special evaluation.	- It is less sensitive to high temperatures, but may become brittle in extremely cold environments; - Long-term use in extremely low temperatures or hot and cold cycle environments requires regular inspections.	SMC can meet most climatic conditions without worrying about high-temperature deformation; customized solutions can also be considered for extremely cold and hot scenes.
  6	Cost and Return on Investment (ROI)	- The initial purchase price is slightly higher than ordinary cast iron, but the subsequent theft, corrosion, maintenance and replacement costs are lower; - The cost advantage of the whole life cycle is obvious.	- The supply chain is mature, and the unit price is usually lower than SMC; - If the risk of anti-theft, maintenance or corrosion is considered in the long term, the total cost may rise.	To focus on long-term ROI or safe and stable operation, SMC has more outstanding overall advantages; cast iron can be selected first for extremely tight budgets or short-term projects.
  7	Environmental protection and carbon emissions	- The production energy consumption and carbon emissions are lower, in line with the trend of green environmental protection; - The waste recycling system is still developing.	- The metal recycling system is mature; - The smelting process has high energy consumption and high carbon emission pressure, and it is necessary to cope with increasingly stringent environmental protection policies.	In the current ESG and low-carbon policy environment, SMC can better demonstrate its environmental advantages; cast iron can rely on recycling, but high emissions are difficult to change.
  8	Design and aesthetics	- Flexible customization of colors, patterns, and brand logos; - Suitable for urban landscapes and high-end commercial projects, meeting the unity of aesthetics and functionality.	- Traditional appearance is stable and highly recognizable; - If delicate carvings or special spraying are required, the cost and construction period will increase.	In occasions that focus on visual or brand image, SMC customization is more attractive; ordinary public roads or industrial environments have a simpler and more direct demand for the traditional appearance of cast iron.

  

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