Polypropylene pipes ˗ is an excellent alternative not only to metal products, but also to pipes made from other polymers. The results of the analysis of the characteristics of polypropylene water pipes indicate their versatility. They are suitable for use in various fields. Most commonly, these pipes are used in cold and hot water supply systems.
Polypropylene pipes - a modern material for water supply
Content
Benefits
In favor of choosing polypropylene pipes for water supply, they have the following advantages:
- resistance to various types of influences;
- durability;
- reliability;
- ease of installation.
Polypropylene pipes for water are not afraid of significant temperature changes. Even if the pipe freezes, it will not only not lose its integrity, but will not deform after thawing. In addition, such products successfully resist the effects of aggressive reagents.
Due to the increased strength, polypropylene pipes are able to withstand high pressure in the line (10 ... 20 atmospheres). To guarantee that leaks are avoided, it is necessary to select pipes that are suitable for the value of this parameter for different segments of the pipeline. So, for the most critical areas it is recommended to purchase products from reinforced polypropylene.
Helpful advice! The cost of the pipe depends on the range in which the pressure of the medium can fluctuate. The higher the upper limit, the higher the price of one linear meter of the pipeline. But durability can be excessive! Therefore, in order not to overpay, when choosing, carefully read the technical specifications of polypropylene pipes.
The durability voiced by manufacturers of polypropylene pipes for cold and hot water supply is about half a century. More precise data are not known, since polypropylene was obtained in 1957, and it was not possible to produce pipes on an industrial scale only in the middle of the 60s of the last century. That is, the predicted service life is only coming to an end, and many polypropylene pipelines put into operation still work today. It is possible that modern science and industry will develop more efficient technologies. Therefore, modification of existing polypropylene pipelines will be required, and not a complete replacement of water supply systems.
The properties and characteristics of these pipes allow their use not only in everyday life, but also in industrial facilities
Simple installation is one of the main arguments in favor of choosing these products. Polypropylene Pipe Joining Procedure It does not require the contractor to have special knowledge and high qualifications. Following instructions and basic skills is enough. Of additional accessories required fitting, and equipment for heating and welding.
How to choose polypropylene pipes for water supply
For the right choice of pipe, you should study the features of the products.
Marking and characteristics of pipes
The most important consumer characteristics are given to polypropylene by various additives: plasticizers and inhibitors.Experts identify 4 types of products made from this material. The marking of polypropylene pipes for water supply must include the Latin letters PP (polypropylene ˗ English). This beginning of the designation is common to all products of this type. And the subsequent combination of letters indicates additives present in polypropylene. To choose the pipes correctly, you need to know what properties they give to the final product.
PPH. This hard plastic is a polypropylene homopolymer. It does not withstand exposure to high temperatures. Therefore, PPH polypropylene is mainly used in the production of polypropylene pipes for cold water supply. In addition, it is recommended to choose such a product to create an air conditioning and ventilation system.
PPB This block copolymer is a mixture of polypropylene with polyethylene. The content of the latter component in the total mass is up to 30 percent. Thanks to this solution, the final product combines the positive properties of materials - resistance to both low and high temperatures and high flexibility. Therefore, pipes, in the labeling of which there is a sequence of letters PPB, are successfully used in the arrangement of underfloor heating.
Different additives to the main raw materials give the pipes some properties
PPR (PPCR). The molecular chain of this type of polypropylene contains ethylene molecules. This ensures uniform distribution of the load across the pipe wall thickness, which leads to a very long service life of the cold and hot water supply system, because PPR polymer is not afraid of pressure surges.
PPs. This material is characterized by excellent user characteristics and a very high threshold for heat resistance. If you are looking for the answer to which polypropylene pipe for hot water, it is best to buy a PPs product. This will be the best choice in terms of price / quality ratio.
As you can see, the same material is not always suitable for solving several problems.
Important! Manufacturers recommend the use of pipes made on the basis of PPR material if the temperature of the liquid does not exceed + 70 ° C.
Classification of polypropylene pipes
To select pipes suitable for the intended operating conditions, it is necessary to take into account not only the type of polypropylene, but also the technical characteristics of the products themselves. You can find out about them by marking the pipes.
- PN10. So the polypropylene pipe for cold water supply is designated. Products of this category are used when creating water supply systems, the water temperature in which does not exceed + 20˚С;
- PN16. Pipes marked with this sequence of characters are also used in cold water pipelines, but with high pressure;
- PN20. These are universal products. They can be used both for hot (water temperature should not be higher than + 80˚С), and cold water supply;
- PN25. This marking refers to products reinforced with aluminum. Polypropylene pipes for hot water of this type can withstand pressure up to 2.5 MPa.
The service life of polypropylene water supply pipes, depending on the water temperature and pressure limit, is presented in the table below.
| Temperature, ˚С | Service life, years | The most admissible pressure. Unit of measurement - kg / cm² | ||||
| PN25 | PN20 | PN16 | PN10 | |||
| 20 | 10 | 33,8 | 21,7 | 21,7 | 13,5 | |
| 50 | 32,4 | 25,8 | 20,7 | 12,8 | ||
| 50 | 10 | 21,7 | 20,5 | 17,3 | 12,9 | |
| 50 | 18,4 | 14,7 | 11,7 | 7,8 | ||
| 70 | 10 | 13,3 | 10,7 | 8,5 | 5,3 | |
| 50 | 10,8 | 8,5 | 6,7 | 4,3 | ||
| 80 | 10 | 10,8 | 8,7 | 6,9 | 4,3 | |
| 25 | 9,1 | 7,4 | 5,8 | 2,7 | ||
Having studied this table, you can make the right choice of pipes made of polypropylene for water supply, taking into account their service life.
Aluminum reinforcement gives pipes extra strength and high pressure resistance
Reinforced polypropylene pipes
It should be noted that when arranging hot water systems, laying will facilitate the use of reinforced products. This is due to the presence in propylene pipes of a tendency to extreme elongation with increasing temperature.For this reason, the pipe joints may be depressurized.
In order to prevent this phenomenon, pipe wiring must be carried out with all care. Fulfillment of this requirement increases the amount of labor and, consequently, the cost of the created hot water system. The choice of reinforced polypropylene products will save you from this drawback. In this case, the achievement of the required technical characteristics of polypropylene pipes for hot water is ensured by their reinforcement, performed by one of the following methods:
- fiberglass reinforcement. The monolithic structure is obtained by sintering layers of polypropylene with the addition of fiberglass;
- the use of an additional layer of polyethylene. It is not laid outside, but inside the product;
- reinforcement with a layer of foil. The place of laying is the middle of the walls of the polypropylene pipe for hot water.
Such technologies increase the service life of pipes, their strength and at the same time they do not rust from the inside.
Fiberglass Reinforced Pipe Segments Easiest
The first method was most widely used, since this option of amplification does not cause installation complexity. The product obtained using this technology is easily soldered. Therefore, the use of polypropylene pipes for hot water supply, reinforced with fiberglass, is recommended in areas where it is supposed to perform frequent cutting and joining of water supply segments.
Helpful information! According to experts, the right choice is to equip the water supply system with components with different technical characteristics. This will ensure the efficiency of the water supply system and its long service life.
But such a technical characteristic as high elasticity limits their scope and service life. And the increased ductility forces to limit manufacturers in the diameter of products. Today, the maximum value of this parameter for fiberglass reinforced polypropylene pipes is 63 mm.
The combination of these factors is the reason that experienced craftsmen often choose aluminum-reinforced products when choosing polypropylene water pipes (both hot and cold). The legitimacy of such a solution lies not only in the fact that the maximum diameter is 2 times larger, but also in their high rigidity. The latter factor increases the life of the water supply system.
