Polypropylene pipes: technical characteristics, application

What are polypropylene pipes? What is the scope of their application, technical characteristics, what does their labeling mean? In this article we will try to understand all these issues. And to understand why this type of pipe structure is truly considered a unique material, without which it is impossible to imagine the installation or repair of water pipes, heating or sewerage systems.

Polypropylene tube - what is it?

Polypropylene is a kind of thermoplastic polymer. It is produced by the method of combining (polymerization) molecules of a derivative gas of ethylene. International designation of polypropylene "PP". Further we will consider in detail polypropylene pipes: technical characteristics, properties and manufacturing technology of this new generation material.

Having unique resistance to the influence of alkaline solvents and aggressive substances on it, the material is widely used in the installation of heating systems, water pipes and sanitary facilities. Can withstand low temperature conditions (up to -10 degrees) or high (up to +110 degrees).

Basic properties of polypropylene pipes and their GOST

Modern polypropylene pipes, technical characteristics and properties of which can be seen in the table, are reliable, durable and quite affordable. The main and indisputable advantage is the fact that they are not subject to corrosion processes, they are resistant to temperature conditions, easy to install, made of environmentally friendly materials. The main properties according to GOST are presented below.

A variety of polypropylene pipes. Scope of application

The newest technologies for the production of plastic products are polypropylene pipes. Technical characteristics are presented below.

• PN10 is a thin tube. The service life is approximately 50 years. It is used for installation of cold water supply, warm floor (the temperature of the coolant should not exceed + 45 ⁰ С). Standard sizes: Ø outside 20 ÷ 110 mm, Ø inside 16,2 ÷ 90 mm, wall thickness of pipe 1,9 ÷ 10 mm. The nominal pressure is 1 MPa.

• PN20 - this type of pipe is used in cold water supply systems in residential or industrial buildings or hot (up to +80 ⁰ C). The service life is 25 years. The nominal pressure is 2 MPa. Dimensions: Ø outer 16 ÷ 110 mm, inner Ø 10.6 ÷ 73.2 mm, wall thickness 16 ÷ 18.4 mm.
• PN25 is a polypropylene pipe reinforced with an aluminum film or glass fiber. In its properties is identical to metal-plastic. The service life depends on the pressure inside it and the temperature carriers. It is used for installation of heating and hot water supply systems. The nominal pressure is 2.5 MPa. Dimensions: Ø outside 21,2 ÷ 77,9 mm, Ø inside 13,2 ÷ 50 mm, pipe wall thickness 4 ÷ 13,4 mm

The main advantages of polypropylene pipes

What are the indisputable advantages of polypropylene pipes? Technical characteristics of polypropylene, according to the producers, are truly amazing. It is considered a universal building material for installation and reconstruction of engineering communications in residential and industrial complexes. They successfully passed tests in independent European and world laboratories and have confirmatory certificates of quality. Consider the merits.

• The main advantage of them is a long service life - about 50 years, and when used in a cold water supply system can serve up to 100 years.
• Due to the specially designed internal surface of the pipe, which is constantly in contact with water, no deposits on their surfaces are formed.
• Soundproofing. Noise may occur during the transport of hot water from the coolant or with a simple flow of water. Polypropylene is able to absorb them.
• Absence of condensation. Polypropylene PPR pipe is resistant to temperature changes due to low thermal conductivity.
• Light weight. Compared with their analogue of metal, they are 9 times lighter.
• Ease of installation.
• In the additional service do not need.
• Resistance to the influence of acid-base substances on them.
• The elasticity of the polypropylene pipe is very high.
• Affordable price.

Product data sheet pn25

Not so long ago the producers developed and produced a mass production polypropylene pipe pn25. Technical characteristics of it are described in detail in the product passport.

A novelty in the metal-plastic industry with high quality and properties is the polypropylene pipe pn25. Technical specifications are detailed in the table above. It was she who was able to solve the problem with a high coefficient of heat expansion of tubular plastic products. This makes it possible to use it in the system of drinking water supply, hot water supply, heating installation and other utilities. And also for the transport of other liquids or gases that are not aggressive towards the materials from which they are made.

Design Features

The layers on the inner and outer sides are made of special polypropylene grade PPR100. In it, the percentage of fibrous fiber is at least 12%. The inner layer is made of the same material, but the fiber content is increased to 70%, as well as the red dye content. The presence of fiberglass fiber in the pipe reduces the level of deformation from temperature influences, but, unfortunately, can not cope with oxygen diffusion.

What is the reinforcement of polypropylene pipes. Types of reinforcement

Consider universal polypropylene pipes reinforced, their technical characteristics, types of reinforcement, where they are used. Special reinforcement makes it possible to use in the heating system or hot water supply. In addition, they are not only known for a long operating period, but also high quality and efficiency. To date, there are two methods of reinforcing this type of product: fiberglass and aluminum. Let's consider each of them separately.

Reinforcement with fiberglass

Fiber reinforcement is a three-layer pipe construction: two layers of polypropylene (inner and outer) and a layer of fiberglass. It is marked as PPR-FB-PPR. Such an abbreviation in the marking confirms the monolithic structure and reinforcement with fiberglass. During installation, this product does not need to be calibrated or stripped, experts recommend installing more additional fasteners during installation.

Aluminum reinforcement

Tubular products with such reinforcement - a material for the installation of heating systems or hot water supply with a high level of rigidity of structures. They are identical in strength to metal analogues with thin walls. On their surface, PPR-AL-PPR marking must be present. They are reinforced with two layers of aluminum: the first is perforated with small holes, and the second is solid and solid throughout the surface of the pipe structure. When installing heating, the pipe needs to clean the aluminum layer, only the polypropylene layer is soldered. If the technology is properly implemented, then the mounted system will work for many years without problems.

Polypropylene and its use in the sewage system

So, we found out that polypropylene as a pipe material has a high resistance to the impact of aggressive alkali and chemical substances on it. Therefore, the question "which is better to choose pipes for engineering communications?" The answer is unambiguous - modern sewer pipes are polypropylene. Technical characteristics: stability, strength and durability. In addition to resistance to the influence of aggressive substances on them, and there are a lot of such in drains, they will also last for quite a long period. They can not be affected by corrosive processes in comparison with metal pipes. The length of the pipe for the sewage system is about 4 meters, the diameter of polypropylene pipes (technical specifications contain such information) are from 16 mm to 125 mm. That is , their area of application in the sewage system is quite wide. They are connected with each other by diffusion welding or by means of special fittings.

Valtec pipes made of polypropylene

Today, there are a lot of proposals from the companies-producers of this product for the buyers of our country. And when choosing the material for the laying of engineering systems, it is sometimes difficult to make a choice in favor of one of them. In appearance, they are absolutely identical, and differ only in manufacturing technology. And then, if a person is incompetent in the issue of pipe production, then he is unlikely to understand the characteristics either. This is particularly true for new firms that have recently appeared on the sales market.

The Italian manufacturers of Valtec represent the buyer their new polypropylene pipes Valtec. Technical characteristics: excellent quality, new manufacturing methods, durability and reliability. Moreover, this company has been in the forefront of the sales market for several years. Its products have always enjoyed and are in demand. Quality is high due to the fact that the company keeps up with the development of new technologies and introduces them into its production. For the product manufacturers give 7 years warranty.

The price for the whole range of products is quite affordable. In the presence there are always integral for cold water supply systems and composite polypropylene pipes reinforced with fiberglass or aluminum with a cross-section of 20 ÷ 90 mm. Employees of the company closely monitor the quality of products, so errors or deviations from the standards are completely excluded. It is produced in special tubes up to 4 meters with marked markings, with accompanying documentation and certificates.

PPRC pipes

These are pipes made of high-temperature polypropylene. They are produced with a diameter of 20 ÷ 160 mm. Reinforced with fiberglass or aluminum. The main difference between them are small indicators of temperature expansion, low pressure loss. The production technology fully complies with GOST and the requirements of foreign standards. What are polypropylene pprc pipes? Technical characteristics, properties and advantages of a plastic product:

• Low thermal conductivity;
• High level of sound insulation;
• Resistance to corrosive processes;
• Resistance to corrosive substances on them;
• High strength;
• Resistance to bending more than once;
• Environmentally friendly material;
• Simplicity in installation;
• affordable price;
• Long service life.

Use of polypropylene in the water supply system

Plastic pipe products quickly entered the list of sought-after building materials, with the exception of steel pipes polypropylene water pipes. Technical characteristics, advantages and disadvantages are presented below.

Pluses:

• Resistant to corrosion;
• Service life - from 50 years;
• Zero conductivity, hygiene;
• Ease of installation;
• Do not require additional care;
• affordable price;
• The ability to withstand a pressure of about 20 bar;
• Excellent thermal insulation.

Disadvantages:

• Do not withstand a temperature of more than 100 ⁰ C;
• No repair or repair;
• Welding is required.

Produced in different colors: gray, green, black and white. The color of the pipe does not depend on the properties and quality, except black. It has the ability to protect it from ultraviolet radiation. For the installation of the water pipe system, pipes with a diameter of 16 ÷ 110 mm are used. For cold water supply, PPH homopolymer or PPB block copolymer pipes are suitable. Pipes marked PEX-AL-PEX are used for hot water or heating. They are reinforced with either fiberglass or aluminum.

Classification of polypropylene pipes

All products of tubular products from polypropylene are classified in a certain way.

• PPB - marking means that they are pipes with mechanical strength of increased level, polypropylene pipes for heating are used. Product specifications: reinforced (fiberglass or aluminum foil), durable, durable, affordable.
• PPH - marking of products having large diameters. Used in ventilation systems or in cold water systems.
• PPR is the most popular and universal brand. Its versatility lies in the fact that it is able to withstand high temperatures of the water flow. Used in hot water systems and heating systems.

All these three brands differ from each other only in the type of plastic used in the manufacture. In their composition there are special additives that make them more elastic and durable.