Types of pipes: overview, characteristics, installation features and feedback

When the pipeline is laid, the durability and reliability of the system are determined by the choice of pipes. They must have a long service life, and also exhibit resistance to corrosion. An important factor is also affordable. Almost all types of pipes, which are offered today by the modern market, to some extent meet the listed requirements. However, they should be chosen taking into account the purpose and diameter.

Main types of steel pipes

Considering the types of steel pipes, it is important to pay attention to the method of their manufacture. In the production process, it is possible to obtain welded or seamless products. The last version has a higher reliability, but the cost will be higher. Steel pipes are characterized by:

• Plasticity;
• Less weight;
• Strength;
• The ability to undergo high internal pressure.

The size of such products is determined by the internal conditional passage. All kinds of steel pipes have one big drawback, which is expressed in low corrosion resistance. Producers try to eliminate this minus by applying anticorrosion coatings or conducting at the stage of production of alloying additives that make it possible to produce stainless pipes.

Considering the types of pipes that are made of steel, it is necessary to distinguish galvanized, not requiring additional protection. Staining should be carried out only in the places where the thread was applied. Galvanized products are sometimes called tin, they are used to equip gutters, heating systems and water pipes.

Considering the types of pipe connections , it should be noted that electric welding is the most suitable method for steel products . Weldability of pipes is reduced if the chemical composition contains a large amount of carbon. This process can also be hampered by the zinc coating.

The main types of metal pipes

Specialists of their field should know the types of metal pipes, among them it should be noted:

• Aluminum;
• Copper;
• Steel;
• Cast iron;
• Titanium.

They are used today in almost all areas of industry. From black tube products, pressure and non-pressure products are produced, which can become part of lightly loaded or power metal structures. Such products are also used for the arrangement of air ducts and casings. They are characterized by high ring stiffness, as well as the ability of high resistance to longitudinal and transverse loads. These types of pipes are not devoid of shortcomings, which are expressed in susceptibility to corrosion and high cost.

Peculiarities of installation of metal pipes

When assembling steel structures and pipelines, four main ways of joint processing are used:

• soldering;
• Bell joint;
• welding;
• threaded connection.

Welding and soldering are all-in-one, and the last type of processing is practiced in lightly loaded systems. This includes household heating or measuring instruments. With the help of welding, you can achieve impressive results. This method of installation is used not only in industry, but also in everyday life.

The other types of pipes can be mounted with detachable joints, this includes the socket and the thread. In the latter case, the ends and fittings are made with finished threads. The profile can be trapezoidal or triangular.

The end is installed in the fitting, and the junction must be supplemented with a lock nut with a seal. The socket is installed even easier, for this purpose a smooth butt is introduced into the end of the fitting. The resulting joint site should be insulated with a sealing solution or a cable that is a resin rope.

Variety of profile pipes

If you are interested in the products described in the article, you should also consider the types of profile pipes. In form they are:

• Square;
• Flat-oval;
• Rectangular;
• Oval.

For each variety there is a certain scope of use. For example, flat-oval has a high flexibility, which allows the use of such pipes in the furniture industry, where there is often a need for the manufacture of decorative elements.

Square and rectangular views of profile pipes have such dimensions that it is convenient to use in the construction of structures laid on a flat surface. Use such pipes in the role of building fittings and when creating spacer frame structures.

The main types of plastic pipes

Types of plastic pipes are presented today for sale in a wide range, among them it should be noted:

• PVC.
• PP.
• PE.
• REX.
• PEX-AL-PEX.

The first abbreviation is deciphered as follows: polyvinyl chloride, while the second one assumes pipes made of polypropylene. The PE designation indicates that you have polyethylene pipes in front of you, whereas the wired propylene is designated by three letters - PEH. The last of the above-mentioned designations indicates metal-plastic pipes.

Technical characteristics of plastic pipes

Having considered all kinds of pipes made of steel, you can learn more about plastic products. For example, polypropylene pipes can be four meters long, while the diameter varies between 16 mm and 1.25 m.

Connect the pipes with fittings or with the help of special equipment, which is called the apparatus for thermoplastic welding. Polyethylene pipes are used for the installation of external and internal piping systems under pressure. The standard pressure is 6 atmospheres, which is true for pipes marked "C". Pressure increases to 10 atmospheres, if it is a question of pipes under the marking "T".

If we compare these types of pipes, then we can state that polyethylene products are to be laid even at the lowest temperature, when the thermometer's column drops to -20 ° C. When the diameter varies from 20 to 63 mm, the products are joined together by rubber seals or rings. You can use couplers for electric welding.

When the diameter increases to 60 mm and reaches a mark of 160 mm, the connection is made solely by means of butt welding. Now you know the diameters, types of pipes, but it is important when considering plastic products to know that they can be divided into low and high pressure pipes. Non-pressure have a diameter in the range from 50 to 110 mm. Such pipes are used for laying sewage systems.

Feedback on the cast pipes of the REX

According to buyers, such cross-linked polyethylene pipes are used for heating and water supply systems. They are laid by the method of joining parts. These pipes are quite widely used for installation of underfloor heating systems and melting snow. To prevent the penetration of oxygen into the tube, consumers are advised to cover them with a diffusion barrier.

Reviews about metal-polymer pipes

These pipes were invented not so long ago, but have already gained popularity. They first appeared in England, and already today consumers use them quite often. They are made of materials with the addition of heat-resistant polyethylene, conventional polyethylene and aluminum. Buyers choose metal-plastic pipes for the reason that they are capable of undergoing heavy loads.

They can be used even for systems that will come into contact with drinking water. Allowed a small thermal expansion during their operation. Buyers stress that there are almost no external changes and wear during use. They can be joined in one of two ways, namely by pressing and screwing.

Peculiarities of installation of polypropylene pipes

Such pipes should be fixed to the walls with the help of clamps, passing the products in them. It is important to remember that in the arrangement of heating systems, polypropylene pipes should not be brought to the boiler equipment. Their connection is carried out using adapter fittings, which are interfaced with a metal pipe. The length of the latter should be 0.5 m.

If you compare the welded joints with the screw joints, the first ones are not serviced, which is why it is possible to lay such products inside the wall. However, previously the system is checked for leaks and reliability. The same recommendation applies to the conclusions made by crimping inserts.

Conclusion

Cast-iron pipes today are still quite common. But recently they have been refused in favor of products from more modern materials, which were described above.

This is due to the specific features of cast iron, because it is not recommended for use in weak soils, as well as in areas where seismic hazard is high. Among other things, such pipes have an impressive weight, their fragility is increased, and the production takes a lot of metal. Making pipes of small diameter is completely problematic.