How polymer pipes are used for heating and their types

The organization of heating is based on preliminary planning. And in this case we are talking not only about calculating the power of heating equipment, nor about the length of heating communications. The material of the heating system itself is critical. Today, very few people choose metal heating pipes. The fact is that the market is able to provide a competitive solution that can not only match, but in many ways surpass metal in its technical characteristics.

Both the pipes themselves and the fittings are made of plastic, making polypropylene the dominant material in heating communications. Of course, the pipes have some metallization. And yet, the connection of plastic parts is carried out much faster and with better quality. At the same time, you can install the heating system even alone.

Main types of plastic pipes

The main raw materials for obtaining these high-tech building materials are polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyvinyl chloride. Pipes are used to transport gaseous and liquid substances of various pressures, chemical compositions, temperatures, therefore they are made of different strengths (flexibility), diameters and lengths.

When designing communications, wisely choose the type of pipe that has the necessary characteristics for its operation for a specific use. A huge advantage of all types of plastic pipes is their resistance to corrosion, which significantly extends their service life (at least up to 50 years).

To designate types of polymer pipes, a letter designation is used:

• polyvinyl chloride (PVC, PVK)
• polypropylene (PP, PP)
• polyethylene (PE, PE)
• made of cross-linked polyethylene (PEX)
• metal-plastic (PEX-AL-PEX)

Characteristics of polymer pipes

Plastics have penetrated into areas from the light industry to the food industry: pipe polymer has received recognition for its combination of strength and low price. The latter is explained by the elementary nature of production: the molten material takes on a given shape. The wear resistance of plastics is due to the properties of the material itself: the inability to decompose in soil and water, which green representatives never tire of reminding, is an advantage in this case. Polymer pipelines can be used for up to 50 years both indoors and outdoors under conditions of temperature changes.

Installation of polymer water supply

Advantages of plastic communications

The list of advantages of plastic is impressive. The production of polymer pipes allows us to obtain products with the following characteristics:

• chemical resistance is universal, plastic is passive to most common plumbing impurities;
• the pipes are elastic and have good shock absorption;
• the weight of the unit is 8–10 times lower than that of metal with a slight loss of strength;
• low thermal conductivity combined with increased noise insulation;
• resistance to temperature changes;
• minimal overgrowing of the internal diameter with lime deposits;
• bacterial resistance and counteraction to the spread of fungal spores;
• stability of the final finish, good compatibility with other polymers and paints.

Plastic internal sewerage

A significant advantage is simplified installation: polymer pipeline systems are assembled in a matter of hours without special equipment. Polymer pipes can be cut even with an ordinary hacksaw, and installed using both dismountable technology and monolithic welding.

Flaws

The list of shortcomings is modest:

1. Plastic expands when heated: when using polymer pipes for heating, you have to take into account the coefficient of linear expansion, entering this data during installation.
2. Heated plastic is vulnerable: it becomes softer, quickly deforms and can change shape when it hardens. This reduces the tightness of the system and can cause a man-made accident.
3. Plastics do not like direct sunlight; exposure to ultraviolet radiation can cause the material to lose its strength and deteriorate faster.

Water supply from polymer pipes

It is easy to take into account all problematic aspects during installation and warn: do not lay polymer pipes for water supply in an open way outside the room or replace some of the units located close to the heat source with reinforced elbows. In this case, part of the load will be taken on by fiberglass or metal: polymer pipes of this type expand less and withstand greater loads.

Main characteristics of PVC pipes

The very first models of plastic pipes began to be made approximately 80 years ago in Germany, namely from PVC, a synthetic environmentally friendly product. It is perfectly processed up to 5 times without losing quality. Depending on the purpose, pipes are produced in different colors using pigments, different widths, shapes (smooth, square, corrugated).

PVC belongs to the group of thermoplastics and is classified according to properties such as:

1. Diameter: small, medium, large (from 10 to over 225 mm).
2. Bend radius: ultra-flexible, flexible, rigid.
3. Installation type: indoor, outdoor, underground.
4. Working pressure: for a discharged environment, pressure, non-pressure.

Characteristics of PVC plastic pipes:

• Durable synthetic material that allows you to build a variety of sealed piping combinations.
• Relevant in earthquake-prone areas with moving soils.
• The products are light in weight, have an affordable price on the construction market, and have a long service life.
• Excellent dielectric.
• Pipes are easy to cut, quickly installed, and bend obediently.
• High level of protection against internal deposits, microbial growth, rotting and corrosion, does not condense.
• Used in the chemical industry (the material can withstand chemical and acidic environments), food industry, for cold and hot water supply, sewerage, and for laying (insulating) electrical cables.
• The material is resistant to UV radiation.
• Environmentally friendly for people and nature.
• Low flammability.

Methods for installing plastic pipes made of polyvinyl chloride

Structures made of PVC plastic pipes are mounted using a ready-made socket, gluing or an additional fitting. The socket has a sealing ring made of special rubber, which allows the pipes to be hermetically connected to each other. If necessary, fittings are used to connect a plastic pipe to a metal pipe.

The high thermal conductivity of polyvinyl chloride pipes sometimes requires additional insulation of the line. When purchasing pipes, be sure to study the characteristics and performance capabilities of the product.

Polypropylene pipes, general characteristics

Polypropylene pipes (PP) are plastic pipes with an aesthetic appearance and high anti-corrosion properties, used for heating, technical and food water supply. The environmentally friendly material is used for heating structures in residential premises for various purposes (homes, schools, hospitals). It is used to create a “hot floor” heating system.

If necessary, aluminum foil (reinforcement) is used, which enhances the properties of the pipe at high heating temperatures of the internal liquid, or pipes reinforced with glass fiber (three-layer) are used. For agriculture, sewerage, drainage, transportation of aggressive chemicals or compressed air, special PP pipes are manufactured with a current diameter of up to 160 mm and thicker walls.

The main advantages of PP pipes:

• They tolerate difficult transportation well, have increased strength and frost resistance.
• Installation is very simple, convenient assembly of structures.
• Very affordable price.
• Withstands internal heating up to +95C.
• The material can withstand high pressure.
• Operating temperature +65C.
• Excellent vibration insulation and sound insulation material.
• PP sewerage pipes have increased rigidity.
• Long warranty period (at least 50 years).

To build a drinking water pipeline, carefully study the characteristics of the product. If you purchase polypropylene pipes for heating, keep in mind that at high internal temperatures the pipes can expand. Use that subtype of PP pipes that has special performance indicators.

Installation of plastic pipes made of PP

The durability of communications depends on the quality of installation work. During installation, you may need additional elements: branching crosses, tees, adapters, plugs, bushings, clips, couplings, etc. Polypropylene pipes are connected using a soldering iron of the required power and welding. Do not overheat the attachments above the required temperature.

The pipe cut before welding must be smooth, it must be cut at a right angle. Be careful not to deform the pipe. Prepare reinforced pipes for welding according to the instructions. Aluminum must be cleaned from the edge. Do not use gasoline or solvent to degrease sections of polypropylene pipes and fittings. Use special trimming shears for plastic pipes.

If you decide to carry out installation without the help of professionals, then install the welding device only on a flat, stable surface and put attachments on the device when it is not turned on. To avoid injuring your hands from the high temperature of the device, protect yourself with construction gloves.

Wellplast polyethylene pipes, depending on the design, are divided into several types

The Hermes Group company is the largest Russian manufacturer of polyethylene pipeline systems for external water supply, gas supply, heat supply and sanitation networks. Working since 2006 , we have implemented more than 500 projects for integrated supplies of polyethylene pipe products to the largest industry and socially significant facilities. More detailed information in the section Implemented objects >>

Three own production sites , 300 professional employees, and customer service allow us to provide customers with the best service in the industry at all stages of the project, prompt production and delivery of materials to the site.

Manufacturing of products for a project, efficiency and reliability are the main criteria when choosing a Hermes Group company. We provide a full range of fittings and equipment for orders. At the customer's request, it is possible to produce welded connecting parts of the entire length.

Features and characteristics of PE plastic pipes

The main raw material for the production of polymer tubes from polyethylene is oil (petroleum ethylene). Smooth, corrugated plastic pipes made of PE are used for laying internal and external communication systems for various purposes. This type of polymer pipes is the most resistant to low temperatures down to -20C.

The main advantages of polyethylene pipes:

• Elasticity, strength.
• Resistance to aggressive environments.
• Dimensional stability over a relatively wide temperature range.
• It is produced with a diameter of up to 1600 mm (pressure) and can withstand high pressure.
• Heat resistant, anti-corrosion.
• It has several classifications with different characteristics (PE 63; PE 80; PE 100).
• No scale formation.
• Virtually no additional maintenance is required.
• The lightest in weight compared to other plastic pipes.
• Low cost, easy to install.
• Pipes do not burst when the liquid inside freezes and are capable of self-healing after the temperature normalizes.
• Can be reused.
• There are detachable and non-detachable ones.

They are used for water supply networks (food, industrial), heating, sewerage, gas supply, and transportation of various chemicals. Mounted by welding (butt, coupling) or using a compression fitting, steel flanges.

Description and purpose of the tube

Pneumatic polyurethane tube is the most common tube used for air supply. It is one of the most flexible and elastic types of pipes.

Polyurethane pneumatic tube is used in systems where the pressure does not exceed 40 atm. The material of the pipe affects the ability to withstand a given pressure.

Inner diameter – from 2 mm. Working pressure depends on material and inner diameter.

Pneumatic polyurethane tubes are used to supply air and water

Polyurethane pipe is designed to connect all components in standard pressure pneumatic systems for the purpose of air transfer. Used for gaseous and liquid substances. It is also used to lift liquids for hygienic, cosmetic and technical purposes in a variety of techniques.

Main characteristics of the material

Polyurethane (PU) pneumatic water pipes have the following characteristics:

• light weight, high elasticity and surface smoothness;
• resistance to abrasion and ultraviolet rays;
• resistance to hydrolysis (reaction with water), external influences: ozone, fuel, solvents, oils and microorganisms;
• flexibility, even at low temperatures;
• excellent abrasive resistance – ability to resist abrasive loads;
• no toxicity;
• good vibration damping;
• operating temperature range from -30°C to +80°C.

Advantages and disadvantages

Let's start with the shortcomings. High temperatures can cause the tube to “swell” and subsequently rupture. You should also take into account the low resistance of such products to acids, ketones and esters.

Compared to PVC pipes, the joining process is much more complicated. Unprofessional installation of the system significantly reduces its service life; for the same reason, connections may leak.

There are many more benefits.

• Good durability and easy installation. PU tubes are resistant to mechanical stress (compression, twisting, bending), so they can quickly restore their original shape after removing such loads. Pipes can withstand significant loads of several tens of tons.
• Installation of such products is called “connection in a minute.” This is a simple and cheap option. The work uses chemical cold welding, which does not require electricity and creates a strong monolithic connection.

Simple installation and reliable fastening

• Laying pipelines with polyurethane tubes is carried out without special preparatory work. This does not depend on the location and method of installation. Lay the pipes on a gravel or sand bed (concrete bases or supports are not needed).
• Durability. Systems made of polyurethane pipes are guaranteed to last for several decades, but in practice it can be longer (up to 30 years).

High density of the protective layer ensures long-term operation

• Environmentally friendly. PU tubes do not affect the chemical composition of the liquid being transported, therefore they are used when supplying drinking water.
• Fire safety. This material does not melt or burn during operation. Temperature for ignition – 482°С. These tubes have the lowest linear expansion coefficient.

New generation PEX pipes made of cross-linked polyethylene

The technological process for producing cross-linked polyethylene is carried out in several ways: chemical and physical. By adding certain catalysts that change the structure of intermolecular compounds (network), which change the quality of the material, giving it additional properties:

• They make it more flexible or harder and more durable.
• They do not react with acids, alkalis, or most organic solvents.
• Withstands large temperature changes up to +100C and does not crack.
• Do not decompose in biological environments.
• They have good elongation and tensile strength.
• Not subject to corrosion and plaque accumulation.
• High dielectric properties.
• Relevant for seismic zones due to the creation of durable inter-pipe combinations.
• High sound and thermal insulation, minimal vibration.
• Used for laying systems in the air, underground.
• Additional protection against the influence of oxygen and UV.

Pipes are recognized as a reliable insulating material for high voltage cables. They produce especially durable pressure pipes for water supply in multi-storey buildings. Pipes made of cross-linked polyethylene are widely used to create various heating systems, transport gas, chemicals and other liquids.

The difference between pipes made from this material and other plastic pipes is that PEX can be transformed. The material perfectly restores its previous shape if temperature changes or internal pressure occur in the system.

Installation of thermoplastic PEX pipes

The flexibility and lightness of the pipe allows installation in very difficult conditions using the pulling method. Structures are mounted using fittings using methods such as:

1. Professional electric welding installation is the most durable.
2. Non-compressive using press fittings, expander.
3. Compression method using compression fittings.

Do not use open flame during installation. If necessary, pre-fix the pipes with brackets, use gaskets and insulation. Use fittings made of the same material as the pipe. Avoid deformation of fittings and pipe cuts.

Plastic pipes

Plastic pipes form the youngest and most rapidly developing segment of the pipe industry, actively displacing steel and cast iron pipes from internal technical support systems and partly from trunk networks for various purposes, where the demand for traditional materials is still quite high and is due to:

• mainly by the need to lay networks of pipes with high annular rigidity, stable when exposed to significant loads of urban infrastructure;
• partly by the development and production of new types of pipes - multilayer with protective internal and external coatings, pre-insulated, etc. (see cast iron pipes Duker GmbH & Co. KGaA).

At the same time, in developed countries of the world, plastic pipes prevail in internal water and gas supply systems, sewerage, sewerage, heating, as well as in distribution networks of water and heat supply, sewerage, sewerage and drainage, and the general trend is to transfer distribution networks to plastic pipes called:

• relatively inexpensive production of plastic pipes;
• resistance of plastics to acidic and alkaline environments, saline solutions, etc.;
• low surface roughness of plastic pipes, which has almost no effect on the flow rate of the transported medium and eliminates the risk of formation of layers;
• the possibility of quick and less labor-intensive installation by horizontal directional drilling, relining, plowing, pulling into an existing pipeline with its destruction, punctures, etc. (see more details about methods of laying plastic pipes in this material);
• the ability to make operational connections, both between plastic pipes and with pipes made of other materials;
• the possibility of laying in a “snake” pattern without the use of special linear expansion compensators, etc. and so on.

The most popular plastic pipes for internal and external drainage, water supply and heating systems.

All plastics (plastics) are divided into three large groups - thermoplastic resins, thermosetting resins (phenolic, epoxy, polyester, etc.) and elastomers (synthetic rubbers - ethylene propylene (EPDM), chloroprene (CR), fluorocarbon (FPM), silicone (SI), natural (NR)). All plastic pipes are made from thermoplastic resins by polymerization (Polymerisation - the synthesis of polymers by adding molecules of a low molecular weight substance (monomer) to the active center), polycondensation (Polycondensation - the synthesis of polymers by the interaction of bi/or polyfunctional monomers and/or oligomers with the release of low molecular weight substances of the product) or addition polycondensation (Polyaddition - polyaddition, migration polymerization without the release of low molecular weight substances).

Thermoplastics used for the production of plastic pipes are divided into two groups - semi-crystalline with 40-50% or more structurally oriented chains of macromolecules and amorphous-crystalline with a proportion of randomly oriented macromolecules in the structure of more than 75%. The most prominent representatives of semi-crystalline thermoplastics are polyethylene (PE, Polyethylene), polybutylene (PB, Polybutene), polypropylene (PP, Polypropylene), amorphous-crystalline thermoplastics - polyvinyl chloride (PVC, Polyvinylchloride, polystyrene (PS, Polystyrene), polycarbonate (PC, Polycarbonate ), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS, Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene).The structural features of thermoplastics determine the basic physical and chemical properties of the material, as well as the ability of plastic pipes to be joined by fusion/welding (polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene) or gluing (polyvinyl chloride, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene).

Therefore, polyethylene pipes (high and low pressure - LDPE and HDPE, as well as pipes made of cross-linked polyethylene PEX) are well butt welded, polypropylene pipes (from polypropylene homopolymer PP-H, polypropylene block copolymer PP-B, polypropylene random copolymer PP-R and Beta-random copolymer polypropylene PP-RCT) are welded using socket fittings, and pipes made of polyvinyl chloride (unplasticized UPVC, chlorinated CPVC, modified PVC-M and structurally oriented PVC-O) and pipes made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene ABS are glued together with special compounds (see PVC pipes and fittings for adhesive joints). In addition, all pipes made of plastic - elastic semi-crystalline thermoplastics (polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene) are produced in measured sections and coils, and pipes made of plastic - rigid amorphous-crystalline thermoplastics (polyvinyl chloride, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) only in measured sections.

Multilayer plastic pipes.

All multilayer plastic pipes (see systems ISOPROFLEX, ISOPEX, Corsis PLUS, REHAU RAUTHERMEX, Casaflex, etc.) can be divided into three large groups:

• three to five-layer plastic pipes reinforced with aluminum foil (solid or perforated) or fiberglass threads in a layer of adhesive, intended for use in hot water supply and heating systems. Reinforcement of plastic pipes allows reducing the coefficient of linear thermal expansion by 3-5 times, increasing the operating pressure of the pipeline and its reliability;

• two- or three-layer corrugated plastic pipes, mainly used in distribution networks of water supply, sewerage, sewerage, and drainage. The outer corrugated layer performs a purely protective function, increasing the ring rigidity of the plastic pipe and its resistance to external loads;

• three or more layer plastic pipes with a protective outer shell and an insulating layer of foamed polymers (pre-insulated multilayer pipes). As a rule, pre-insulated multilayer plastic pipes are ready-made system solutions for distribution networks laid at shallow depths, often above the soil freezing level, without additional measures to insulate and protect the pipeline from external loads.

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Characteristics of metal-plastic pipes

Pipes are produced by combining layers of aluminum with plastic and have additional flexibility. Low cost, light weight, aesthetic appearance, durability, and the ability to control pipe stretching due to metal allow the use of MP systems for laying various communications and pipelines for transporting substances (gas, hot and cold water, compressed air, chemicals).

Installation of PEX-AL-PEX pipes is carried out using compression and press fittings:

Each type of polymer pipe has its own operational characteristics, rules of transportation and storage, and installation methods. Proper handling of pipes made from high-tech polymers will allow you to create durable, inexpensive and safe for human life, the ecological environment, and new generation communications.