If you want to mount the water, sewerage or ground communications in recent years have increasingly used polyethylene pipes. This is caused by their positive qualities: they are easy to use, they are available and durable. In this article, we shall understand the differences between these products and how easy it is to connect plastic pipes, without the help of professionals.
Characteristics polyethylene pipes
As for the physical parameters of the product, they are largely dependent on the production of the material. Polyethylene - a popular type of plastic used to make many products, including the pipeline. The material is very popular among the artists due to its important advantages, is what sets it apart from alternative products. Key features include:
- Resistance to ultraviolet sunlight and high humidity - special action modifier added in the production process;
- Acid, alkali and alcohol components have no effect on the material;
- Pipes for water supply polyethylene have a small measure of density, which affects the weight of the final product;
- The product can easily withstand a higher temperature which will not affect the shape and structure;
- Good elasticity;
- Due to the low weight of polyethylene products did not sink in the water, it is easy to transport and unload.
Due to these properties of the active material such demand in the production of pipes. Of products collected for water, sewer and gas systems.
Let us examine the basic characteristics, which include:
- Indicator operating temperature and pressure;
- Diameter;
- Specific gravity;
- Bandwidth;
- Strength;
- Possible elongation at rupture or heating;
- Stability when exposed to temperature;
- Life time.
Working temperature
The manufacturer indicates that the temperature of the working medium passing through conduit polyethylene should not exceed 40 degrees Celsius. Such products are marked in blue (for gas products have a yellow label). The minimum possible temperature - 0 degrees.
Regardless of the specified operating range, polyethylene pipes able to withstand temperatures up to 80 degrees Celsius, of course, not permanently, but temporarily. If in winter the water freezes inside, the product does not spoil, but only a little stretch.
Operating pressure
On this parameter is influenced by many factors, such as:
- Polyethylene which brand is used. For example, PE32 has low strength, whereas PE80 and PE100 - high-strength materials;
- How thick walls. It ranges from 2 to 60 mm, and the thicker the product, the more it will withstand the pressure;
- Diameter. From this index force of pressure in the pipeline depends.
The average operating pressure for the production of polyethylene ranges from 6 to 16 atmospheres. To find the value, it must be found on the product labeling, going after the letters SDR.
Diameter
Manufacturers produce products whose diameter may range from 10 to 1200 mm. For pipelines laid in the apartment or a private house, enough product 20 mm in diameter. The larger figure is relevant only for the trunks which supply water to large industrial facilities or an residential areas.
Specific gravity
To determine the specific gravity of the product is necessary to know its diameter and wall thickness. It is calculated as follows:
- Product measured radius and area is calculated per meter;
- Area multiplied by the wall thickness of the product and a density material.
capacity
This parameter depends on the presence of roughness in the article. In polyethylene production the figure is small - 0.1. This allows the use of thinner PE pipes, as compared with metal products.
Strength
Manufacturers consider this option and manufactured products to ensure a safe operation, as the aqueducts, and pipelines. Safety margin shows what the maximum load can withstand pipe.
Heat resistance and elongation
These settings affect the plasticity of the product. Before plastic products goes on sale, it carefully examined and subjected to various tests. Their course was revealed that polietelin does not break, but only slightly stretched. The maximum allowable pressure for the mechanical PE80 - 16 MPa.
If the product to high temperatures, its length can be increased by not more than 3%.
mounting Features
sewer
Installation of plastic pipes from HDPE with your hands is not a big deal. To connect the product with the tees, angles and couplings used rubber O-rings. The pipe is inserted into the socket, which applied a little effort. If the tightness level is insufficient, use silicone sealant.
Laid pipes is also not difficult: the product attached to the wall or ceiling by means of special latches latches. Recent screwed to the wall with screws simple.
Note! If the installation is not guided by the aesthetics, it is possible to make a kind of bracket - drive into the prepared holes in the wall bracket in steel and bend the ends. This optimal method than the use of standard fasteners, since it allows to position the pipe at some distance from the wall surface.
Electrical
In the course of using both smooth and corrugated products. In this case, polyethylene is advantageous because of its flexibility and elasticity.
Installation pipes IPA carried hidden in the wall on the surface or in the ground (if necessary to provide protection for the cables).
In the latter situation, the importance played by a tight seal. This can be achieved in two ways:
- Do butt-welding or couplings;
- Implement cased hot pipe in the socket. To this heated tube is inserted into another socket where it deforms and fills all the available space while providing the desired level of tightness.
Water pipes
Compound pipes made of crosslinked polyethylene in this case is also performed in several ways. It is necessary to pay attention to the pressure indicator in the water.
One of the options - the use of compression fittings. This method is the most popular because it makes it easy to connect the small diameter products. Described fittings are made up to 110 mm tubes, but they are optimal for a 32 mm products. The principle of operation is similar to the installation of plastic water pipe, with one difference - the split ring is replaced by a rubber seal. The procedure is as follows:
- First, prepare the end product and is cut at an angle of 90 degrees (in this case a convenient tool used for mounting pipes of crosslinked polyethylene - cutter);
- On top of the product put on the union nut and O-ring made of rubber;
- Pipe inserted into the fitting;
- Union nut is screwed on top of the thread.
As is evident, additional equipment is required, and the method of installation is key advantage - work simple and dismountable connection is obtained. In the process of repair of such pipes are not required sophisticated tools: all that is needed - to cut the damaged section and install in its place a new tube.
You must make sure that you use high-quality rubber seal. If he messed up, that is, the probability of a leak.
In another method for topical application of fittings diffusion welding. following procedure: heated inner surface of the fitting and the pipe exterior on the soldering iron, after which it was inserted into the fitting. There is one caveat - this compound is non-separable. If such pipes need repair, it is necessary to use a special soldering iron, whose function - to restore the tightness.
Note! Before collecting such a connection is necessary to remove the chamfer on the outside of the product. To weld the place gave no leak, there should be irregularities and burrs.
Another way - butt welding. The method is relevant when laying large diameter products. From a technological point of procedure is as follows:
- Products of the Center;
- Between their ends located electric heater;
- It is removed at the beginning of melting pipes;
- Once the connection has cooled, it is considered ready.
This type of connection provides 80-90% strength, as compared with a monolithic product. How to connect pipes IPA this method is clear, but there is one feature - professionals recommend to use the method only with tubes at least 5 mm thick.
If the required connection with steel pipes of polyethylene, here will flange having the form of a threaded part. It is supplemented by a rubber seal, ensuring a proper level of tightness. Before proceeding to draw attention to some of the features:
- The flanges having the hub bearing cone form suitable for pipes, whose cross section of more than 200 mm;
- Flanges Direct collar suitable for mounting light tubulars diameter of 150 to 300 mm.
Flanged joint water supply of polyethylene pipe is not difficult: the product is cut at the point where it will be carried out and the connection to this place stretched flange. On top of the rubber gasket is installed. For mating with mating flange using bolts (tighten to gently so as not to damage the plastic products).
conclusion
Polyethylene pipes are widely demanded in modern construction due to its key advantages. There are several ways to install them, depending on the destination of the pipeline. All the procedures are quite simple and can perform their own hands, without resorting to the help of experts.
