Metal pipes are now used less frequently than before, and plastic have come to replace them. It is distinguished by reliability, convenience and low cost. In plastic low heat, but high resistance to external influences, making it the market leader.
The impact of temperature and pressure requires the use of materials that are able to handle the load. It is recommended to purchase products with a margin, or change the settings will result in an accident.
Content:
- Advantages and disadvantages
- Types of plastic pipes for hot water
- How to choose a plastic pipe for hot water
Advantages and disadvantages
The material does not corrode and does not rust, it is not formed by coating. He does not clog the inside. With proper installation service life is 50 years, which is unattainable for the metal. Plastic does not blossom and not moldy.
Another advantage of plastic compared to metal is in the setup procedure. For the installation requires a special soldering iron, the value of which is small compared with the welding machine. Use it anyone can. It is easy to transport, because it has a small size and weight.
Disadvantages:
- Fire hazard.
- Restriction of use.
- Toxicity.
Plastic is flammable. This leads to the fact that the fire the fire spreads rapidly and release toxic substances. Some materials create hazardous compounds in contact with water and are suitable only for technical lines.
There are the following features:
- Long service life.
- Little weight.
- Easy installation and replacement.
- Low thermal conductivity.
- Resistance to external influences.
- Flexibility and elasticity.
- Cheapness.
Due to the peculiarities of its structure, the plastic does not react with water and does not corrode. It does not require the use of additional insulation.
Easy to transport due to low weight. Installation is not a problem, because it requires a special soldering iron and scissors. When a fault occurs, part of the line can be easily removed and replaced.
Plastic - flexible material, and therefore the line is compact. You can make a dent in the wall and install the back line, which saves space.
Types of plastic pipes for hot water
Selection of pipes for hot water is important, because they are regularly subjected to load and temperature fluctuations experienced in the range of 25-95about FROM. This causes a change in length, that in small rooms is not allowed due to the number of anchorages, and the lack of joints.
One of the best characteristics of the random copolymer has (PPR). The inner surface does not allow the material to expand. It has a high rigidity and a low oxygen permeability. Highway does not sag, which has a positive effect on the service life even without the installation of expansion joints. It is possible to purchase products reinforced reinforcing layer.
Polyethylene plastic using a special marking. Need to buy products with a red line along the entire length. They are safe and have the necessary quality for use in high-temperature pipes.
Another view - double layer of polyethylene and an additional winding. Products using Kevlar (reinforcing property) yarns can withstand 40 atmospheres. Cheap options with polyester yarns are used in lines with pressures up to 25 atmospheres.
Aluminum foil, as a component has high strength. But such pipes is difficult and costly to handle and install. The use of glass fiber has no such problems, because in this case applied the standard technology.
metal and plastic include properties of plastic and metal. They are light weight and good flexibility. Metal and plastic lines are not subjected to temperature fluctuations or corrosion, while maintaining performance.
Installation of plastic is to use a method of diffusion bonding. For this purpose a special device, the cost of which is low. Use it easily, so the installation is done on their own. After the compound obtained whole line.
How to choose a plastic pipe for hot water
Choose the products you need, taking into account temperature range. This will help the international ISO standards, which are used by manufacturers to indicate the kinds of plastic products.
- Class №1 (suitable for water up to 60 ° C, lifetime - 50 years).
- Class №2 (Working heat of 70 ° C, shelf life - 50 years).
- Class №4 (used for low-temperature radiator heating or underfloor laying; pipes in this class must always be used in different ranges (up to - 70 ° C).
- Class №5 (used for high-temperature radiator and withstands heating to 90 C, operates on a similar principle to the class 4; service life - 50 years).
Selection of pipes for hot water is carried out with regard to their appearance. They need to look beautiful, be smooth, with perfect internal and external diameters, with a clear section on the cut, without damage and voids in the structure.
As for the outer and inner layer, which is divided glass fibers, it has a different slice thickness. The main thing is to pay attention to external and internal surfaces. Outside, they must be homogeneous and have a holistic color. Quality products have blurred or indistinct markings because of this carefully monitored.
Assess the quality of products helps smell. If welding they emit an unpleasant smell - a sure sign of poor quality. It is important to select the correct fittings. They should firmly be joined with pipes for hot water. They are connected by force, in a heated state. Sign of a marriage is the free play of the fitting. To avoid this problem, get a part of the manufacturer.
Apart from the above parameters, the selection is based on the following figures:
- Operating pressure.
- Reinforcement.
- Diameter.
Is applied on the pipe and markings on these figures is defined by the working pressure. Limiting the pressure exceeds the above. Plastic is able to withstand fluctuations, but the higher the score, the better. When the temperature increases, the strength decreases with the permissible pressure.
An important parameter - the reinforcement. Such pipes are characterized by strength. If you are buying authentic products from the manufacturer, the reinforcement is made of both aluminum and fiberglass. Both options are long because of the improved properties.
Regarding the choice of diameter, it is necessary to select on the principle that an internal section of plastic pipes for hot water greater than the internal cross-section of risers.
Selection of plastic pipes for hot water should be made taking into account the specifics of production. Plastic is considered to be strong, but at a temperature of more than 140C it becomes soft and melts. Firms that sell products to indicate the allowable temperature of 90C.
For example, the plastic line is purchased from the maximum allowable temperature of 100C. Hot water reaches 95-97C, flowing tube and deformed. The situation will end litigation, and if the pipe is installed correctly, the manufacturer will lose and pay the cost of goods sold, indemnify flood and moral compensation.
The amount of losses for the company will be substantial. Realizing this, the allowable temperature deliberately understated, which reduces the risks of products to a minimum. If the line does not survive, it will have to solve problems on their own - the company does not compensate.
Plants make large batches of products. Ensure the quality of all the tubes impossible. The production technology is not perfect, so part of the item is defective: change in composition or the component ratio, insufficient wall thickness in certain areas.
Get out of the situation it is possible in 2 ways:
- Strengthen the control of the party and send back for revision.
- Reduce the maximum threshold temperature 10-15C.
The second way does not require any additional costs, so most producers received thus understating the characteristics of the product. Consider this when choosing necessary, otherwise set the line can not sustain and leak.
Highway residential building limited by the temperature 90-95 C, as stipulated in the regulations. In this case, most of the hot water pipes are able to withstand a load and bring problems over the years. There are certain factors that affect the temperature.
Climate has a direct influence. The lower the temperature, the more heat is lost.
Increase the heat radiators can be 2 ways:
- Increase water temperature.
- Increase the number of heat sources.
Raise the temperature is possible, but will increase and the load. In reality, the coolant temperature reaches 100C or more. If less than the limit line, it will cause an accident.
We should not exclude human error and improper operation. For this reason, choosing hot water pipes need to reserve. Variations in temperature should not lead to impulses. Proper installation will ensure the service life of over 50 years.
