PEX pipe – pipes made of chemically modified polyethylene. The technology of production and modification of polyethylene pipe to create a higher quality characteristics and possessing new properties.

pex pipe

This is achieved through a special technology so-called crosslinking, which provides the molecules crosslink polyethylene. This process makes PEX Pipe PEX so dense and strong.
Basic properties of PEX pipes

# Flexibility and memory shape.
# Stability at the maximum temperature up to +95 degrees Celsius and a maximum atmospheric pressure to 10 atm. We should respect the rules and operating conditions.
# Application antikislorodnogo barrier, which prevents the penetration of oxygen into the tube, which ensures long life PEX pipes
# The smoothness of the inside of the tube, which prevents accumulation of dirt and mud. This property guarantees the longevity of the pipe and the purity of water supplied.
# Resistance to chemical influences, solvents, allowing use of plastic pipe and for the filing of fluids in the workplace.
# High elasticity of the pipe, which prevents the formation of cracks and wrinkles, even with prolonged exposure and heavy load, including at high temperatures.
# Resistance to abrasion. This property provides a long service life PEX pipe even in areas that are subjected to constant mechanical stress.
# High resistance to electric current. PEX pipe, as any polyethylene pipes are resistant to stress and do not conduct current. This allows their use in all institutions, residential zhomah and enterprises.
# High strength. Technologies and production methods PEX pipes, you can create high-strength pipes for water supply, gas supply, sewage systems and other life support systems.

Polypropylene tubing and fittings are designed for domestic hot and cold water, warm floors and wiring of central heating systems with operating temperature up to +95 C.

Use polypropylene tubes can be virtually any of the existing date fields where tubing are used: to take stock of drinking water to supply coolant to the radiator, drainage, irrigation, etc.

Also, what is particularly valuable, PEX belongs to a class of polyolefins, and like all members of this class, is an environmentally friendly product, transferring their money on products made from it and ensuring the security of the process.

To this we can only add that the reliability of welded joints – the highest as compared with other methods and approaches in strength to the tubing itself.

Polypropylene tubes are undeniable advantages:

* Low cost
* Easy installation
* Speed of installation in the polypropylene tubes 5-7 times faster than the metal
* Reliability and durability of polypropylene tubing meet the highest requirements
* Polypropylene tubes can be used, while maintaining their original characteristics over 50 years in the cold water and at least 25 years in systems for hot water and heating.

Today the building is widely used PEX tubing. On the positive properties of PEX is its reduced flammability and increased chemical resistance compared to other polymers. It is also less sensitive to UV radiation.

Compared with polyethylene, PEX tubing have higher performance. PEX has the lowest coefficient of thermal linear expansion compared with other polymers are used: for comparison – 2 times smaller than that of polypropylene.

Among the general advantages of PEX tubing should be attributed durability and environmental friendliness.

PEX tubing are absolutely smooth, so a minimal resistance to fluid motion, not corrode and have a high plasticity.

Making a decision of what material to choose tubing for the construction of various engineering systems, especially when it comes to external networks, pay attention to the substantial difference in assembly technology systems. Thus, for polyethylene tubing should be expensive, energy-intensive and heavy welding equipment, work which requires highly skilled personnel (important human factor, which can not be avoided!), As well as certain working conditions. In the case of PEX tubing – installation requires a very simple lever hardware. Installation of PEX tubing takes much less time than the welding of polyethylene tubing.

The main areas of PEX tubing are a drain system and the external and internal drainage.

For PEX tubing is characterized by one common factor – an excellent price / quality ratio.

In the process of mounting a smooth butt end of a pipe a few not brought all the way to funnel the other, so that a gap is formed between them, which compensates for the linear extension of the pipeline, resulting in transportation via pipeline of hot water. Required number of such compounds at each site is determined by calculation.

The smooth inner surface of polypropylene tubes, first, reduces the likelihood of them dirty, and secondly – can run them with fewer, than in the case of cast iron sewer pipes, slopes.

P. 17.9 SNIP 2.04.01-85 * “Domestic water supply and sewerage of buildings” regulates the use of plastic pipes in sewage systems, including in terms of fire protection requirements.

In the sewerage systems of buildings polypropylene pipes and fittings are recommended for transporting waste liquids with constant flows of 80 ° C, while the polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride – a temperature of 60 ° C. 4.1.1 SP 40-102-2000 (domestic sewage systems of buildings should be mounted out of sewer pipes, designed for transportation of waste water at a constant temperature above 75 ° C) makes polypropylene tubes in preference to pipes of other materials.

Pipes for sewage systems are manufactured according to specifications ASTM 4926-005-41989945-97 “Tubes and pipes of polypropylene for drainage, fittings, in accordance with ASTM 4926-010-419899-45″ Parts molded from polypropylene for sewage pipe ” . All products have certificates of conformity.

The material of choice for domestic handmade now – it polypropylene-Rand (Type 3) and PVC. How do they differ? PVC pipes more “hard”, ie less elastic than polypropylene, so their installation in the open more aesthetic (not to be “curves” pipe), the more they are less afraid of sunlight. Bonding in hard to reach places easier than welding (PVC connected to the adhesive, and polypropylene welded special apparatus). However, unlike polypropylene, PVC pipes expensive. Fittings of metal usually PVC, which requires caution when installing. For the same reason, the radiator PVC pipes must be connected through metal reducers. A variety of fittings, combination of threaded adapters “on metal”, valves and fittings for polypropylene pipes produced much more than for PVC. Price welding machine for polypropylene – from 100 to 300 $.

The second lesson will focus on ways to connect plastic pipes. The author would be grateful for any comments and additions on the article.

Unfortunately, PVC – a very common plastic. Find it everywhere you can. In the apartment he found most often in the form of linoleum (except for some expensive brands), vinyl, plastic window frames, plastic toys (from dolls to children’s dental rings). PVC also make different kinds of packages, including for food products: bottles, packets, etc.

Buy something from PVC, remember:

- To give flexibility to PVC it is often added to the so-called plasticizers – phthalates or phthalate esters, which hit the body can cause liver and kidney, reducing the protective properties of the body, infertility, cancer. PVC may also contain other harmful substances: cadmium, chromium, lead, formaldehyde.

- Particularly dangerous PVC combustion. It is known that the combustion of 1 kilogram of PVC produces up to 50 milligrams of dioxins. This is quite sufficient for the development of cancerous tumors in laboratory animals 50 000.

- There is no safe processing technologies PVC. It is virtually impossible to re-use and comes in the furnace in incineration plants (incinerator) or to landfill. Dioxins, tirelessly manufactured incinerators apply to hundreds or thousands of kilometers.

- Production of an PVC windows leads to the formation of about 20 grams of toxic waste. A renovation of the entire apartment with the use of materials made of PVC, entails the formation of 1 kg (!) Of toxic waste.

- In one year, factories producing PVC, emit several thousand tons of vinyl chloride, endangering the health of workers and residents of nearby settlements.

- The production of PVC is also used chlorine, so in its manufacture and disposal in the environment, a large amount of dioxins – highly toxic substances that cause cancer and undermine immunity.

How to identify products made of PVC?

In civilized countries of the goods from PVC usually put special markings – the number “3″, surrounded by arrows. Some manufacturers simply write PVC or Vinyl. In Russia, unfortunately, goods made of plastic little marked. However, PVC can be distinguished on several grounds:

* Bending packaging line bending appears white band;
* PVC bottles have a bluish or blue color;
* Another distinctive feature of packaging made of PVC – the seam on the bottom of the bottle with two symmetric rolls.

Avoid PVC!

Manufacturers of PVC asserting that without that plastic can not do, but it is clear that in most industries PVC can be replaced with wood, metal, glass, “chlorine free” plastic.

Many manufacturers have already replaced the linoleum PVC rubber and other materials. Do not forget also that the floor is always possible to cover the good old wooden parquet. Window frames made of PVC can easily be replaced by solid wood or aluminum. Pipes can be installed from polyethylene, steel, copper, carbon steel, earthenware. PVC cables, plugs, sockets, electrical sockets, as well as the range, recycle bin for paper, pens, etc. can be substituted analogues of polyethylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate, polyamide, silicone.

Toy PVC is also a much safer alternatives: first, toys, polypropylene and polyethylene, as well as fabric, wood, etc. Plastic bags can be replaced with reusable packaging, made from environmentally friendly materials: paper, glass, fabric. Instead of vinyl is better to buy paper, and bathroom and kitchen tiles to choose (or waterproof emulsion paint – this type of paint is enough eco-friendly).