What are polypropylene pipes? What are the scope of their application, technical characteristics, what does their marking mean? In this article, we will try to understand all these issues. And to understand why this type of pipe structures is truly considered unique materials, without which today it is impossible to imagine the installation or repair of water supply, heating or sewer communications.
Polypropylene pipe - what is it?
Polypropylene is a type of thermoplastic polymer. It is made by combining (polymerization) molecules of ethylene gas derivative. The international designation of polypropylene is "PP". Next, we will take a closer look at polypropylene pipes: technical characteristics, properties and manufacturing technology of this new generation material.
Havingunique resistance to alkaline solvents and aggressive substances, the material is widely used in the installation of heating systems, water pipes and sanitary facilities. Can withstand low temperatures (up to -10 degrees) or high temperatures (up to +110 degrees).
The main properties of polypropylene pipes and their GOST
Modern polypropylene pipes, the technical characteristics and properties of which can be seen in the table, are reliable, durable and quite affordable. The main and indisputable advantage is the fact that they are not subject to corrosive processes, resistant to temperature conditions, easy to install, made of environmentally friendly materials. The main properties according to GOST are presented below.
GOST |
Parameter |
Indicator |
| DIN52612 | Thermal conductivity, at +200C | 0, 24 W/cm |
| 15139 | Density | 0.9g/cm3 |
| 23630 | Specific heat at +200С (specific) | 2 kJ/kgf |
| 21553 | Melting | +1490C |
| 11262 | Ultimate strength (at break) | 34 ÷ 35 N/mm2 |
| 18599 | Lengtheningyield strength | 50% |
| 11262 | Yield strength (tensile) | 24 ÷ 25 N/mm2 |
| 15173 | Expansion factor | 0.15mm |
A kind of polypropylene pipe. Scope of application
The latest technology for the production of plastic products is polypropylene pipes. Specifications are shown below.
- PN10 - thin pipe. The service life is approximately 50 years. It is used when installing cold water supply, floor heating (heat carrier temperature should not exceed + 450С). Standard dimensions: outside Ø 20÷110 mm, inside Ø 16.2÷90 mm, pipe wall thickness 1.9÷10 mm. Nominal pressure - 1 MPa.
- PN20 - this type of pipe is used in cold water supply systems in residential or industrial buildings or hot water (up to +800С). The service life is 25 years. Nominal pressure - 2 MPa. Dimensions: outer Ø 16÷110 mm, inner Ø 10.6÷73.2 mm, pipe wall thickness 16÷18.4 mm.
- PN25 - polypropylene pipe reinforced with aluminum film or glass fiber. By its properties it is identical to metal-plastic. The service life depends on the pressure inside it and temperature carriers. It is applied at installation of systems of heating and hot water supply. Nominal pressure - 2.5 MPa. Dimensions: Ø outside21, 2÷77.9mm, Ø inside 13.2÷50mm, pipe wall thickness 4÷13.4mm
Main advantages of polypropylene pipes
What are the indisputable advantages of polypropylene pipes? The technical characteristics of polypropylene, according to manufacturers, are truly amazing. It is considered a universal building material for the installation and reconstruction of utilities in residential and industrial complexes. They have been successfully tested in independent European and world laboratories and have confirming quality certificates. Consider the merits.
- Their main advantage is a long service life - about 50 years, and when used in a cold water supply system, they can serve up to 100 years.
- Due to the specially designed inner surface of the pipes, which is constantly in contact with water, no deposits form on their surfaces.
- Noise isolation. When transporting hot water from a heating medium or with a simple flow of water, noises can occur. Polypropylene is able to absorb them.
- No condensation. PPR polypropylene pipe is resistant to temperature changes due to low thermal conductivity.
- Light weight. Compared to their metal counterpart, they are 9 times lighter.
- Easy to install.
- Do not need additional maintenance.
- Resistant to attack by acid-base substances.
- The elasticity of the polypropylene pipe is very high.
- Affordable price.
Product data sheetpn25
Not so long ago, manufacturers developed and mass-produced a polypropylene pipe pn25. Its technical characteristics are described in detail in the product data sheet.
Feature name |
Values for polypropylene pipes: dimensions |
||||||
20÷3, 4 |
25÷4, 2 |
32÷5, 4 |
40÷6, 7 |
50÷8, 3 |
63÷10, 5 |
||
| 1 | Inner Ø | 13, 2mm | 16, 6mm | 21, 2mm | 26, 6mm | 33, 4 mm | 42, 0 mm |
| 2 | Specific heat capacity | 1, 75 kJ/kg0С | |||||
| 3 | Ø tolerance | +0.3mm | +0.3mm | +0.3mm | +0.4mm | +0.5mm | +0.6mm |
| 4 | Linear expansion, (1/0С) | 3, 5÷10-5 | |||||
| 5 | Heating time during welding | 5 sec | 7 sec | 8 sec | 12 sec | 18 sec | 24 sec |
| 6 | Roughness coefficient(equivalent) |
0.015mm |
|||||
| 7 | Cooling time, (seconds) | 120 sec | 120 sec | 120 sec | 240 sec | 250 sec | 360 sec |
| 8 | Ultimate tensile strength | 35 MPa | |||||
| 9 | Regulatory series | S2, 5 | |||||
| 10 | Elongation from break (relative) | 350% | |||||
| 11 | Weight (kg/linear meter) | 0, 175 | 0, 272 | 0, 446 | 0, 693 | 1, 075 | 1, 712 |
| 12 | Tensile Yield Strength | 30 MPa | |||||
| 13 | Melt flow rate (index) PPR | 0.25g/10min | |||||
| 14 | Thermal conductivity | 0.15W m/0C | |||||
| 15 | Heating time during welding | 5 sec | 7 sec | 8 sec | 12 sec | 18 sec | 24 sec |
| 16 | PPR modulus of elasticity | 900 MPa | |||||
| 17 | Depth of pipe socket (minimum) when welding | 14mm | 15mm | 17mm | 1 8mm | 20mm | 24mm |
| 18 | Pipe density (equivalent) | 0.989 g/m3 | |||||
| 19 | Volume (internal) running meter/l | 0, 137 | 0, 217 | 0, 353 | 0, 556 | 0, 876 | 1, 385 |
| 20 | Modulus of elasticity PPR + fiber | 1200MPa | |||||
| 21 | Size Ratio(Standard) | 6SDR | |||||
| 22 | PPR Density | 0.91 g/m3 | |||||
| 23 | Pressure (nominal), PN | 25 bar | 25 bar | 25 bar | 25 bar | 25 bar | 25 bar |
| 24 | Weld time | 4 sec | 4 sec | 6 sec | 6 sec | 6 sec | 8 sec |
Novelty in the metal-plastic industry with high quality and properties - polypropylene pipe pn25. Specifications are detailed in the table above. It was she who was able to solve the problem with a high coefficient of thermal expansion of plastic pipe products. This makes it possible to use it in the drinking water supply system, hot water supply, heating installation and other utilities. And also for transporting other liquids or gases that are not aggressive with respect to the materials from which they are made.
Design Features
Layers on the inside and outside are made of special grade PPR100 polypropylene. In it, the percentage of fiberglass fiber is at least 12%. The inner layer is made from the same material, but the fiber content is increased to 70%, and also with a red dye content. The presence of fiberglass fiber in the composition of the pipe reduces the level of deformation from temperature effects, but, unfortunately, cannot cope with oxygen diffusion.
What is the reinforcement of polypropylene pipes. Types of reinforcement
Consider universal reinforced polypropylene pipes, their technical characteristics, types of reinforcement, where they are used. Special reinforcement makes it possible to use it in a heating or hot water supply system. In addition, they are not only famous for their longservice life, but also high quality and efficiency. To date, there are two methods of reinforcing this type of product: fiberglass and aluminum. Let's consider each of them separately.
Fiberglass reinforcement
Fiberglass reinforcement is a three-layer pipe construction: two layers of polypropylene (internal and external) and a fiberglass layer. Marked as PPR-FB-PPR. Such an abbreviation in the marking confirms the monolithic structure and fiberglass reinforcement. This product does not need to be calibrated or cleaned during installation, experts recommend installing more additional fasteners during installation.
Aluminum reinforcement
Pipe products with such reinforcement are a material for the installation of heating or hot water systems with a high level of structural rigidity. They are identical in strength to metal counterparts with thin walls. On their surface, the PPR-AL-PPR marking must be present. Reinforced with two layers of aluminum: the first is perforated with small holes, and the second is solid and solid over the entire surface of the pipe structure. When installing heating, the pipe needs to be stripped of the aluminum layer, only the polypropylene layer is soldered. If the technology is correctly implemented, then the mounted system will work for many years without problems.
Polypropylene and its application in the sewer system
So we figured out thatpolypropylene as a pipe material is highly resistant to aggressive alkaline and chemical substances. Therefore, to the question "which pipes are better to choose for engineering communications?" the answer is unequivocal - modern polypropylene sewer pipes. Technical characteristics: stability, strength and durability. In addition to resistance to the effects of aggressive substances on them, and there are a lot of such in gutters, they will also last for a rather long period. They are not affected by corrosive processes in comparison with metal pipes. The length of the pipe for the sewer system is about 4 meters, the diameter of polypropylene pipes (technical specifications contain such information) is from 16 mm to 125 mm. That is, their scope in the sewerage system is quite wide. They are connected to each other by diffusion welding or using special fittings.
V altec polypropylene pipes
Today there are a lot of offers from manufacturing companies of these products for buyers in our country. And when choosing a material for laying engineering systems, it is sometimes quite difficult to make a choice in favor of one of them. In appearance, they are exactly the same, and differ only in manufacturing technology. And even then, if a person is incompetent in the issue of pipe products, then he is unlikely to understand the characteristics either. This is especially true for new firms that have recently appeared on the sales market.
Italian manufacturers "V altek"present to the buyer their new V altec polypropylene pipes. Specifications: excellent quality, new manufacturing techniques, durability and reliability. Moreover, this company has occupied a leading position in the sales market for several years. Its products have always been and are in demand. The quality is high due to the fact that the company keeps pace with the development of new technologies and introduces them into its production. Manufacturers give a 7-year warranty for goods.
The price of the entire range of products is quite affordable. There are always available integral for cold water supply systems and composite polypropylene pipes reinforced with glass fiber or aluminum with a section diameter of 20 ÷ 90 mm. Employees of the company are very closely monitoring the quality of products, so errors or deviations from the standards are completely excluded. Produced in special tubes up to 4 meters marked, with accompanying documentation and certificates.
PPRC pipes
These are pipes made of high temperature polypropylene. They are produced with a section diameter of 20÷160 mm. Reinforced with fiberglass or aluminum. Their main difference is small indicators of thermal expansion, low pressure loss. The production technology fully complies with GOST and the requirements of foreign standards. What are polypropylene pipes pprc? Specifications, properties and advantages of the plastic product:
- lowthermal conductivity;
- high level of sound insulation;
- resistance to corrosion processes;
- resistance to aggressive substances;
- high strength;
- bend more than once;
- environmentally friendly material;
- easy to install;
- affordable price;
- long service life.
Use of polypropylene in the water supply system
Plastic pipe products rapidly entered the list of popular building materials, polypropylene water pipes were no exception. Specifications, advantages and disadvantages are presented below.
Dignity:
- corrosion resistant;
- service life - from 50 years;
- zero conductivity, hygienic;
- easy to install;
- do not require additional care;
- affordable price;
- capable of withstanding pressure around 20 bar;
- excellent thermal insulation.
Flaws:
- cannot withstand temperatures over 1000C;
- no possibility of repair or repair;
- welding work required.
Available in different colors: grey, green, black and white. The color of the pipe does not depend on the properties and quality, except for black. It has the ability to protect it from ultraviolet radiation. Pipes are used to install the plumbing systemdiameter 16÷110 mm. For cold water supply, pipes labeled PPH homopolymer or PPB block copolymer are suitable. To supply hot water or heating, pipes marked PEX-AL-PEX are used. They are reinforced with either fiberglass or aluminum.
Classification of polypropylene pipes
All polypropylene pipe products are classified in a certain way.
- PPB - marking means that these are pipes with a high level of mechanical strength, polypropylene pipes are used for heating. Features: Reinforced (fiberglass or aluminum foil), strong, durable, affordable.
- PPH - marking of products with large diameters. Used in ventilation systems or cold water systems.
- PPR is the most popular and versatile brand. Its versatility lies in the fact that it is able to endure high temperatures of the water flow. Used in hot water and heating systems.
All these three brands differ from each other only in the type of plastic used in the manufacture. They contain special additives that make them more elastic and durable.
