In the process of repair or construction, the final quality of work depends on the choice of materials. Aluminum pipe thin-walled has many varieties. To properly apply the product, you should understand the features of each of its types. It is also important to understand the principle of installing thin-walled aluminum pipes. Subject to the rules of installation and operation of the product, it is not difficult to create a durable and strong system that is safe in everyday life.
What is thin-walled aluminum pipe?
The production of aluminum pipes is designed to meet the needs of maintaining the life of residential premises and buildings. There are a great many varieties of such products. Each of their types has a certain set of characteristics and has its own scope.
Thin-walled aluminum pipe has a material thickness of up to 5 mm inclusive. It has such qualities as reliability, resistance to low temperatures, as well asresistance to corrosion. Even in severe frosts, such pipes will be able to maintain their integrity.
The production of aluminum pipes is regulated by GOSTs 18475-82, 18482-79, 23697-79. Alloy pipes are manufactured in accordance with GOSTs 4784-97, 1131-76.
The positive quality of aluminum is its good thermal conductivity, which is also taken into account in the operation of products made from it. The scope of pipes extends from roof covering to pipeline fittings. Due to the softness of the metal, the products are easy to process.
Scope of application
According to its characteristics, aluminum pipes have a wide range of applications. It is rational to use this material in irrigation systems. This is fully allowed by its characteristics. Aluminum pipes are also used for sewerage, and in combination with titanium - for plumbing.
Thin-wall aluminum pipes are widely used in ventilation systems. Often used products to connect gas communications. Aluminum pipelines are found in the chemical and petroleum industries. The use of products of this type is cost-effective and efficient on a large scale, and for private consumers it provides high reliability and quality of communications of various types.
Pipe sections
Production of aluminum pipes provides many areas of consumption with the necessary types of products. Depending on the required requests, the pipes differ in section.
Round section is a hollow profile. Thin-walled round aluminum tubes are produced more frequently.
A rectangular section in the cut has the shape of the corresponding figure. This is one of the typical product types.
A square section is a hollow profile, the sides of which are equal to each other and are at right angles to each other. This is also the product type.
Profile pipe has a section of arbitrary shape and is most often made to order.
For water supply, sewerage, drainage, gas communications, a round section of pipes is most often used. In the case when building ventilation is equipped, sometimes square and rectangular types of products are used.
For production facilities or special systems of equipment, aluminum profile pipes are produced.
Types of pipes by processing technology
The production of aluminum pipes involves various methods of processing products. There are pipes:
- without temperature treatment (hot-pressed);
- hard-worked (strengthened at a temperature lower than recrystallization), are marked H;
- half-hardened - marking H2;
- annealed (hardened) - marking M;
- not fully hardened - grade T5;
- artificially aged - T1 marking;
- naturally aged - brand T.
Pipe production technique
Aluminum pipe is produced in three different ways.
First optionrepresents the deformation of the aluminum circle. This technology is characterized by drawing, calibration, flashing at low temperatures.
The second way is to press the material.
The third technology is the welding of aluminum sheet or strip. In this case, hot tempering is used to eliminate internal stress on the welds.
Profile of naturally aged and hard-worked type with a wall thickness of up to 10 mm is allowed to be produced without heat treatment. In the process of manufacturing non-standard pipes of round, oval sections, intermediate measurements of the outer diameter and thickness are made. For each object and substance transported through pipes, aluminum is subjected to a certain type of treatment.
View of inner and outer surfaces
There are a number of defects that must not be present on the final product. They cannot be used in the arrangement of facility communications, as they can reduce the strength of the aluminum pipe.
Unacceptable defects include:
- bundles;
- cracks;
- shells;
- non-metal additives;
- traces of s altpeter, corrosion;
- friability;
- strings;
- traces of overburning in hardened pipes.
It is acceptable for aluminum pipes to have phenomena that do not reduce strength:
- traces of the matrix and ring corrugations, provided that they do not go beyond the tolerances of the diameter;
- one fistula (tubular strip on the weld due to gas emissions duringwelding) per 100 m of pipe;
- reeling prints for pipes not less than 3 m long. They may be present at both ends of the product.
Alloy pipes
There are many options for manufacturing pipes from aluminum alloys with various metals. They are regulated by special quality standards.
The composition of duralumin pipes is considered the most popular alloy. This is a very durable material. Its alloy consists of aluminum, copper, manganese and magnesium. There are also alloys of aluminum with titanium. They are even used for arranging water pipes.
Copper-aluminum pipe is used quite often. It is not just an alloy of these two materials, but a combination of strong metallic bonds of the inner copper and outer aluminum layers. This product is used in heating and ventilation systems. The two-layer connection of materials makes it easier to design and gives strength, resistance to pressure in the system. A distinctive feature of copper-aluminum pipes is corrosion resistance. Due to the special behavior of copper in the presence of aluminum in it, special fittings are used for such pipes.
Duralumin pipes
Duralumin pipes are considered more popular than copper-aluminum thin-walled pipes. They are resistant to deformation, corrosion, lightweight, flexible, and easy to install. This thin-walled aluminum pipe is called D16T and comes with an inner diameter of 7 mm and a wall thickness of 0.5 mm. Letter "T" inmarking indicates that the material has undergone hardening and natural aging. The smallest size of the produced variety of these products is thin-walled aluminum pipe D16T 7˟0.5 mm.
The disadvantages of this type of product are poor resistance to electrochemical destruction, the inability to directly join duralumin pipes with cast iron and steel. Their cost is quite high. However, the main positive qualities more than cover all the limitations.
Pipe bending equipment
During the installation of pipes, they have to be bent, giving the system the desired shape. In order not to deform the inner diameter of the product, it is necessary to work with the help of special equipment called a pipe bender. They are of the following types:
- Crossbow pipe benders. Used for products of a certain diameter.
- Spring fixtures. Aluminum round thin-walled pipe is most often bent without deformation by this device.
- Segment type. Pulls the pipe around itself, giving it the desired bend.
- Dorn pipe benders. They do a good job when flattening pipes with a very small radius at home.
According to the types of drive, this equipment is divided into 3 types:
- manual, which are used to change the shape of small diameter pipes;
- hydraulic will help bend products up to 3 inches in section;
- electromechanical allows high precision conditioning.
Methods for bending aluminum pipes
It is quite easy to flatten aluminum thin-walled pipes at home using several techniques.
The first way is to use a special machine. She is given the required bending angle. Then the pipe is inserted into the vice, and the lever is reduced to the desired radius.
The second method involves the use of the Volnova machine. The pipe is inserted between the rollers. One of its ends is fastened with a clamp. The handle rotates the bracket. The roller will move after reaching the required level of bending.
The third technique uses a spring. It is selected in accordance with the diameter of the pipe. A wire is attached to the spring. A pipe is inserted inside, and the bending process is carried out. It's better to do it on a video. Using a wire, the product is removed from the equipment. The spring will help avoid deformation of the diameter of the product.
How to bend a pipe without a special tool?
In the arsenal of home tools, it is not always possible to find special equipment for pipe bending. If you need to perform this operation, you have to do with improvised means. An aluminum pipe, the GOST of which does not allow deformation of the sectional shape of the product, will require special actions.
Aluminum flattening requires a gas burner. The pipe should be fixed in a vice, and it is heated at the bend. This action can be performed when the temperature of the material reaches a level where a sheet of paper brought to it will smoke. If this action is taken withsquare pipe, you will need to resort to the help of a rubber mallet and two supports. Before the procedure, sand is poured into the pipe. It is sealed with wooden stakes. The action is slow, but the result will be good.
Even shaped aluminum pipes can be bent with improvised means. A tight spring should be installed at the bend, tying it with wire. Sand or water is also poured inside (if it is winter, and work is carried out in the cold).
These are quite simple but effective methods.
Welding of thin-walled pipes
The best way to connect metal structures is welding. It should be carried out in accordance with GOST 10704-91 using gas or an electric arc. Thin-walled aluminum pipe is connected in this way only by experienced specialists. If the diameter of the product is more than 40 mm, welding is carried out in stages. The first layer should be stepped, and the second one should be solid.
Initially, dots are soldered through one, and then the missing places are connected. After the first stage, the product is inspected for defects. When they are detected, errors are eliminated immediately.
Welding on subsequent layers is slow. In this case, the pipe should be rotated.
The end result should have an even, smooth seam that blends seamlessly into the metal. The junction in this case is even stronger than the material itself. Therefore, the reliability and durability of the connection by welding is guaranteed.
Understanding the principle of production, as well as the characteristics and features of this type of communication, such asthin-walled aluminum pipe, you can correctly use the product in the conditions of repair of both a small room and industrial complexes. Understanding the rules of installation and handling of the presented product, it is permissible to assemble the structure at home even without the help of special equipment.
