Types and marking of polypropylene pipes for heating

For the construction of communication systems necessary for heating the air in residential and office space, a variety of materials are used. It is necessary to carefully consider one of the most popular options - polypropylene pipes for heating.

They are somewhat inferior to steel and metal-plastic products, but surpass their characteristics in a number of indicators. In this article, we take a closer look at the existing types of polypropylene pipes, their labeling features, advantages and disadvantages of using.

And also we will pay attention to installation of the pipeline from polypropylene and we focus attention on secrets of welding of pipes from this material. In addition, we will consider the best manufacturers who supply quality products to the market at an affordable price.

Polypropylene and its properties

Polypropylene (PP) is a polymer that belongs to the group of thermoplastics, that is, substances whose properties vary depending on the temperature of the environment.

At 140 ° C products from this type of plastic soften, and at 170 ° C - melt. The maximum temperature for their use is 120 ° C.

When using PP products it is important to note that this type of plastic has a pronounced thermal expansion. At high temperatures, polymer parts can expand significantly, for example, the length of a three-meter pipe increases by 3 cm.

Advantages of polypropylene pipes

Made from this type of polymer products have many advantages:

• have a complete design without a longitudinal seam;
• plastic parts are not subject to corrosion;
• have light weight, facilitating transportation and storage;
• can be used even with high pressure;
• easy to install, which allows you to assemble structures yourself, without the involvement of professionals;
• polypropylene products can be operated for a long time (50 years or more);
• the cost of such elements is lower than their counterparts (steel, metal-plastic);
• have low thermal conductivity, thereby reducing heat loss to a minimum;
• do not freeze at sub-zero temperatures;
• they practically do not create hydraulic resistance, which allows the water flow to move without noise and vibration;
• polypropylene products are considered environmentally friendly, they do not emit harmful substances, and water does not acquire foreign odors;
• similar elements are hygienic: polymers do not contribute to the development of single-celled plants and microbes;
• polypropylene products have an aesthetic appearance; they do not require painting or other finishing.

However, to take advantage of all these benefits, you need to properly pick up pipes for water supply or heating.

GOST for plastic pipes

Although there is no separate standard for polypropylene pipes, their quality and characteristics are noted in one GOST R52134-2003. It lists the standards for mounting elements (pipes and fittings), made of thermoplastic materials, which are used for heating utilities and hot water.

These standards apply to products made from the following types of polymers:

• polybutene (PB, PB);
• polyethylene (PE, PE);
• Chlorinated (PVC-C, CPVC) and unplasticized (PVC-U, NPVH) polyvinyl chloride (PVC);
• cross-linked polyethylene (PE-X, PE-C);
• polypropylene, polymers of the same group (block copolymer, homopolymer, random copolymer).

The document also regulates the dimensional characteristics of the pipes, conditions of use and all sorts of technical qualities, such as margin of safety, maximum temperature / pressure (they determine the category to which this or that product belongs).

GOST R 52134-2003, in the development of which international standards and requirements for thermoplastic pipes were taken into account, can be used to assess the quality of polymer elements.

It should be noted that GOST R 52134-2003 in no way contradicts GOST 18599 (standard products made of PE) and GOST 51613 (standards for PVC), and complements them.

PP pipes are used for various construction works:

• at arrangement of the centralized heating;
• organization of boiler installations;
• cold / hot water pads;
• device risers;
• installation of "warm floor".

In addition, similar elements can be used in agriculture for the construction of drainage systems and diversion of soil waters, as well as in industry for the transport of chemicals, including aggressive environment.

Types of propylene pipes

Since products from this type of plastic are available in a wide range there are several types of classifications.

Different colors

The assortment of polypropylene pipes are products of different colors. The most common assembly elements are white, green, gray and black.

As a rule, the shade of products is chosen arbitrarily and depends on the design of pipes and manufacturers (some companies traditionally produce pipes of the same color, for example, green).

The only exception is plastic products of a radically black shade. As a rule, this color is an indicator of the maximum level of UV protection.

Constructions of different types

According to the internal structure, all polypropylene pipes can be distinguished into two fundamental categories:

• single-layer, consisting of one layer of plastic;
• multilayered (reinforced) of several shells, which consist not only of plastic, but also of materials that strengthen the structure and create a strong frame.

Reinforced structures are preferable to single-layer, since in this case the temperature elongation of the pipe is significantly reduced.

Varieties of multilayer pipes

There are several options for multilayer pipes. Aluminum and fiberglass are most commonly used for reinforcement.

Pipes reinforced with a continuous sheet of aluminum foil. In the manufacture of such products on the outer side of the polypropylene billet is applied a smooth thin sheet of silver metal.

Before installation, such pipes must be cleaned by cutting the foil at a distance of about 1 mm from the edge. Skipping this process adversely affects the quality of the seam, which will turn out loose and unreliable.

Mounting elements, perforated aluminum sheet reinforcement. One of the layers of such pipes is a foil with holes punched in it. As in the previous case, before using such parts, they should be cleaned.

It is important to take into account that products with perforated foil are characterized by a high oxygen permeability coefficient, therefore they should not be combined with heating boilers or similar equipment.

Pipes with a core reinforced with a sheet of aluminum. In this case, the products are enhanced in the middle or even the inside, so you can do without stripping before starting work.

Glass fiber reinforced parts. Of this durable material, the pipe core is most often produced, while its internal and external parts are made of polypropylene.

Composite reinforcement. For greater strength, a middle layer of composite material is also made in the pipes, which combines polypropylene glass fiber. Such pipes also have high consumer properties and do not require stripping before use.

A variety of multilayer PP elements are pipes in which an additional layer of plastic is provided. Such products can well withstand high temperatures, but it does not exclude the contact of the transported liquid and the reinforced layer.

In addition, coatings in such products are often glued together with glue, which under certain conditions can lead to delamination.

Marking of products from polypropylene

All pipes made of this type of plastic are coated with a certain combination of letters and numbers, which contain an exhaustive characteristic of such products.

Pipe Material Designation

In the first place is usually put the name of the manufacturer, followed by the type of material from which the product is made.

There are several types of plastic:

• PPH (PPH, PP-type 1, PP-1). Homopolyer is the simplest type of polypropylene for which raw materials are used with a small amount of modifying additives that increase impact strength. Products in this category usually have a large diameter. They are used in the systems of ventilation, drainage, external water supply (cold).
• PPB (PP-type 2, PP-2, PPB). These letters denote a more complex type of PP - block meter, which is characterized by a special molecular structure. Thanks to this plastic has a high resistance, which allows it to be used to create high-strength elements, installation of floor heating systems, communications for cold water supply.
• PPR (PPRС, ППР, РР-3, PPR, PP-random). A type of polypropylene is a static copolymer (random copolymer). The crystalline arrangement of the molecules in this material allows it to withstand wide temperature fluctuations, as well as shock loads. Copolymer pipes, whose diameter can vary from 16 to 110 mm, are used for laying water supply, heating systems, sewage systems.
• PPs (polyphenylsulfide). The polymer has a great resistance to high temperatures and physical stress, as well as improved strength, durability. The diameter of this type of pipe may be in the range of 20-1200 mm. Products are used in various areas of construction work: ventilation, heating, hot / cold water.

Different manufacturers can use all sorts of material markings, but the letters PP always indicate that the pipe is made of polypropylene.

Maximum working pressure

Following the designation of the material, it is mandatory to indicate the working pressure, which is indicated by two letters - PN - and numbers indicating bars (kg / square centimeter).

Such a combination of numbers and letters reflects the nominal pressure that pipes in which water flows with a temperature of 20 ° C over 50 years of operation can withstand.

The range of manufacturers includes products with markings. PN25, PN20, PN16, PN10. Of these, only the first two options can be used for heating systems and hot water supply.

It should be noted that the maximum pressure that PP pipes can withstand is much higher. It is also important to note that when the water temperature rises, the resistance of the pipe to loads decreases greatly (at 90 ° C, the pressure drops from 20 to 6.5 bar).

Pipe diameter designation

The following digital designation (from 10 to 1200) informs about the outer diameter of the pipe, specified in millimeters.

Products of various types are used in various fields of construction and installation works:

• 20mm pipes are used to perform intra-apartment wiring;
• 25mm - for risers of five-story work;
• 32 mm - for risers of buildings with 9 or more floors.

For ventilation systems and drainage elements are used with a diameter of 400 mm and above.

The diameter of polypropylene pipes used for heating depends on factors such as temperature and the volume of fluid that will be transported through the mounting element. This value is closely related to the wall thickness of the pipes, as well as the pressure that polypropylene parts can withstand.

Other indicators of polypropylene products

In addition, the marking also includes the following data:

• Product design (single layer, labeled).
• Date of issue. The combination allows you to find out the last two digits of the year, as well as the month and decade when the pipes were produced.
• Batch number, shift number, production line series where the products were manufactured.
• Information about GOSTto which the product corresponds (for domestic goods), as well as information on certification and the existing quality mark.

Some types of polypropylene pipes may also contain additional information on the label.

Installation of systems from PP pipes and fittings

Polymeric parts are easily interconnected by means of fittings and adapters, or by the method of polyfusion welding, for the implementation of which a special welding machine with nozzles. Using these methods, you can assemble systems of various configurations.

The device of the heating system made of polypropylene does not require much time and special skills - it is enough to have some skills in plastic processing and proper selection and installation of fittings.

And also follow a few simple rules:

• All work must be carried out at a positive temperature (> 5 °).
• It is necessary to protect polypropylene elements from contact with open fire.
• On the PP parts threading is prohibited.
• Before starting work, it is necessary to carefully inspect products to prevent contamination and damage.

Since polypropylene has a linear expansion, when installing parts it is necessary to provide for the use of compensators, which are made of the same material as the pipe. Such elements are installed in the places hidden from the eyes, which are better to choose in advance.

If, when laying a large-scale communications section, the installation of a compensator is difficult due to lack of space, it is desirable to provide in the scheme a gap of 5-10 mm, provided for on the linear expansion.

It should be noted that the coefficient of expansion is less for pipes reinforced with aluminum than for their analogues with fiberglass, but the latter are never torn.

Welding of heating pipes

For welding elements it is necessary to use a special soldering iron, the regulator of which is set at 270 ° C.

Features of the choice of temperature of the soldering

When soldering, it is important to consider the ambient temperature: if the process occurs outside or in a cold room, the nozzle will cool down quickly.

For comfortable work in this case, it is better to increase the duration of the process or increase the welding temperature. It is desirable to lengthen the time of soldering also in the case of connection of PP pipes having a large diameter. Detailed information on the soldering temperature with examples of specific values ​​we gave in this article.

Step by Step instructions for welding pipes

For soldering two sections of the pipe, made of polypropylene, it is necessary to do a number of operations.

First of all, you need to measure the lower part of the pipe, and then cut it with a special tool - pipe cutter. If an aluminum-reinforced part is used for installation, you must first get rid of the upper and middle layers. Burrs are also removed from the trimmed and cut end of the element.

By means of a marker on the pipe, the depth of the planned occurrence of the fitting is noted. In order to prevent a narrowing of the passage, it is necessary to provide in the intervals a small (1 mm) interval between the protrusion and the end of the fitting. On the surface of the pipe and the fastener component, the connection point is marked with a marker.

The elements are simultaneously mounted on two nozzles of the welding machine and heated up within 5 seconds (the period can be extended when using large parts). After they are sufficiently heated, the blanks must be removed from the nozzles and put them together on the applied marks, pushing towards each other and pressing down evenly (but not screwing, as this may break layer).

It is important to control fasteners from all sides to prevent distortions in the radial / axial directions. The coupling should smoothly reach the rim, as a result of which an annular bulge will appear on the pipe, the so-called flange.

The seam cools down within 10-30 seconds, during which it is necessary to check the flanging uniformity, and if necessary, make a slight correction of the joint.

After that, you can proceed to another phase of work, a plan which is better to develop in advance.

When welding with plastic pipes, it is important not to overheat the workpieces, which is easy to determine by the darkening of the material. At excessively high temperatures, polypropylene can melt and clog the pipe, blocking the inside.

To avoid errors during soldering and disastrous consequences as a result, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with welding rules.

Polypropylene tube manufacturers

Polypropylene mounting elements are produced by various domestic and foreign companies.

The products of German firms are especially famous: Akwatherm, Rehau, Banninger, Wefathermwhich is distinguished by the highest quality and excellent design. The disadvantage is that the price is too high.

Czech brands are not less popular. FV-Plast, "Ecoplastics". Users on the forums are distinguished by a special elasticity of similar products, which facilitates the processing (for example, cutting) of pipes these brands, and in some cases even allows you to adjust the size of the cut off section, stretching it a couple centimeters.

Turkish manufacturers are also widely represented on the Russian market. Vesbo, TEBO, Jakko, Firat, Pilsa, Kalde.

Among the many Chinese goods worth paying attention to the mounting elements Dizayn, Blue ocean. They are characterized by excellent performance and budget price.

Do not bypass the products of Russian companies. Products of firms "Polytec", Heisskraft, RVK, PRO AQUA, Santrade pleased with both quality and price.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

The presented video will tell and show you how to navigate a wide range of plastic products for heating utilities.

Choosing products made of polypropylene, you need to get acquainted with their characteristics to determine exactly how the pipe of one type or another corresponds to the goal you need..

As a rule, in the descriptions of the product there are technical characteristics of products, as well as their intended purpose, which allows you to make an error-free choice.

Picked up polypropylene pipes, but doubt their quality? Ask our experts and users for advice - many experienced home craftsmen will be able to share their own experience in the operation of a plastic heating circuit.

Or maybe you own theoretical knowledge on the topic of the article and want to supplement the material we have laid out? Leave your comments, add recommendations - they will be useful for beginners.