Progress does not stand still, and all spheres of human activity improve over time. Manufacturers of pipes for various purposes seek to make their products more reliable, durable and strong, able to withstand external and internal loads, as well as damage due to physical impact. To do this, the pipes are covered with special protection - corrugated braid, which is made of metal, plastic and even from polymer threads. Corrugated pipes are widely used in the arrangement of the sewer system. Since chemical products in the form of cleaning products are often merged with household waste and waste products, the pipes in the sewer must be made of special polymer material. Such polyethylene must be impact resistant, and also withstand abrasion loads. In terms of strength, sewer pipes often surpass metal-plastic products. The latter is often used in urban water supply systems.
Varieties of corrugation
Today, there is a wide variety of material such as plastic corrugation. By appointment, it is divided into 4 types. To understand what is their fundamental difference, you should describe the features of each product:
- Wiring. They have medium flexibility and good resistance to stress.
- Corrugated stainless steel gas pipes. These are usually single-layer corrugated pipes that have good flexibility.
- For arranging cables and wires. Usually use two-layer options, they usually find application where there is a high risk of damage.
- For arrangement of the sewerage. Typically, a two-layer version is used, which has good indicators of resistance to mechanical and chemical damage.
Pipe specifications
Experts identify two main characteristics that directly affect the reliability and durability of the pipe. The first parameter is the degree of reliability of the product. The second is resistance to applied loads. To protect the pipes from damage due to physical impact, the structure is covered with a corrugated stainless steel layer. Such protection preserves the lightness and flexibility of the pipe, which is why such a coating is used to protect gas and water pipes. During wiring, a corrugated pipe is also often used, which is able to protect cables from mechanical damage, as well as from electric shock and ignition as a result of a short circuit. To date, the following types of corrugation exist:
- Easy category. Such designs are lightweight and highly flexible. They are mainly used for installation outside buildings, because they are characterized by low resistance to mechanical damage.
- Heavy category. This type of corrugated pipes is suitable for installation underground, and is also resistant to the average type of mechanical type loads.
- Super heavy category. These pipes are particularly durable and find their application in communications with strong pressure. An example would be pipelines under a motorway. Due to the size of the corrugation, the superheavy category also finds its application constantly, and installation does not cause difficulties.
Metal corrugation
This is the most common version of the corrugation for the sink. Also, these pipes are used for the following purposes:
1. Culvert. It can be in the form of an arch, which allows water to move in a natural way. This is an alternative to the arch bridge, and with the use of hot galvanizing, corrosion can be avoided. If necessary, there are also various additional protective measures, which allows to fulfill the following requirements:
- Installation is carried out accurately and quickly, which leads to low costs in time and effort.
- The choice of the type of cross section, which depends on the geological features of the territory.
2. Highways. They are usually positioned so that they do not intersect under any condition. Pipes are also found in tunnels, because they have high seismic resistance. They are also used as a transition for animals, in which case they become an analogue of the tunnel.
3. Pedestrian crossing. It is the most efficient and economical. Among the advantages here are usually noted the presence of various shapes and sizes, the ability to build niches for lighting, as well as the ability to quickly install various systems.
4. The device of water supply networks. Very often, such pipes are used when it is necessary to perform laying in especially difficult conditions, as well as where it is practically impossible to carry out splicing fittings. The many sizes of corrugations make it much easier.
5. Protection of mechanisms from damage. Such pipes are used to protect the wiring from docking with chemical compounds, water, as well as from mechanical damage. At the same time, the use of metal allows maximum protection of the contents. Corrugated pipes can also be used for ordinary cable laying in difficult conditions. This includes a large depth under the ground, increased humidity, aggressiveness of the environment, and much more.
Reconstruction opportunities
Specialists often use corrugation to reconstruct or repair a damaged pipe system. There are times when the water supply system needs to be strengthened as a result of the load, or to connect modern pipes equipped with additional corrosion protection to the existing water supply.
Often corrugation is used for temporary construction of the crossing. To do this, the corrugated tubes are tightly interconnected, installed over the river, and on top make an embankment of gravel, sand or earth. After that, pedestrians can safely and safely move around the temporary structure. Builders can begin to build the main bridge.
The advantages of metal pipes
Among the advantages are the following:
- Strength. This quality is achieved even with low weight, because the product uses an original design. According to many years of testing, we can say that the corrugation for the sink, which is used even in the most difficult conditions, is very durable. The service life can reach even 100 years.
- Cost. Due to the fact that the installation uses automatic welding, as well as the consumables themselves are inexpensive, expenses can be reduced even by 40%.
- Comfort during loading, unloading, as well as transportation. Even in a standard wagon, more than 400 m of pipes can be placed.
- Comfort during storage. Due to the low weight and size of the corrugation, you can freely store pallets of the structure, which will save space in rooms or on construction sites.
- You will not need to maintain the design and spend a large amount of money.
- A wide range of designs presented in size and shape. Thanks to a large selection of cross-section types, you can choose the best option for yourself. In some cases, it is possible to choose a design that will be combined with other surrounding structures.
- Corrugated metal pipe can be used for operation in various climatic conditions.
Corrugated PVC Pipes
PVC pipe is a structure that is made of polymers. It has become popular due to its clear advantages and low cost. The scope is wide, for each task you can choose the most optimal version of the corrugation in size. Due to the fact that the corrugated pipe bends well, it can be used even in hard-to-reach places, which will reduce installation time.
Cable protection pipes
Today, corrugated pipes are often used to protect electric cables. Protective corrugated pipe can be used for various purposes, for example, for laying a telephone cable, as well as for electrical wiring. The purpose of the corrugation in this case is to protect the cable from the adverse effects of the environment and mechanical damage. Corrugation also acts as a dielectric.
Corrugation selection by diameter
What you should pay attention to? To correctly choose the size of the corrugation for the cable, you should carefully study the wiring diagram in the house, which you need to lay or replace with a new one. For example, if you want to connect one lighting fixture, then the diameter of the protective tube equal to 16 mm is suitable for you. If you want to install one outlet, then a pipe diameter of 20 mm will be optimal for laying a cable to the appliance in it. Also take into account the cross-section of the cable. Too thick a wire may not fit in the inner cavity of the corrugation.
The protective tube can withstand temperatures in the range from -25 to +60 degrees, which allows for electrical work at any time of the year. The cost of such protection for the cable is low, while they have very good quality.
Why do we need a probe in the corrugation
In the process of selecting corrugations by size, you should know that each type of corrugated PVC pipe is made in two versions: without a probe and with a probe. The probe is a metal wire that allows you to conveniently pull the cable through the entire corrugation. This solution allows you to reduce the time that is usually spent on a broach. If the pipe is too long, broaching becomes completely impossible. The probe does not affect flexibility, the wire is very thin, and therefore weighs a little.
Models of pipes without a probe also have their advantages, for example, they can be cut with an ordinary knife or scissors, while it is not so easy to damage the wire for pulling without the availability of special tools. In order to trim it, you will need metal scissors or a jigsaw.
Corrugation in sewers
When choosing pipes for sewage, it should be remembered that they must withstand a large load, because installation will be carried out underground. Very often, such sewer pipes are made of two layers of polyethylene, which is able to withstand high pressure. Like other types of pipes, sewer can not be used at high temperatures. The maximum value is +40 degrees. Mainly used for sewage devices for domestic use. A temperature effect of up to +80 degrees is allowed, but only if it is short-lived. The material can melt, which leads to disruption of the pipe and leakage.
The advantages of corrugated pipes
Of the main advantages, the following can be distinguished:
- When laying wires, the corrugated pipe acts as a good dielectric.
- The material has a high resistance to ignition. Some products have a coating that protects the structure from open flame.
- Water resistant.
- Durability.
- High degree of protection against mechanical stress.
- Quality insulation.
- High environmental friendliness.
- The material is non-toxic.
- Flexibility.
HDPE and LDPE pipes
This option provides widespread use of corrugations to protect objects from environmental influences and from mechanical damage. Often they can be seen when laying cable lines. Installation is possible both in soil and in monolithic concrete, which further simplifies the process of dismantling. Such pipes consist of two layers, one of which is external corrugated, made of polyethylene, as well as two internal smooth, which are also made of polyethylene. Such design features allow to obtain high mechanical strength and can easily withstand various kinds of loads.
Advantages of using LDPE and HDPE pipes
Among the main advantages are the following:
- Low specific gravity, which allows fast and high-quality installation.
- Possibility of use, both at high temperatures and at low.
- Reduced transportation costs in large volumes due to convenient sizes.
- Thanks to its convenient size, working with the corrugation is simple: the load can be easily moved to the installation site.
- Thanks to its high flexibility, the use of additional fittings when turning the track is excluded.
- Low cost when comparing a pipe with analogues of polyethylene or metal pipes.
- Water resistant.
- Durability.
- Resistance to corrosion.
- Environmentally friendly materials.
disadvantages
Of the minuses, the following can be distinguished:
- A large number of bends can lead to deformation and destruction.
- Are subject to deformation.
- Unattractive appearance, which may not fit into the design of the room or the features of the exterior.
Coated pipes
Having considered the main options for corrugated pipes, we can say that they all have both their advantages and disadvantages. That is why everyone will acquire a suitable option for themselves, which will serve him for many years. The main criterion for the purchase will be the selection according to the necessary parameters, for example, if the area where the plumbing or wiring will be located may be subject to mechanical stress, it is best to purchase a corrugated stainless pipe. If you choose such a product, not taking into account all the parameters, you will have to carry out repair work again. The pros and cons of the corrugation at the same time you need to know in order to better navigate the final decision.