The rather long service life of polypropylene pipes allows them to be fully used in heating and water supply systems instead of metal analogues. When choosing products from this material, it is necessary to take into account the main tasks to which they are directed. Not all plastic and polyethylene elements are suitable for hot water systems or a heating circuit.
Description
The service life of polypropylene pipes mainly depends on the scope of use. The material itself is obtained by polymerization of a pair of chemical elements (propylene and ethylene in specific proportions). Such synthetic products have shown themselves excellently in water supply designs, sewer and heating systems. The method and industry of operation, as well as the duration of use of the products in question, depend on the marking of the pipes.
Variations offered on the modern market differ among themselves in technical characteristics, have different designations. Some of them are suitable exclusively for cold water supply systems, others - for hot and heating structures.
Modifications and marking
To extend the service life of polypropylene pipes, labeling must be considered. Below are the most common modifications:
- Type PN-10 is designed exclusively for systems with a carrier pressure of no more than ten atmospheres. This includes piping with cold industrial or drinking water. The permissible temperature for heating the liquid is not more than 45 degrees Celsius. These products are among the cheapest options.
- The PN-16 index indicates that the pipes are suitable for installation in systems with a maximum pressure of no more than 16 atmospheres. Media temperature is allowed up to +60 ° C.
- The N-20 series can withstand the features of using centralized heating systems, operating pressure up to 20 bar, the maximum temperature of the coolant is +95 ° C.
- The PN-25 marking indicates that the pipes are reinforced with reinforcing aluminum foil, which gives the product additional strength. Most of the hot water supply and heating structures are equipped with just such elements, withstand 25 atmospheres and a temperature of the working fluid of 95 ° C.
Pipes made of polypropylene must be selected taking into account their application in a hot or cold circuit, because their service life depends on technical indicators.
Polypropylene pipes and their features
The material under consideration for several years successfully competes with steel counterparts. Such popularity is due to the specific properties that pipes have:
- They are not afraid of corrosion processes, unlike steel products. In addition, such elements are suitable for most carriers, neutral to their chemical constituents.
- The internal equipment remains unchanged for decades, which is guaranteed by their ideally smooth surface. This factor contributes to an increase in the operational life. At the same time, the diameter of the products does not narrow, since there are no calcareous and salt deposits.
- The price of polypropylene pipes, the shelf life of which is several tens of years, is much lower than metal analogues. They do not require special care, painting. They can be repaired without problems using the simplest tools.
- Pipe connections are connected by diffuse welding, forming highways of various lengths with one-piece joining of individual sections, increasing the rate of their tightness and strength.
- The material has a fairly low heat conductivity, which allows you to maintain the desired temperature throughout the path of the filler.
Areas of use
The properties of the material in question make it possible to apply some markings in the conduct of heating networks, and also increase the service life of polypropylene heating pipes. When arranging such systems and carrying out repair work, most consumers make the choice in favor of these synthetic products.
Universal material allows the use of elements in various economic fields, namely:
- Production of pipelines for pumping liquids with any chemical composition, regardless of their aggressiveness.
- Polypropylene pipes are used for distillation of compressed air. For such cases, variations reinforced with foil are required, having a marking of at least PN-25.
- Due to the low cost, the products are optimally suited for the arrangement of reclamation and drainage systems.
- The main field of operation is heating structures and water supply units.
All products are selected depending on the main purpose. For example, in a private house, carrying out a PN-25 pipeline is irrelevant, since it will cost more than analogs that will perfectly cope with the task at a lower price.
Operational period
Many users are interested in the question, what is the service life of polypropylene pipes if they are bricked up in walls or poured with concrete? In reality, this indicator depends on the tasks performed, working pressure and temperature parameters of the liquid carrier.
That is, if the filler in a product with the PN-10 index is heated to 20 degrees Celsius with a working pressure of 13.5 atmospheres, the service life will be at least 10 years, and with an indicator of 12.9 atmospheres - up to 50 years. A completely different story with variations under the brand name PN-25. With an internal temperature of the filler used at 30 degrees Celsius and a pressure of 9.3 Atm, the service life of a polypropylene water supply pipe (DHW) will not exceed 10 years. But at a design pressure of 25 atmospheres, the working period is increased by five times.
Application Nuances
Operational points are expressed in the fact that each marking is focused on specific conditions of use. For example, if it is supposed to connect segments of polypropylene to a central heating network, the best option would be to use modifications like PN-16 or 20.
The maximum temperature regime that does not affect critically the service life of polypropylene pipes for hot water supply is 95 ° C. They are not suitable for mounting systems with hotter fillers. Already at 130-140 degrees Celsius the material becomes plastic and soft, similar to plasticine.
Preventative measures for the arrangement of structures
Often the service life of polypropylene water pipes depends on the type of installation. To place products in the wall, they must first be insulated. This will protect the pipeline from condensation, as well as provide an opportunity to expand the supply of space for systems with hot water.
In general, these materials can be bricked into the wall slab using appropriate safety measures. In addition, access to shutoff valves and floor taps is left free.
What to consider during installation?
When laying the systems in question in a concrete screed, there are a few more points to consider:
- When concreting structures with cold water, fittings and other working joints are left open.
- Since the hot carrier periodically changes its operating temperature, parts with the corresponding marking should be used, laying them in enlarged strobes, taking into account the possibility of polymer expansion during operation.
- When installing polypropylene pipes in the screed for the “warm floor” system, it is advisable to use versions reinforced with aluminum foil. This solution will prevent air from entering the system, and will also increase strength when the refrigerant reaches the maximum possible temperature.
Among the main signs of wear of the products in question in open structures is the appearance of yellow plaque. This color occurs under the influence of ultraviolet radiation. To extend the service life, the sections must be insulated with reflective materials.
Varieties of Reinforcement
In addition to aluminum foil, Americans on polypropylene pipes (the service life depends on the installation location), like the mains themselves, can have other types of reinforcement. Among the varieties:
- Composite materials. To strengthen the operating pipelines, some of the elements can be equipped with such a layer. It combines a combined version that serves to strengthen the design. Such products satisfy high consumer characteristics and do not require stripping before commissioning.
- Additional layer of plastic. Such pipelines are able to withstand high temperatures, while the possibility of contact between the filler and the reinforced part is not ruled out. In order to avoid delamination of the material, a special adhesive solution is introduced into its composition.
- Fiberglass. Using this heavy-duty material, the core of the pipes is created, the external and internal parts of which are made of ordinary, not reinforced polyethylene.
Brief summary
In conclusion, it can be noted that the durability of polypropylene pipes depends on the operating temperature of the fluid used, the pressure in the pipeline, the grade and composition of the main material, the correct installation and current operating conditions. With the right combination of all factors of the product, without the need for special care, they will last from 10 to 50 years.