Disadvantages of polypropylene pipes in home heating. How to choose polypropylene pipes for proper installation of a heating system Types of polypropylene pipes for heating

So, for the installation of a heating system, you have decided to opt for polypropylene pipes. If you simply go to the store without first “getting to know” them, you will be faced with the fact that they, it turns out, are different. Price, outer color of the pipe and in section: plain and with some kind of circular color changes. Let's try to figure out these nuances. The first thing that will clearly catch your eye will be the outer color of the pipe: white, gray or something else.

This is exactly where there is no difference - it’s pure design solution and does not affect the quality of the pipe in any way. Choose according to your taste (or mood)).

Today we can confidently say that polypropylene pipes are confidently and quickly replacing traditional metal counterparts (cast iron and steel) from literally all areas of water supply and sewerage. But the consumer sometimes faces a painful choice: how to buy the best poly propylene pipes? Which brand of polypropylene pipes is best? Wanting to make this task easier, guided by reviews from consumers and professionals (experienced installers), we compiled a kind of rating of polypropylene pipes and collected brief characteristics of popular brands in a single article.

Which pipes are the best?

The unanimous opinion of all construction forums, owners of apartments and houses where polypropylene pipes are installed, as well as the installers themselves, is that German products are recognized as the undisputed leader in quality among the widest variety. Moreover, it is worth noting that all pipe manufacturers from Germany have earned nothing but praise. And the choice of a particular brand is most often based only on its availability in a particular region.

German brands of polypropylene pipes and fittings:

The characteristics of each brand are given in a separate thematic article.

Polypropylene pipes produced in the Czech Republic are considered to be very good quality products

Users place cheaper pipes and fittings made in Turkey in third place in terms of quality characteristics.

Polypropylene pipes from Turkey are in demand in Russia

Even more budget option are Chinese and Russian products. From China you can pay attention to such generally good brands as Dyzain and BLUE OCEAN. Russia is represented on the market by PRO AQUA brands; RVC; Heisskraft; Santrade; Polytech.

The next thing you should know about polypropylene pipes is their ability to increase in length when heated. Thus, an ordinary polypropylene pipe will become longer when the temperature increases by 100º: +150 mm for every 10 meters. During operation, such an extension will be noticeable. And when heated, straight pipes will take on a wave-like shape. We have learned to deal with this shortcoming. To reduce thermal expansion, polypropylene pipes are reinforced.

Reinforced pipes

There are several types of reinforcement for polypropylene pipe products.

Fiberglass

Polypropylene pipes reinforced with fiberglass are the best option for heating. What are they? This is when there is a layer of fiberglass inside the polypropylene layer. In cross-section of the pipe, it looks a bit like the annual rings of a tree cut. There is a layer of polypropylene inside, then a layer of fiberglass and again a layer of polypropylene on the outside. When using glass fiber reinforcement, thermal expansion is reduced tenfold and amounts to +15 mm per 10 meters.

Polypropylene pipes are also reinforced with aluminum. Basically, such reinforcement is external. When there is a layer of aluminum on top of polypropylene, which prevents thermal expansion. In addition to external aluminum reinforcement, the following combination is used: inside a thin layer of polyethylene - inside aluminum reinforcement - outside polypropylene. Moreover, the aluminum layer is not continuous, but in the shape of the letter C.

From the above it is clear that for heating and hot water supply systems it is necessary to choose reinforced polypropylene pipes. Accordingly, unreinforced pipes made from this material are used for cold water supply, where there are no large temperature changes.

A few words about installation. Installation of polypropylene pipes is very simple, but requires the use of special equipment: a socket welding machine and a set of special nozzles, special wire cutters or a pipe cutter (can be replaced with a metal saw), a shaver (for pipes with aluminum reinforcement) and a bevel remover. And if you have certain skills, you can independently cope with the installation of polypropylene pipes. The easiest to install is an unreinforced polypropylene pipe. The pipe, which is reinforced with fiberglass, is almost as good as it. Fiberglass melts along with polypropylene, and the result is a reliable connection. If there is an outer layer of aluminum, then it is completely cleaned off at the place where the pipe enters the fitting. With internal reinforcement the matter is more complicated. You need a special tool that will clean the inner layer of aluminum and trim the pipe.

Additional benefits of polypropylene

• Long service life. Manufacturers claim a service life of their products from 25 to 50 years. Of course, subject to compliance with operating requirements.
• Pipes have low thermal conductivity. Waste heat loss is minimal.
• Very resistant to temperature changes. In the stated ranges they do not lose their shape and structure.
• Opportunity self-installation. Although a couple practical lessons not prevent.
• Polypropylene pipes do not conduct electricity. There will be no unpleasant “surprises” in the form of an electric shock.
• Higher throughput than metal pipes by 20%.
• Light weight of pipes. The weight of polypropylene pipes is nine times less than that of metal ones.
• The material is very resistant to corrosion and inert to chemical reactions.
• Easy to use and maintain.

The price range of polypropylene pipes for heating is very diverse. So, one meter of Ekoplastik polypropylene pipe will cost approximately 1.9 EUR/linear meter. For a meter of REHAU pipe you will need to pay 4.5 EUR. The cost of pipes of Chinese origin fluctuates around 1 USD per 1 meter of length. So the choice of quality, technical characteristics and prices are very varied.

Polypropylene pipes: which is better

Brands of polypropylene pipes, selection criteria, reviews, prices, technical characteristics of glass fiber reinforced pipes

Which polypropylene pipes are better - an overview of types and manufacturers

In the modern construction products market, pipes made from polymer materials are presented in a wide variety. At the same time, a large segment belongs to polypropylene products of domestic and imported production. Many consumers of such systems are interested in which polypropylene pipes are better.

Characteristics of polypropylene pipe products

To do right choice polypropylene pipes, you need to familiarize yourself with the advantages of products made from this material:

1. Non-susceptibility to destructive corrosion processes. This property allows pipelines to maintain their original qualities for many years. The service life is 3 to 4 times greater than that of metal products.
2. Immunity to chemically active environments and excellent cross-country ability.
3. Frost resistance. When used in conditions severe frosts polypropylene pipelines demonstrate a high degree of reliability - they are not subject to ruptures.
4. Low noise level, which is typical for polypropylene pipes for heating structures - people around them practically do not hear them.
5. The minimum amount of pressure loss of a moving fluid.
6. Saving thermal energy from hot coolant in polypropylene pipelines reaches 10–20% in contrast to metal products.
7. Safety for human health.
8. Reliability of the resulting connections with ease of implementation installation work.
9. A wide variety of connecting elements - fittings. This allows you to carry out wiring of structures of any complexity.

Main types of polypropylene pipes

Information about what types they come in will help solve the problem of which polypropylene pipes to choose.

Pipe products made from polypropylene are:

Single-layer polypropylene products

They are produced in the following types:

1. Type 1 – PPH is made from homopropylene. Such products are used for laying ventilation systems and industrial pipelines, when arranging cold water supply.
2. Type 2 – PPV is made from polypropylene block copolymer. The scope of use is the creation of floor heating systems and cold water mains, the production of highly impact-resistant fittings.
3. Type 3 – PPR is made from a random copolymer of polypropylene. Area of ​​application: water supply and heating.
4. PPs pipes are a type of highly flammable special polypropylene.

Multilayer reinforced pipes

To decide which reinforced polypropylene pipe is better, you need to know that

This type of pipe products allows:

1. Reduce thermal expansion of thermoplastic products.
2. Pipe products reinforced with aluminum foil are either smooth or perforated.

In addition, you should familiarize yourself with the types of pipes depending on the method of reinforcement:

1. WITH outside There is a solid or perforated layer of aluminum foil.
2. The inner aluminum layer is located closer to the outer edge, and the perforated foil helps to connect the layers without the use of glue.
3. Fiberglass is used.
4. The layer inside is made of a composite mixture, which includes polypropylene and glass or fiber fiber. Read also: “What are the types of polypropylene pipes, production materials and areas of use.”

Review of companies producing polypropylene pipes

According to experts analyzing the pipe products market, the rating of polypropylene pipes looks like this:

1. The leading place belongs to the products of companies from Germany, including Pexay, Akwatherm, Banninger, Wefatherm.
2. In second place are Czech polypropylene pipes from EKOPLASTIK.
3. Slightly lower in the ranking are products from Turkish companies Pilsa, FIRAT, TEBO, Valtek and Vesbo, Jakko.
4. Fourth place was taken by pipes from companies from China - Blue Ocean and Dyzain.
5. Fifth place went to products manufactured in Russia.

Russian-made pipes

Since the products are of good quality, many domestic buyers are interested in which brand of polypropylene pipes is better.

Russian pipe products PRO AQUA can withstand temperatures up to 95 degrees. It is not susceptible to corrosion or chemicals and lasts for many years. Products of the RVK brand are reinforced with aluminum, so they are used in the arrangement of hot water supply and heating systems (read: “Characteristics of RVK polypropylene pipes, advantages, areas of use”).

Heisskraft pipes can also satisfy consumer demand. Politek products are distinguished by an average level of quality - with the same wall thickness they are deformed during compression. Read also: “Stages of production of polypropylene pipes, raw materials and technologies used.”

Pipe products from China

As a rule, Chinese products are of low quality. The exception applies to Blue Ocean products manufactured by a UK subsidiary and products from the Dyzain brand of polypropylene pipes.

Pipes from manufacturers from Turkey

The TEBO company produces polypropylene pipes with a diameter of 20–160 millimeters for creating heat and water supply systems. The products offer excellent resistance to chemically aggressive environments. For the arrangement of water supply structures there is a separate line of products - PN10 and PN20. To create heat supply systems, pipes that are reinforced with aluminum or fiberglass are used.

Also worthy of attention are Turkish polypropylene pipes Pilsa, Novaplast, Vesbo, VALTEC and others, characterized by a high degree of strength, wear resistance and elasticity.

Czech products made of polypropylene

A well-known brand of polypropylene pipes manufactured in the Czech Republic is WAWIN Ecoplastik products. It occupies one of the leading positions in the world market, as it is distinguished by the highest quality that meets all standards.

These pipes are used for the following purposes:

• ventilation wiring, water supply;
• creation of heat supply systems - central and under the floor;
• for the installation of cold water supply systems under high pressure and low pressure lines for centralized heat supply.

Pipes from the FV-Plast company, which have special aluminum inserts, have excellent characteristics. Thanks to this, the products of this brand resist temperature changes. It is used for laying water supply lines, underfloor heating systems and supplying thermal energy. Read also: “Production and use of acrylic pipes, characteristics.”

STABI pipes with aluminum insert are used for installation under the floor of pipelines for moving hot water.

German polypropylene pipes

Products from German manufacturing companies are deservedly considered the undisputed leader among high-quality pipe products.

Wefatherm pipes are used for the installation of water supply and heating structures. Their advantages lie in the presence of a perfectly smooth inner surface, which allows the initial pressure in the pipeline to be maintained to the maximum. It is possible to combine different types of pipes, since the company produces a wide range of connecting fittings.

The manufacturer Akwatherm occupies one of the leading positions in the production of polymer products for underfloor heating, fire extinguishing, air conditioning, water and heat supply systems.

If you need to purchase reliable products for arranging heating structures or hot water supply lines under pressure up to 20 bar, experts advise paying attention to German Faser polypropylene pipes. IN trading network they come in green colors with a diameter of 16–250 millimeters and white cross section 20-40 millimeters.

Rehau pipes, which are used for indoor and outdoor installation, do not require recommendations engineering communications in residential buildings and industrial facilities. But to install products from this company, you need to have professional work skills.

When choosing pipe products, you need to purchase products from the line that is suitable for laying a specific type of pipeline. For example, if you need to set up a system that supplies hot water, you should use pipes that are designed specifically for such lines and then during operation there will be no serious problems.

Which polypropylene pipes are better: rating, which ones to choose, brands, companies, brands

Which polypropylene pipes are better: 6 little things that can determine the fate of the future pipeline

Range of polypropylene pipes

Everyone has probably already heard about the victorious march of polypropylene in the plumbing industry. But which polypropylene pipes are best used in a given situation? For example, when I first came to a specialized store specifically for this product, I was puzzled by the fairly extensive number of offers. So I propose to deal with the most significant criteria, which due to inexperience can be considered insignificant details.

Some general characteristics

Why is it even worth switching from the same metal to polypropylene? Why are plastic pipes better than cast iron or metal? Before delving into their varieties, you need to have an idea about their advantages:

• Complete absence of corrosion processes. Subject to constant contact with water, quite significant quality;
• Absolutely smooth walls, thanks to which the pressure maintains its intensity for as long as possible. In addition, there is no effect of the formation of growths, which renders metal analogues unusable;

Smooth inner surface guarantees strong pressure

• Almost complete no noise emitting transported liquid;
• Relatively low price. This is one of the most important advantages due to which most owners choose plastic pipes;
• Simple instructions performing installation work. Using a pipe soldering iron, reliable sealed connections can be easily and quickly created, since the melting point of the material in question is only 260 degrees Celsius above zero;

Soldering polypropylene pipes with your own hands using a special welding machine

• There is no danger of ruptures as a result of freezing of the transported liquid, which is very important for external highways in winter;
• A huge number of all kinds of connecting fittings, allowing you to lay pipelines of any complexity;
• Durability. The service life of polypropylene exceeds 50 years.

The positive aspects of this material are obvious, but they can vary dramatically depending on the brand and type of pipe, so it’s worth having an idea about these nuances.

What to pay attention to

If you just come and order plastic pipes for yourself, you may end up encountering many problems during their operation or simply overpay where this is not required. Understanding the meaning of some “little things” that you can detect even during a visual inspection of the product will help you avoid such undesirable outcomes:

Little thing #1: number of layers

In this context we are talking about single-layer and multi-layer products. And here everything is simple:

• Single layer polypropylene pipes are cheaper and are used to create most types of pipeline systems, but are not suitable for operation at high temperatures, since they begin to deform when heated to 70-90 degrees Celsius;
• Multilayer Due to reinforcement, samples are able to withstand much higher temperatures, although they are correspondingly more expensive.

For the purpose of installing an apartment heating system, I recommend purchasing reinforced products. The fact is that in winter the temperature built up in boiler rooms can significantly exceed the threshold permissible for single-layer pipes.

Multilayer polypropylene pipes in the heating system

Little detail No. 2: markings on single-layer pipes, which determine their more accurate composition

On all plastic pipes that have one layer, you can find certain designations, by which you can judge their more detailed composition and recommended area of ​​application:

Polypropylene structure diagram

• High hardness;
• Lack of resistance to low temperatures

• Ventilation systems;
• Industrial pipelines

• Flexibility;
• Frost resistance

• Cold water supply systems;
• Warm floor systems;
• Manufacturing of impact-resistant fittings and pipes

• High strength;
• Ability to withstand short-term temperature surges up to +110 degrees Celsius;
• Restoring shape after defrosting;
• High resistance to acids and alkalis;
• Excellent sound insulation

• Cold and hot water supply systems;
• Warm floor systems;
• Heating systems in private houses;
• Compressed air systems

For home use, I recommend purchasing single-layer pipes marked PPR, as they have the best performance characteristics, and their cost is not much higher than their less practical counterparts.

Photos of products marked PPR

Little thing #3: reinforcement method

If you plan to use polypropylene products during installation heating system in an apartment, then, as I noted above, you will need multilayer reinforced samples.

They have greater rigidity and good resistance to high temperatures, for which, however, you have to come to terms with an increase in their cost, and in some cases also with additional difficulties during installation work associated precisely with the need to eliminate reinforcement at the soldering site.

But even in this case, I was faced with a choice of two most common options:

1. Pipe with foil-coated intermediate layer. If the foil is located close to the outside of the product, then it is removed using a shaver, but if closer to the inside of the product, then the cut edge is trimmed to avoid contact of the metal with the transported liquid. In any case, additional work during welding is provided. In turn, such pipes are divided into the following types depending on the structure of the reinforcing layer:

• Perforated layer. This means that the foil has holes, and during the process of filling the workpiece with polypropylene, it seeps through them, creating a reliable connection without the use of glue;

Scheme of a polypropylene pipe with a perforated intermediate layer structure

• Solid layer. In this case, there are three separate layers glued together;

Scheme of a polypropylene pipe with a continuous structure of the intermediate layer

1. Glass fiber reinforced pipe. In this case, reinforcement is performed by adding fiberglass filler to polypropylene. This approach provides clear advantages:

• There is no need to clean the edge of the pipe before welding;
• Increasing the rigidity coefficient of the product;
• Reduced thermal expansion rate by 75%;
• Monolithic structure. In this case there is no division into layers.

Polypropylene pipes with fiberglass of different diameters

Little detail No. 4: markings that determine the pressure and temperature the pipe can withstand

Before choosing polypropylene pipes for laying a specific pipeline, you need to carefully read the designations beginning with the letters PN. This “trifle” will tell you what conditions a particular product can withstand.

The classification of polypropylene pipes according to this criterion looks like this:

• PN 10. Suitable for transport cold water, the temperature of which does not exceed +20 degrees Celsius. Permissible pressure – up to 1 MPa;

Sample pipe marked PN 10

• PN 16. Here it is already possible to use products in both cold and hot water supply, so they are able to withstand heat up to +60 degrees Celsius and pressure up to 1.6 MPa;

Sample pipe marked PN 16

• PN 20. There are no problems with transportation of hot liquid, the temperature of which even reaches +95 degrees Celsius. The working pressure is 2 MPa;

Samples of pipes marked PN 20

• PN 25. These are already reinforced samples used in heating systems. Withstands temperature surges exceeding +95 degrees Celsius and operating pressure up to 2 MPa.

Sectional sample of a pipe marked PN 25

With an increase in the number after the letters PN, not only the performance properties increase, but also the cost of the products, so in order not to overpay, choose those pipes that exactly match your plans. That is, for example, for cold water supply there is absolutely no need to buy relatively expensive reinforced samples.

Little thing #5: color

Here the opinions of experts differ. Some of them believe that the color of the pipes does not affect their technical characteristics in any way. But others reasonably note that such markings put into products by manufacturers should be taken into account. I am a reinsurer, so I take the side of the latter in this matter.

And this is what the color can tell you according to the manufacturer:

1. White:

• Ability to withstand pressure of 25 bar;
• Cheapness;
• Complete absence of corrosion processes;

White pipe products

1. Grey:

• Heat resistance;
• Long operational period;
• Environmental cleanliness;
• Excellent tightness;

Gray polypropylene pipes

1. Black:

• UV resistance;
• High resistance to aggressive acids and alkalis;
• Resistance to drying effect;
• Increased strength parameters;

Pipe products made of black polypropylene

1. Green. Cheap samples with a low operating pressure threshold, used, as a rule, to implement a garden watering system.

Green polypropylene pipes are cheaper

As you can see, colored products can also tell some information, which, however, has a rather general appearance.

Little thing #6: manufacturer

You can answer, they say, this is not a car or even household appliances, so you can also monitor the brand here. But only if you deal with the products of a well-known company, you can be sure that all the designations described above will correspond to reality.

With some goods of dubious origin, you may not pay attention to the marking at all, since it is most likely applied only to increase the cost.

Which polypropylene pipes are better: 6 nuances of choosing products

Which polypropylene pipes are better: classification and types, instructions on how to choose, video and photos

Which brand of polypropylene pipes is better to choose?

Plastic plumbing systems have a number of advantages over metal ones. They are light, strong, durable, and affordable. But how to choose them? After all, polypropylene pipes from Wawin Ecoplastik have a wide range, and the manufacturer Vostok offers a low cost. To decide, we have prepared a detailed review of brands with all their advantages and disadvantages.

Rating of polypropylene pipe manufacturers

The list opens with recognized industry giants - German companies Banninger, Wefatherm, Aquatherm. The company's product list includes sewer and water supply systems, as well as fasteners and other additional components (fittings, adapters). All three manufacturers have similar markings: cold water outlets are painted green, for climate control systems - blue, and for heating and floor heating - white. Products are manufactured in accordance with European standards ISO 50001 and undergo a strict certification system

The Czech Ekoplastik and FV-Plast are slightly inferior to their German “brothers”. These manufacturers have no analogues in the post-Soviet space. Pipelines for water supply and sewerage are exported to almost all European countries. Manufacturers provide a 15-year warranty for each pipe. The material for manufacturing is a copolymer, known for its hygienic and strength qualities.

Turkish Pilsa, Kalde, FIRAT, TEBO, SPK and others have gained popularity due to their affordable price. Unlike the Germans and Czechs, manufacturers from Turkey do not provide a guarantee of 10 years or more for their products, but they do provide triple quality control. First, the raw materials are checked, then the finished product is tested for internal loads, and finally, for external ones.

Pilsa Fiberglass pipe

They close the ranking of manufacturers polymer pipes Russian, Belarusian, Ukrainian and Chinese companies. For example, RosTurPlast produces elbows with an EAN 13 certificate; products are regularly tested for quality and durability. Factories Rozma, Teploplast, Alfa Plast, Karal Plast (Kazakhstan) and others produce ready-made plastic systems, fittings, adapters between metal and polypropylene pipes and other additional elements.

Which company to choose polypropylene pipes?

All manufacturers of polypropylene pipes guarantee the high quality of their products and their durability. Therefore, in order to decide on the choice of a plastic water supply or sewerage system, we suggest comparing ready-made pipes from different companies according to the following parameters:

• Main characteristics. Available diameters, non-standard connections, weight;
• Appearance. It is no secret that Czech systems are much more beautiful than the polypropylene bends that Turkey offers. In addition, for many owners this factor is decisive;
• Durability, strength;
• Manufacturer's warranty.

Pipes from Faser

The direct products of this Czech production FV Plast are divided into FV PPR and FV THERM.

• FV PPR - used for distributing cold and hot water. Designed for prolonged contact with liquid at room temperature and periodic contact with hot liquid. They tolerate temperature changes normally. Produced by welding. Additionally, Faser also produces accessories, fittings and other necessary elements for these bends;
• FV THERM – suitable for heating systems, connection to radiators or underfloor heating systems. They can also be used to supply hot water, but this is impractical - the cost is too high. To ensure durability and low stretch ratio, they are made from a combination of polypropylene, rigid polyurethane and expanded polystyrene.

Average weight of one linear meter Facer – 0.1 kg. Externally, products for cold water supply are marked with stripes on white walls, and for heating - with stripes on red outlets.

Faser pipe with fiberglass

A wide range allows you to buy polypropylene pipes of any diameter: standard (20, 25, 32 and others) and non-standard.

Pipes from Vostok company

Kalde-Vostok is a company that tops the list of the most popular manufacturers in Russia and Ukraine. This is a Turkish company that manufactures taps for cold and hot water supply. The range also includes fittings, taps and other necessary accessories. Kalde Vostok pipes are made from recycled polypropylene combined with other synthetic components to increase strength.

Kalde Vostok

To strengthen the connection, the pipes are made of multilayer material. Externally they are white with marking stripes. All standard sizes are available in diameters; in addition, it is possible to order the manufacture of original products from the manufacturer.

Pipes from “Design” company

Dizayn is a Turkish company offering equipment for water supply and heating systems. Unlike Vostok, this company works with large-diameter bends and its products are much cheaper. The minimum size of polypropylene Design is 20 mm, the maximum is 110 mm.

Pipe Dizayn OXY-PLUS

The color is gray, and reinforced fiberglass products are used in heating systems. They are more resistant to prolonged exposure to high temperatures and pressure changes.

Pipes from Kontur

Contour – polypropylene pipes for water supply Russian production. The catalog includes standard outlets for cold water supply PPR and flexible pipelines G-RAY. Suppliers ensure uninterrupted delivery of products to all points in Russia, so buying polypropylene pipes from Kontur will not be any problem.

We have low-noise bends, corrugated bends, sewer bends, increased diameter, standard thick-walled products, as well as shut-off valves and additional elements. The weight of the working coil (50 meters) varies from 50 kilograms to several hundred (on large-diameter products). The appearance is classic, white pipes with factory markings.

PBK polypropylene products are invariably associated with high quality and reliability. These are German products made from polypropylene combined with reinforcing materials and other types of polymers. On this moment, this is the best European manufacturer. You can buy PBK polypropylene pipes for sewerage and water supply in Leroy Merlin chain stores or on the manufacturer’s website.

RVK polypropylene pipes

The weight of one meter of bend with a diameter of 20 centimeters is 150 grams. All diameters are standardized, it is not possible to order original sizes. All products are insured, each bay comes with a 15-year guarantee.

TEBO pipes

TEBO technics is another Turkish manufacturer of polypropylene wiring and fittings. Products undergo three-stage quality control, are regularly tested in “field” conditions, and are also constantly monitored by technologists.

Types of pipes TEBO technics

The proposed pipes are divided into fiberglass reinforced (with a green stripe in the middle of the plastic) and reinforced with a metal layer (gray stripe). Only “classic” diameters – 20 and 25 centimeters – are freely available.

Pro Aqua pipes

This is a product of Ego Engineering. The catalog contains PP-R, PEX and PE-RT pipes.

• PP-R are made from random copolymer. The service life of such bends is more than 50 years. They are produced in sizes from 20 to 125 mm;
• PEX is an anti-diffusion coating system. Designed for cold and hot water supply. They combine the advantages of polypropylene products and metal ones;
• PE-RT have increased heat resistance. Mainly used for connecting radiators, boilers and other heating devices.

Externally, the products are practically no different from each other, with the exception of markings and a different color stripe in the middle of the polypropylene layer.

proaqua PA pipe

Polypropylene pipes from Wavin Ecoplastic

Czech pipes of high quality. The plant is located almost in the suburbs of Prague, due to which the production of products is subject to serious control by environmental and other services. Vavin Ekoplastik has representative offices in all major cities of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. We stock products with reinforcing coating, flexible bends, fittings and other products made of polypropylene.

Ekoplastik Fiber Basalt Plus

Sinicon pipes

Russian polypropylene pipes of the highest quality (according to the manufacturer). The company was formed as a result of the merger of Italian and Russian factories on production plastic products. Now Sinicon is provided:

• Branches for sewerage, water supply, heating systems;
• Pipes with increased diameter for external sewerage;
• Fittings, shut-off valves, turn signals and adapters;
• Seals, filters of various shapes.

Sinicon pipe models

Valtec polypropylene pipes

The Valtek catalog contains single-layer and multi-layer polypropylene pipes. Depending on the characteristics, the products are suitable for heating, cold water supply systems, heating. These systems are reinforced with fiberglass, aluminum or a rigid layer of polyethylene.

Valtec PEX cross-linked polyethylene pipe

Known for high quality and durability. In addition, the manufacturer provides a 10-year warranty on the bends. The exterior is classic gray and white with discreet markings. Due to special processing, they are soft and flexible, suitable for installation in hard-to-reach places.

Which brand of polypropylene pipes is better to choose?

Plastic pipes have advantages over metal ones. They are light, strong, durable and affordable. Rating of polypropylene pipe manufacturers.

A variety of materials are used for laying communication systems necessary for heating air in residential and business premises. It is worth carefully considering one of the most popular options - polypropylene pipes for heating.

They are in some ways inferior to steel and metal-plastic products, but in a number of indicators they surpass their characteristics. In this article we will take a closer look existing varieties polypropylene pipes, features of their marking, advantages and disadvantages of use.

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

Polypropylene (PP) is a polymer that is part of the group of thermoplastics, that is, substances whose properties change depending on the ambient temperature.

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

However, to be on the safe side, manufacturers usually indicate a permissible temperature of 90-95°C, since the combination of elevated temperature (115-120°C) with high pressure 6-7 kgf/m2 can be dangerous

When using PP products, it is important to take into account that this type of plastic has 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

Products made from this type of polymer have many advantages:

• have a complete structure without a longitudinal seam;
• plastic parts do not corrode;
• are light in weight, facilitating transportation and storage;
• can be used even at high pressure;
• easy to install, which allows you to assemble the structures yourself, without the involvement of professionals;
• polypropylene products can be used for a long time (50 years or more);
• the cost of such elements is lower than their analogues (steel, metal-plastic);
• have low thermal conductivity, which reduces heat loss to a minimum;
• do not freeze at sub-zero temperatures;
• they create virtually no 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 the water does not acquire foreign odors;
• such elements are hygienic: polymers do not contribute to the development of single-celled plants and microbes;
• Products made from polypropylene have an aesthetic appearance; they do not require painting or other finishing.

However, to take advantage of all these benefits, you must have the right or.

GOST for plastic pipes

Although there is no separate standard for polypropylene pipes, their quality and characteristics are noted in a single GOST R52134-2003. It lists the standards relating to installation elements (pipes and fittings) made of thermoplastic materials that are used for heating communications and hot water supply.

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

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

The document also regulates the dimensional characteristics of pipes, conditions of use and various technical qualities, such as safety factor, maximum temperature/pressure indicators (they determine the category to which a particular product belongs).

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

The standards are also useful for calculating the wall thickness of products: knowing the required operating conditions and the service life of the pipe, you can find out which parts are suitable in a particular case

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

PP pipes are used for various construction works:

• when installing centralized heating;
• organization of boiler installations;
• cold/hot water supply installations;
• installation of risers;
• installation of "warm floor".

In addition, similar elements can be used in agriculture for structures drainage systems and drainage of soil water, as well as in industry for transportation chemical substances, including aggressive environments.

Types of propylene pipes

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

Various colors

The range of polypropylene pipes includes products of different colors. The most common mounting elements are white, green, gray and black.

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

When choosing polypropylene pipes, you should also pay attention to the color of the products. This criterion is especially important if you plan to install an open system in living rooms or service areas (bathroom, kitchen)

The only exception is plastic products of a radical black hue. As a rule, this color is an indicator of the maximum level of ultraviolet protection.

Constructions of various types

By internal structure All polypropylene pipes can be distinguished into two fundamental categories:

• single-layer, consisting of one layer of plastic;
• multilayer (reinforced) from several shells, which consist not only of plastic, but also of materials that strengthen the structure, creating a durable frame.

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

Types of multilayer pipes

There are several options for multilayer pipes. The most commonly used reinforcement materials are aluminum and fiberglass.

And also follow a few simple rules:

• All work must be carried out at positive temperatures (>5°).
• Polypropylene elements should be protected from contact with open fire.
• Threading on PP parts is prohibited.
• Before starting work, it is necessary to carefully inspect the product to prevent contamination and damage.

Since polypropylene has linear expansion, when installing parts it is necessary to provide for the use of expansion joints, which are made of the same material as the pipes. Such elements are installed in places hidden from view, which are best selected in advance.

Particular attention should be paid to connecting pipes to a tee. Since in plastic structures There are no metals, there is no need to worry about the precipitation of hard salts, due to which the fasteners become almost monolithic

If, when laying a large section of communications, installing a compensator is difficult due to lack of space, it is advisable to provide in the diagram a gap of 5-10 mm, provided for linear expansion.

It should be noted that the expansion coefficient is lower for aluminum-reinforced pipes than for their fiberglass counterparts, but the latter never breaks.

Welding of heating pipes

To weld elements, you must use a special soldering iron, the regulator of which is set to 270 °C.

Features of choosing soldering temperature

When soldering, it is important to take into account the ambient temperature: if the process takes place outside or in a cold room, the nozzle will cool down quickly.

Step-by-step instructions for welding pipes

To solder two sections of pipe made of polypropylene, it is necessary to perform a number of operations.

To cut polypropylene pipes, you can use special scissors, as well as a hacksaw or an electric jigsaw (in the latter case, it is important to remove the chips)

First of all, you need to measure the bottom of the pipe and then cut it off special tool– . If a part reinforced with aluminum is used for installation, it is necessary to first remove the top and middle layers. Burrs are also removed from the cleaned and cut end of the element.

Using a marker on the pipe, the depth of the planned insertion of the fitting is marked. To prevent narrowing of the passage, it is necessary to provide a small (1 mm) interval between the protrusion and the end of the fitting. The connection point is marked with a marker on the surface of the pipe and the fastening component.

The elements are simultaneously placed on two nozzles of the welding machine and heated up for 5 seconds (the period can be extended when using large parts). After they are sufficiently heated, the workpieces must be removed from the nozzles and connected according to the applied marks, pushing them towards each other and pressing evenly (but not screwing them in, as this may damage the layer).

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

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

After this, you can proceed to another stage of work, the plan of which is best developed in advance.

The use of PP pipes that are unsuitable for the heating system or the wrong choice of diameter can lead to fatal consequences - rupture of the product

When conducting welding work With plastic pipes, it is important to prevent the workpieces from overheating, which can be easily determined by the darkening of the material. At excessively high temperatures, polypropylene can melt and clog the pipe, blocking the inside.

To avoid mistakes when soldering and disastrous consequences as a result, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with.

Manufacturers of polypropylene pipes

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

The products of German companies are especially famous: Akwatherm, Rehau, Banninger, Wefatherm, which is distinguished by the highest quality and excellent design. There is only one drawback - the price is too high.

Czech brands are no less popular FV-Plast, "Ecoplastic". Users on the forums are distinguished by the special elasticity of such products, which makes it easier to process (for example, trim) pipes of these brands, and in some cases even allows you to adjust the size of the cut section, stretching it by a couple of centimeters.

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

The cost of Turkish pipes is significantly lower than that of analogues made by European manufacturers, while the quality is quite high

Among the numerous Chinese products, it is worth paying attention to mounting elements Dizayn, Blue Ocean. They have excellent performance characteristics and a budget price.

You should not ignore the products of Russian companies. Company products "Polytek", Heisskraft, RVC, PRO AQUA, Santrade We are 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 intended for heating communications.

When choosing products made of polypropylene, you need to get acquainted with their characteristics in order to accurately determine how well a pipe of one type or another suits the purpose you need.

As a rule, product descriptions contain technical characteristics of products, and also indicate their intended purpose, which allows you to make an error-free choice.

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

Building a house or renovating an apartment involves installing a heating system and choosing materials suitable for this task. Which polypropylene is better for heating is one of the questions that arises during the search process among the wide variety of products on the market. To find the correct answer, you have to review large volumes of information materials, which sometimes contain conflicting data on available polypropylene products. Our article will greatly facilitate the selection process and help you set up a reliable and durable heating system.

A little theory to understand which polypropylene is better and why

In practice, it is better to use polypropylene pipes for heating systems. The advantage of this choice is due, first of all, to the lightness and reliability of the material, ease of installation, long service life and the wide range available on the market. Also, arguments in favor of using polypropylene include safety during operation when supplying hot water.

Pipes made from this material are an excellent alternative to cast iron heating products, which were previously used in plumbing and heating systems. They especially clearly showed their advantage in technical parameters, namely:

Multilayer polypropylene pipe structure, which increases the wear resistance of the products several times, allowing them to be used in cold and hot water supply systems;

Simple and quick heating installation;

Convenient delivery of pipes to their destination due to the lightness of polypropylene;

Easy to maintain;

Polypropylene is better protected from fire;

No painting required;

High tightness of polypropylene;

The material prevents the spread and reproduction of harmful microorganisms and the deposition of salts;

Better withstands high levels of water pressure in heating systems;

Protection against stray currents;

Polypropylene is hygienic and harmless to health, since it does not emit toxic compounds when heated and does not affect the water structure;

The best indicator of hydraulic resistance and absence of fluctuations during transportation of liquid through heating pipes;

Resistance to aggressive chemicals and mechanical damage;

Polypropylene better resists deformation even at high temperatures up to 120 degrees.

And this is not the entire list of advantages of this polymer over other materials for heating installation. It has a more favorable price, a higher quality guarantee and service life (up to 50 years) and other equally important indicators.

Polypropylene pipes are used in various fields of construction:

Installations in the boiler room;

Cold/hot water supply system;

Installation of heated floors;

Central heating system;

Installation of risers;

In agriculture for the purpose of drainage of waste and soil water, arrangement of drainage and irrigation systems;

On industrial enterprises polypropylene is used in systems for delivering compressed oxygen and chemical liquids;

The best selection of polymer pipes from a wide range of manufacturers - Russia, Czech Republic, China, Italy, Turkey and other countries.

Which polypropylene is better for heating, based on its type

Before purchasing polypropylene heating pipes, it is better to familiarize yourself with them technical parameters, scope of application and price/quality ratio. After all the pros and cons are taken into account, you can choose the most optimal product option. Pipe products made of polypropylene according to their design characteristics are divided into:

Single layer;

Multilayer.

Products of the first type are classified by type:

PPH. The simplest type of polypropylene pipes for installing industrial systems, ventilation and water supply systems (cold water supply).

PPV. They are produced on the basis of a blocksomer polymer compound used to install a system of heated floors and cold water supply. This material is better suited for the manufacture of mechanically resistant joints.

PPR. They are made from random copolymer/polypropylene, widely used in cold water supply and various heating systems.

PPs. Separate view plastic products that better withstand heating of the environment up to 95 degrees.

Multilayer heating pipes include reinforced polypropylene products consisting of a durable interlayer frame.

Their main advantage is the ability to reduce temperature load changes in the pipe.

In practice, for heating devices it is better to use polypropylene pipe products reinforced with foil. There are 2 types of such products:

Reinforced;

The main disadvantage reinforced pipelines heating made of polypropylene is the need to strip the foil insert before soldering, since the presence of the insert reduces the reliability of the seam in the structure. At the same time, there are types of pipes with deep insert placement, in which it is better not to strip them.

But still, taking into account all the advantages of polypropylene products for heating, there are a number of significant shortcomings regarding the process of connecting elements. When installing the structure, it is better to install pipes, which can only be done efficiently by a qualified craftsman. It should also be remembered that during the welding process, layers of pipe half the wall thickness are joined.

When choosing polypropylene products and components for them for a heating system, it is necessary to take into account the scope of application, temperature limits working environment and installation conditions.

There are several features that are best taken into account when choosing pipes:

When installing polypropylene heating pipelines, you should use a special soldering iron;

The market offers a wide variety of components made from this material (fittings, couplings, adapters, tees, 45, 90 degree angles) that are required elements;

Connecting fittings made of white and gray polypropylene work best for installing water supply systems and heating systems.

When choosing plastic pipe products, you should familiarize yourself with the features of their characteristics and the possibility of application. Only after this will it be possible to determine which pipe is best suited for heating installation. For each type of polypropylene product, the manufacturer includes detailed instructions and a description of the intended purpose.

It is better to trust the installation of heating from polymer-based pipes only to highly qualified craftsmen with experience.

Which polypropylene pipes are better for heating and easier to install?

Various plastic pipe products are used for heating devices.

The outer layer of the pipe is polypropylene, and the inner layer is made of reinforcing material consisting of foil or fiberglass. They are fastened together with a special glue, and up to five such layers can be present in the pipe.

Five-layer heating pipes (polypropylene) better withstand temperatures up to 90 degrees and pressure up to 25 atmospheres. But at the same time, linear deformation for samples with a fiberglass layer is less pronounced than for products with a foil insert. It is better to use both types of polypropylene pipes in the heating system. Even in places of bends, the fiberglass section is not visible; the appearance of the structure is spoiled only by small curvatures. In terms of technical characteristics, such a pipe is better in terms of reliability and strength.

During installation, the outer layer of polypropylene is peeled off, and after that the pipe is welded to the fittings. It is recommended to use this option in a heating device, since this design withstands linear expansion much better. However, due to additional stripping, installation requires more time.

1. Use a pipe made of suitable material.

If it is decided to use polypropylene elements for heating installation work, then in this case it is necessary to determine which pipe option to choose and which connection methods to use. For a heating system, it is better to purchase reinforced plastic products with a maximum pressure level of 25 atmospheres and a temperature of up to 90 degrees.

We also recommend using polypropylene pipes with aluminum foil reinforcement, since the expansion coefficient in this case is lower than in samples with fiberglass. Although in practice the latter are also often used, especially in places hidden from view.

Using fiberglass-reinforced polypropylene pipes for heating will protect the system from ruptures and damage, which makes them the most profitable option, even despite some external disadvantages.

2. Correct connection.

Special attention should be paid to connecting pipes using a tee. Its main advantage is the absence of metal, which completely eliminates the deposition of salts, and the structure becomes durable and monolithic.

In the process of connecting polypropylene heating pipes using a tee, it is necessary to ensure that when soldering, a kind of edge is formed along the entire circumference.

3. Elimination of traces.

Typically, to prevent traces of linear expansion from being visible, polypropylene expansion joints are used, which are installed in places hidden from view. When working with polymer products, it is better to first take into account all the nuances in order to avoid unforeseen situations. Therefore, first a heating diagram is drawn up from polypropylene pipes, including the boiler and all subsequent branches.

4. Forethought.

If a long section is planned in the heating scheme, then for the compensator it is better to leave a gap of 5 to 10 millimeters between the wall and the rotation of the polypropylene product for linear expansion.

Before connecting two pipes, their edges should be heated for a few seconds to ensure a stronger seal. On the soldering iron, the temperature regulator is set to the optimal value for polypropylene - 270 degrees.

5. Monitor conditions.

If the work will be carried out outdoors, then it is imperative to take into account that at a low temperature the soldering iron will cool faster, so you need to increase the soldering time or increase the temperature with the regulator.

When connecting polypropylene pipes with a large diameter for a heating system, it is also necessary to increase the soldering period. After joining both parts of polymer products, they need to be kept in this state for some time for a more durable bond.

6. Maintain fixation time.

For a quality connection, the fixation duration should be about 30 seconds. But the larger the diameter of the polypropylene heating pipe, the longer it will take.

The soldering iron comes with two attachments, with the help of which the effect of heat is distributed simultaneously to both the external and external parts. outside diameter. During the soldering process, both polypropylene parts heat up, which must be squeezed, pressing them towards each other, but it is better not to twist them, as the adhesive layer may be damaged. The heated polymer coupling smoothly moves towards the side, and a small influx around the circumference also forms on the pipe at the welding site.

7. Dock correctly.

After both heating pipes are heated, they need to be removed from the nozzles and joined. The connected polypropylene parts must cool slightly, after which it is necessary to check the uniformity and tightness of the side.

8. Avoid overheating.

It is necessary to ensure compliance with the operating temperature and soldering time of the workpieces in order to prevent overheating, which is indicated by darkening of the plastic. Such polypropylene melts quickly, which is why it can block and clog the inside of the pipe.

9. Use the correct parts for connection.

For each individual case, certain conditions for joining elements made of polypropylene are provided. In order to understand the sequence of actions, it is better to try to first assemble the entire heating system.

1 – polypropylene coupling for straight sections of the pipeline;

2 – cross;

3 – adapters that provide the ability to solder pipes with different diameters;

4 – coupling adapter for pipes of various diameters (threaded connection);

5 – fittings with a union nut;

6 – adapter, one part of which has internal thread, and the opposite one is intended for connection by soldering;

8 – coupling, similar to the adapter from item 6, but with external thread;

7, 9 – connecting corners, one part of which has an internal/external threaded connection, and the other is intended for soldering;

10 – fastening fittings for wall mounting;

11 – combined tee connection;

12 – tee combined with fasteners;

13, 14, 15 – detachable coupling fittings;

16 – ball valve made of polypropylene;

17 – polypropylene valve;

18 – tee for connecting plumbing equipment;

19 – polypropylene plug;

20 – polypropylene coupling;

21 – support for pipe fasteners (under different meanings diameters);

22 – fastening of bathroom faucets;

23 – compensator;

24 – bypass pipe.

Which polypropylene is better not to use for heating

Now we will determine polypropylene pipes, which are best not to be used for arranging certain heating systems.

Polymer products are classified according to the pressure and temperature of the working environment. The cheapest type of heating pipes is designed for a pressure level of 10 atmospheres and is designated PN-10.

The thickness of the polypropylene wall is from 2.5 to 2.8 millimeters, so it is better not to use such pipes in a heating system, but to use them only for supplying cold water.

The next type of plastic product with a thickness of 3 to 3.2 millimeters is designated PN-16 and is designed for a pressure level of up to 16 atmospheres and a working environment temperature of up to 80 degrees.

Next in the classification are polypropylene pipes with a wall thickness of up to 4 millimeters. They are designated PN-20 and can be used at atmospheric pressure up to 20 atmospheres and working fluid temperature from 80 to 85 degrees.

These pipes are best used for the water supply system: thin-walled for supplying cold water, and thick-walled for hot water. But the listed samples are not used for heating. The main reason is the large linear expansion, in which some sections of the pipeline will bend under the influence of high temperature.

Which polypropylene is better, based on pipe diameter

When drawing up a polypropylene pipeline diagram, it is better to focus on the size of the pipe diameter. When installing a heating system, the results of hydrodynamic calculations should be taken into account.

The main goal when carrying out calculations is to select a pipe with a minimum diameter size, taking into account the pressure of the working medium and the overall design of the heating system.

The main parameter when installing a pipe in a particular place is its diameter.

For example:

Heating pipes with a large diameter, ranging in size from 200 millimeters, are used in the construction of residential buildings, hotels, saunas, hospitals, shopping centers and other buildings designed for occupancy large quantity of people.

Products made of polypropylene with a diameter of 20 to 32 millimeters are relevant in private construction due to their high bandwidth and the ability to give any shape to the bend.

When constructing a central heating system, it is better to use polypropylene samples with a diameter of 25 mm; for autonomous heating, this figure may fluctuate.

Reinforced polypropylene for heating and its characteristics (which manufacturers are better)

Working pressure level

Indicated in the marking of the heating pipe after the letters PN. If the marking indicates PN20, this means that the polypropylene pipe is designed for an atmospheric pressure level of 20 atmospheres, and, accordingly, PN25 - for 25 atmospheres. These samples can withstand maximum pressure and long operating conditions, but even at peak pressure they will not collapse. Of course, for extreme loads it is better to use polypropylene products marked PN25, since with increasing temperature the strength of the heating pipe coolant decreases significantly. So, at a temperature of 90 degrees, the pressure for a sample marked PN20 will no longer be 20 atmospheres, but approximately 6.5 kgf/cm². But in a heating system, this category of pipes remains capable of performing its assigned functions.

Permissible temperature

With the marking of polypropylene pipes, everything should be simple: the maximum operating temperature must be indicated in the form of degrees or other designation (hot&cold). Exceptions are established only for regions with harsh climates, where it is better not to use plastic products in the heating system. The fact is that in practice the temperature regime is not always maintained. So, for example, at a temperature of -50 degrees outside, residential premises become colder than the established norm. In such a situation, apartment residents may demand that the housing and communal services service recalculate heating costs, which is extremely unprofitable for utility companies. In resolving the issue between apartment owners and a thermal power plant interested in saving heat, utility specialists use a simple method: the suction in the elevator unit is turned off and the nozzle is removed, as a result of which water is supplied to the heating system not from the pipeline, but from a coolant with a temperature of more than 100 degrees . Therefore, in the Far East and Yakutia, it is better not to replace pipes with polypropylene products, as this can have unpleasant consequences. It is better to use galvanized steel products for heating in regions with harsh climates.

The best manufacturers

Which manufacturers of polypropylene heating pipes have proven themselves better? The modern market offers a wide range of plastic products from a variety of brands. It's quite difficult to choose from the entire list. the best manufacturer. One of the most popular brands is AQUAPIPE, as well as other equally well-known companies that produce not only polypropylene pipes, but also components for them. When installing a plumbing or heating system, it is best to use products and components from one manufacturer, as this will ensure maximum reliability and durability of the entire structure.

Selecting polypropylene pipes is a very difficult task and requires detailed research and study of the entire range of products presented. The experience of qualified specialists specializing in the sale of these products will help resolve this issue.

The catalog of the SantekhStandart company presents almost the entire range of products and individual components that are ideally suited to each other.

The range of polymer pipeline systems is now represented by many options; you can choose elements and designs to suit every taste from a domestic or foreign manufacturer. A significant part of the pipeline systems offered on the market is made of polypropylene. In this article we will help you figure out how to choose polypropylene pipes.

How to choose polypropylene pipes

Which polypropylene pipes to choose? Let's first figure out why they are so good:

Corrosion resistance. Thanks to this property, polypropylene pipes maintain their quality over a long period of operation.

The service life of polypropylene products is three to four times longer than their metal counterparts.

Highly resistant to biochemical aggressive influences, chemically inert, and have excellent cross-country ability.

They are reliable, and this is well demonstrated by the operation of polypropylene pipes in the cold season. Such pipelines are not subject to ruptures.

They create little noise and vibration, which makes polypropylene pipes ideal for heating systems (extraneous sounds are practically inaudible when using them).

The pressure remains virtually unchanged (low coefficient of hydraulic resistance).

Polypropylene pipes allow you to retain the heat of hot water in pipes 10–20 percent longer compared to metal counterparts.

Polypropylene pipes are easy and inexpensive to install, and the connections are reliable.

The range of fittings is quite large, so you can wire systems of any configuration and complexity.

Polypropylene pipes are harmless to human health.

By design, polypropylene pipes can be:

single-layer;

multilayer.

Single layer polypropylene pipes are characterized by lower cost, they can be chosen for creating almost all types of pipeline systems, but they are not suitable for work at high temperatures, since they are deformed at temperatures of 70–90 ° C.

For high temperature applications, select multilayer propylene pipes, since their thermal stability increases due to reinforcement. They cost more accordingly.

For an apartment, it is better to choose reinforced polypropylene pipes. This is explained as follows: in winter time the temperature of the coolant supplied to the heating system may be higher than the permissible value for single-layer pipes.

Single-layer products have designations on the basis of which you can find out about the composition, and they will also help you understand which polypropylene pipes should be chosen for the water supply system:

Marking	Name	Peculiarities	Areas of use
	Homopolymer	High hardness. Lack of resistance to low temperatures	Ventilation systems. Industrial pipelines
	Block copolymer	Flexibility. Frost resistance	Cold water supply systems. Warm floor systems. Manufacturing of impact-resistant fittings and pipes
	Statistical copolymer	High strength. Ability to withstand short-term temperature surges up to +110 °C. Restoring shape after defrosting. High resistance to acids and alkalis. Excellent sound insulation	Cold and hot water supply systems. Warm floors system. Heating systems in private houses. Compressed air systems

Important! Which polypropylene pipes to choose for heating? We recommend single-layer ones with PPR markings. They have proven themselves in their work, and the price is almost the same as that of their analogues.

As mentioned above, for an apartment it is better to choose polypropylene multilayer reinforced pipes.

Such pipes have higher rigidity and heat resistance. They are a little more expensive, but it makes sense to pay a little extra for best characteristics. And yet, difficulties may arise during their installation, since reinforcement must be removed at the soldering points.

Reinforcement of polypropylene pipes can be done in one of two ways:

with foil intermediate layer;

glass fiber reinforcement.

Consider foil-lined polypropylene pipes. If the foil is too close to the outside, it can be removed with a shaver. If it is located closer to the inside of the product, then the cut edge is trimmed to prevent contact between it and the coolant. Be that as it may, welding will entail additional work. Such pipes vary depending on the structure of the reinforcing layer:

Perforated layer. That is, there are holes in the foil through which polypropylene flows during the process of pouring the workpiece, which results in a reliable connection without the need for glue.

Solid layer. Such polypropylene pipes have three layers, well glued together.

A fiberglass pipe is reinforced by adding fiberglass filler to polypropylene. The advantages of this method are as follows:

there is no need to clean the edges of the polypropylene pipe before starting welding;

the rigidity coefficient of the polypropylene pipe increases;

the thermal expansion rate decreases by 75%;

monolithic structure: you cannot see different layers in the product.

If you decide to choose reinforced polypropylene pipes for yourself, we advise you to consider options with fiberglass. Their characteristics are in many respects better than those of their metal-plastic counterparts.

Before you finally select polypropylene pipes for a specific purpose, pay attention to all designations starting with the letters PN. This will allow you to find out for what specific conditions these pipes are designed.

The classification of polypropylene pipes according to this criterion looks like this:

• PN 10. You should choose this product for low temperatures of the working fluid (within +20 °C). Maximum pressure – up to 1 MPa.

• PN 16. Such polypropylene pipes can be selected for operation at both low and high temperatures (up to +60 ° C), pressure can reach 1.6 MPa.

• PN 20. These polypropylene pipes should be selected for high temperatures (up to +95 ° C) and pressures of 2 MPa.

• PN 25. These polypropylene pipes are reinforced and should be chosen for heating systems. They do not fail due to temperature fluctuations, can withstand temperatures exceeding +95 °C, and the operating pressure can be up to 2 MPa.

As the number following the letters PN increases, the performance properties and cost of polypropylene pipes improve. In order not to have to pay extra, before you finally choose a product, decide what indicators you need: for cold water supply there is no need to purchase fairly expensive reinforced samples.

What color of polypropylene pipes is better to choose? Experts do not give a definite answer to this question: some think that the applied color does not change the technical characteristics of the pipes, while others are of the opposite opinion.

Below we will describe what the characteristics of polypropylene pipes may be depending on the color.

White:

the ability not to fail at a pressure of 25 bar;

low price;

no corrosion.

Grey:

resistance to high temperatures;

long period of operation;

environmental cleanliness;

excellent tightness.

Black:

UV resistance;

resistance to aggressive acids and alkalis;

resistance to drying effect;

increased strength parameters.

Green. Such polypropylene pipes are cheap, have a low operating pressure threshold, and are usually used to equip a garden irrigation system.

Thus, before choosing polypropylene pipes, we recommend that you study the features of these products, painted in one color or another.

If you decide to choose polypropylene pipes, then before purchasing, take a look at the manufacturer’s official website. You need to do the following:

Remember the logo, the font used, the letters and their color, the number of large letters. In other words, you need to look very carefully at the logo and its spelling. In fakes they usually change/omit/double one of the letters. Thanks to this, companies can avoid claims, since if the letter is different, then the brand is different.

Now you need to study the assortment and first select what you need. After this, study the color and location of the markings. This will help you in the store to distinguish the product from a fake (if the store contains a product that differs in color or any details, then it is a fake). In this case, we recommend going to another store and choosing something of better quality there.

Please review product samples before purchasing. Pipes, fittings good companies have smooth walls (both external and internal). They have no sagging, depressions or other defects.

Consider the cut of the pipe or fitting. The wall should have the same thickness. In a reinforced pipe, the reinforcing material is surrounded by polypropylene rings of equal thickness. If you can see with the naked eye that it is uneven, then you should choose another product.

Thus, in order to choose a good polypropylene pipe, you need to pay attention to many details, and you should have a good overall impression of the product.

How to choose a soldering iron for polypropylene pipes

In this section of the article we will try to figure out which machine is best to choose for welding polypropylene pipes?

Soldering irons are almost the same in design, but in order to choose the most suitable one, it is necessary to take into account the difference in the method of attaching the nozzles to the heating surface.

The soldering iron consists of the following parts:

body with handle;

welding heating element in a cast metal casing;

thermostat;

special nozzles.

A soldering iron is very similar in design to an iron. These devices differ from each other only in purpose and shape. A soldering iron, like an iron, has the main elements of a powerful heating element and a thermostat. The heating element is mounted in a flat or round housing.

In order to choose the most suitable mounting design for working attachments, you need to pay attention to the shape of the body. The soldering iron works according to the following scheme: the heating element is connected to the electrical network and heats the plate, and it heats the nozzles.

Heated nozzles transform polypropylene into a viscous mass, which allows you to create a hermetically sealed pipe connection. The nozzles should ideally be heated to a temperature of +260 °C, to maintain which the thermostat operates. This device is necessary to ensure that the propylene does not overheat, otherwise it will become too liquid, “leak” and this will reduce the diameter of the pipeline or damage it.

If the heating is insufficient, the tightness of the connection will not be sufficiently reliable. The temperature regulator performs another important function - it protects the heating element, preventing the metal head of the tool from melting. Cheaper soldering irons have built-in low-quality thermostats, due to which polypropylene pipes may not be heated enough or, conversely, too hot. This will negatively affect the quality of the work performed by the installer.

In order for the soldering iron to work well, you should choose a high-quality nozzle, which directly determines how the joint will turn out. The nozzles have different coatings. It is important to choose them in such a way that the non-stick layer has sufficient thickness. It is most reliable if the nozzles are coated with Teflon or metallized Teflon, which is even more durable. Both materials are heated evenly at the ends of polypropylene pipes.

In order to choose this device correctly, you need to pay attention to its characteristics.

Power

The most important indicator of the quality of a soldering iron. It determines what the maximum diameter of the polypropylene pipes to be connected and the heating time of the soldering iron can be; therefore, the power affects the installation speed, which is very important when it is necessary to perform large volumes of work. You cannot think that it would be better to choose a device that requires a lot of power. Often, buyers purchase a device with a power of 1.5–2 kilowatts, but this is the wrong approach.

In order to choose a soldering iron of the power you need, remember the rule: multiply the diameter of the pipes to be connected in millimeters by 10, this will be the minimum power of the device in watts. To carry out pipe installation work in suitable for apartment soldering iron with a power of 700 W (pipe diameter is usually 16–63 mm). We recommend that professionals choose more powerful devices of 1.5–2.0 kW, since the diameter of the connected polypropylene pipes is more than 100 mm.

Set of nozzles

The work you do will be more efficient if you install several attachments on your soldering iron at the same time. This will improve the functionality of the device and its usability. Nozzles, as a rule, come complete with the purchased device; they are suitable for soldering polypropylene pipes of standard diameter. The 20th nozzle is used to connect metal pipes with a diameter of 0.5 inches, the 25th and 40th nozzles are used for pipes with a diameter of 0.75 and 1.25 inches. If it becomes necessary to connect polypropylene pipes with a large diameter, nozzles will have to be purchased separately. With a hand soldering iron you can mount polypropylene pipes with a diameter of no more than 63 mm (this corresponds to steel pipe 2 inches in diameter).

In order to choose the nozzles you need, you need to take into account the performance of the device: the value of this indicator directly affects the size of the nozzle diameter. In addition, it is important to take into account the specifics of the work being performed. Here you need to answer the question: what diameter of polypropylene pipes should you choose? For professional repair Pipes with a diameter of 10 to 110 millimeters may be required. Home craftsmen only work with sizes of 16 mm (0.5 inches), 24 mm (1 inch) and 32 mm (1.25 inches). There is no need to buy any other attachments, since the sizes listed above are quite sufficient for non-professional repairs.

It is also important to choose the right construction material for the nozzle. Preference should be given to materials with good thermal conductivity and Teflon coating. To do household work you only need 2-3 attachments, so it will not be difficult to purchase quality products.

Heating temperature and thermostat

Welding machines used to connect polypropylene pipes are heated, as a rule, to a temperature of +50... +300 °C. The most common equipment is one that operates at a temperature of +260 °C. It is important that the symbols on the thermostat scale are written clearly and legibly; the position of the flywheel must be securely fixed so that if accidentally touched it does not change the set temperature.

You can choose a device that provides a digital indication of the heating temperature. For home use there is no need for such a function, especially since it increases the cost of welding equipment.

You can choose a device that has a built-in power button, which makes using the tool somewhat easier (no need to insert/pull out the plug into the socket). If the device is designed for professional work, then it may have two heating stages that can be switched if necessary. If you decide to choose a device that is of particularly high quality, then it will most likely be equipped with an emergency system for disconnecting from the network in the event of a threat of overheating.

Device ergonomics

The device should be comfortable to use. It is important that its handle fits comfortably in your hand, is covered with an anti-slip layer, and does not heat up.

The design and reliability of the stand is also an important detail. If you decide to choose tripods or arcs, then be prepared for the fact that they can slide on the flat surface on which they are installed. It is better to purchase a device with a stand in the form of a platform. In the case where you plan to carry out most of the work in the workshop on a workbench, you should choose a welding soldering iron on a stand; it should be equipped with a clamping device for fixing on the edge of the work surface, this is how you can achieve maximum stability.

Equipment

It is often more profitable and convenient to buy a device that is already equipped with all the right tools and accessories. As a rule, they are packaged in a compact metal case, which is very convenient for the master.

The device comes complete with a stand, couplings and mandrels of six different diameters, screws, a screwdriver and an allen key for installing equipment, special scissors for cutting polypropylene pipes, a tape measure (there may also be a small bubble level for precise marking and alignment of pipes at the installation site ), work gloves to prevent burns.

You don't have to buy it all as a set, but buying these items individually will cost more.

Manufacturer and brand

In order to choose a soldering iron for polypropylene pipes, you need to find out in which country it was produced, because both the price and quality of the device depend on this. There is even an unofficial rating of tools made in different manufacturing countries, based on customer reviews:

Germany;

If you want to choose the most reliable tools, then give preference to Germany. A soldering iron for polypropylene pipes made in this country will serve you for many years. Professionals, as a rule, purchase Czech instruments, as they are of the highest quality and functionality. If you decide to choose devices made in Europe, know that they are more expensive, but with their help you can get more work done.

Models made in Russia and Turkey are cheaper and have their own characteristics when used, but they are suitable for home repairs.

The Russian market is filled with Chinese models, but they have low quality and, accordingly, lower prices. However, if you follow the operating conditions, they will last quite a long time. Such a device can be chosen by those who will use it only a couple of times a year.

The company’s specialists are always happy to help you with the choice of high-quality and durable polypropylene pipes "SantechStandard". By cooperating with us, you gain the following advantages:

quality products at reasonable prices;

constant availability of products in stock in any quantities;

conveniently located warehouse complexes in St. Petersburg, Moscow, Novosibirsk and Samara;

free delivery in St. Petersburg, Moscow, Novosibirsk, Samara, including to transport companies;

delivery of goods to the regions through any transport companies;

individual approach and flexible work with each client;

discounts and various promotions for regular customers;

certified and insured products;

trademarks registered in Russia, which is additional protection against low-quality counterfeits.

The specialists of our company “SantechStandard” are ready to help both individuals and companies choose plumbing equipment. You just need to contact us by phone:

Over time, individual parts of the home's heating system wear out, and it is necessary to carry out repairs or change the design to a new one. Today there are many materials from which pipes for heating systems are made. And one of the most popular is polypropylene for space heating. The main advantages of polypropylene pipes, what you should pay attention to when choosing which manufacturers to give preference to - this article will tell you about all of this.

Polypropylene pipes are used quite widely. And this is due to the presence of a number of significant advantages of this type of structure. Among the main positive aspects are the high thermal conductivity coefficient. This allows heat loss to be kept to a minimum. Such products have welded connections. And this is much more reliable and durable when compared with collet connections. And it allows you to significantly extend the service life of the product. It should also be noted that the price of PP heating pipes is low. Almost anyone can install a polypropylene pipeline.

Polypropylene structures can be conventional or reinforced. Ordinary ones are susceptible to the negative effects of high temperatures: when heated, the size of the product may change. Therefore, when equipping heating with natural circulation from polypropylene, it is better to choose a reinforced option.

How to choose polypropylene pipes for a heating system?

Many, planning to replace a heating structure, wonder what types of polypropylene pipes for heating there are, how to choose the best? To get an answer to this question, we need to consider the main characteristics of polypropylene and the factors that need to be taken into account when choosing.

As mentioned above, polypropylene has such a feature as a change in physical properties under the influence of high temperatures. For example, at a temperature of +140 degrees, the material begins to soften. And at +170 degrees, pp pipes for heating begin to melt.

The maximum permissible temperature for operating polypropylene products is +120 degrees.

Of course, some manufacturers, for reinsurance, indicate a lower temperature indicator in the product data sheet - about +95 degrees. It should be noted that polypropylene heating pipes have a high coefficient of thermal expansion. For example, if the product is 3 meters long, then at a temperature from +20 to +90 degrees the pipe will lengthen by several centimeters.

The main factors for choosing polypropylene pipes include:

1. Operating pressure. This parameter is indicated in the product labeling after the letters PN. For example, PN25 means that the PPR pipe for heating is designed for a working pressure of 25 atmospheres.
2. Temperature. It is also indicated on the product labeling. For example, 90C. It may also indicate that the pipes are for hot water.
3. 
   Reinforcement. Is highly desirable. Because it means that the pipes are more tensile strength and have a lower coefficient of thermal expansion compared to conventional polypropylene products. This raises the question of which polypropylene pipes are better for heating: those reinforced with fiberglass or aluminum. But, as a rule, the choice has more to do with personal preferences. If the manufacturer is well-known and has a good reputation, then no matter how the product was reinforced, it will be of the same quality.
4. 
   Diameter. This indicator should not be less than the internal cross-section of the risers. If you are replacing heating pipes in an apartment with polypropylene ones, you must remember that the wall thickness of a polypropylene product is greater than that of a steel pipeline. For old buildings, pipes with an outer diameter of 2.6 cm are preferable. In the private sector with a single-pipe or two-pipe wiring diagram, pipes with a diameter of 3.2 to 4 cm are suitable. You can read about a two-pipe heating system. Batteries with a pipe diameter of 2 or 2.6 cm can be inserted into the wiring.
5. Price. The price per meter for polypropylene heating pipes is indicated; this must be taken into account when choosing. It is very important to correctly calculate the required length of the product. Of course, you shouldn’t rely only on price when choosing. Models that are too cheap from little-known companies may be of low quality and are unlikely to last long or cause serious problems during operation. Many people wonder how to choose polypropylene pipes for heating; the price fluctuates in a wide range? It is better to choose products that are characterized optimal ratio prices and quality.
6. Manufacturer. It is better to give preference to well-known companies that have been operating on the market for a long time and have positive reviews from clients. Naturally, German companies are the leaders in the production of high-quality polypropylene pipes for heating. For example, companies Wefatherm, Banninger, Rehau and Akwatherm. Pipes from the Czech Republic are also of excellent quality. For example, the companies FV-Plast and Ekoplastik. But the products of these brands are highly expensive.

Turkish manufacturers produce PP pipes for heating, the price of which is more affordable for Russian consumers. The quality of the products is at a sufficient level high level. Here you can name the companies Kalde, Pilsa, TEBO, Jakko, Firat, Vesbo. Kalde products are in greatest demand. Therefore, it is worth considering the pipes of this manufacturer in more detail.

Kalde products

The Calde company produces pipes and heating components made of polypropylene, which are easy and quick to install. Thanks to this, each user can carry out the installation on their own, even without the knowledge of performing construction work.

Among the main advantages of the polypropylene composition of the Calde company are:

All this allows you to operate Calde heating pipes at any temperature conditions and temperature changes. Such pipes are suitable not only for heating structures, but also for sewer and street systems. If liquid freezes in the pipes, polypropylene pipes will not rupture. They will just increase in size a little. Due to this property, there is no need to use antifreeze or propylene glycol for heating systems.

After defrosting, pp products restore their original appearance and become ready for use. Also, modern models of Calde pipes are characterized by low heat loss. If we compare with classical metal structures, polypropylene products have much lower thermal conductivity - about 25%. Therefore, the pipes retain heat longer. You can buy such propylene pipes for heating on the manufacturer’s official website or in a specialized store.

Installation features

There are a number of requirements in accordance with which heating must be created. They are spelled out in a special document - SNIP. Following the rules of snip, internal heating networks will be equipped correctly.

Before equipping a heat supply system, it is important to familiarize yourself with the SNIP document.

Since polypropylene pipes have good operational parameters and affordable cost, many prefer to install just such structures. It should be noted that installation is very simple. Even a person who has not previously carried out work on replacing heating pipes can learn how to solder such pipes.

Before soldering polypropylene pipes for heating, you need to purchase necessary equipment– a welding machine or soldering iron, and attachments for it of the required diameter. You will also need a grinder or special scissors for cutting pipes, a marking tool, a pencil or marker. If fastening to the wall will be done with clips, you will need a drill or hammer drill. The quality of the result depends on how accurately the technology for welding polypropylene heating pipes is followed.

The installation algorithm consists of a number of actions:

Thus, PP pipes for heating are a worthy alternative to other types of pipes. There are a number of factors to consider when choosing pipes. Due to the fact that polypropylene products are characterized by high performance characteristics, today most residents of city apartments and the private sector prefer to install them.