Metal-plastic pipe: technical characteristics, types, diameter

The main component of any engineering networks is certainly a pipe. Today, the pipe is very popular. Technical characteristics allow using this material both in everyday life and in production. In the household, these products are used for laying warm floors, construction of heating and water supply systems.

What is a plastic pipe?

The metal-plastic pipe consists of a supporting aluminum layer, and also a thick layer of polyethylene attached to it from the inside and out. Such a structure allows advantageous use of the positive qualities of two different materials and neutralize negative ones.

Polyethylene layers protect aluminum from corrosion and formation of overlays on the inside, aluminum also reduces the significant expansion of polyethylene and the influence of ultraviolet, and also gives the product rigidity. The service life and reliability of the pipes depend on the quality of the glue that holds all the layers together. The adhesive eliminates delamination during installation and temperature changes.

In order for the choice to be correct, it is necessary to know what kinds of metal-plastic pipes are and how to use them.

1. For the aqueduct. In this case, you can use any products, since there are no temperature differences.
2. For heating systems and hot water supply. Here it is necessary to pay attention to the marking, it should be marked with the type PE-RT-AL-PE-RT or Pex-AL.

Metal-plastic pipe. Specifications

• The manufacturers mainly produce pipes with a diameter of 16 mm, 20 mm, 26 mm, 32 mm and 40 mm. But if you want, you can find products 50 mm and 63 mm.
• Metal-plastic pipe 16 mm long 1 linear meter weighs approximately 100 g.
• The working pressure of the material is 10 atmospheres.
• The maximum working temperature of the products is 95 ° С. Permissible short-term exposure is 110 ° C.
• Pipes are produced with a wall thickness of 2 mm, 2.5 mm and 3 mm.
• The radius of manual bending is 80-550 mm, by means of a bent pipe - 45-180 mm.

The minimum diameter of metal-plastic pipes is permissible only in the case when the central system maintains a normal pressure. When constructing extensive wiring in a private house, it is better to use products with a caliber of 32 mm and 40 mm.

The only negative that have metal-plastic pipes - the price. She is very happy, especially with foreign producers. However, the price / quality ratio is better for them than for plastic and steel ones.

Advantages of metal-plastic pipes

The metal-plastic pipe, whose technical characteristics, despite the popularity of the material, are not known to everyone, has some competitive advantages:

• Durability (the service life of pipes can reach 50 years);
• Absence of toxicity;
• Resistance to the effects of an aggressive environment;
• Light weight, which allows you to install the engineering systems in a short time, with no unnecessary load on the foundation;
• Easy repair;
• Convenience in delivery - the pipes are let out with a large footprint in the bays, which ensures minimization of waste when measuring and cutting;
• The absence of stray currents ;
• Good ductility, due to which the pipes do not break when the water in them freezes;
• Do not need welding, masking and painting;
• High noise absorption, which makes it possible not to use additional insulation;
• No linear stretching.

Installation of metal-plastic pipes

To assemble a high-quality system, it is necessary to know how to connect metal-plastic pipes. Installation involves the use of special fittings, which are divided into two types:

• Press fittings, or crimping.
• Compression or threaded.

Installation of metal-plastic pipes by means of press fittings

The use of press fittings makes it possible to obtain an all-in-one and very reliable design, which makes it possible to avoid leaks. Therefore, when hidden wiring experts advise to work with this type of connection.

In order to install a crimp fitting, you need to stock up with press pliers. This special tool can be manual or hydraulic. Before starting to work, you need to understand how to connect metal-plastic pipes with press fittings.

• To begin with, the product is cut using special scissors.
• The end of the material is processed by a calibrator - a special reamer, which simultaneously aligns the cutting site and removes the internal chamfer.
• The outer edge of the pipe is machined by means of a face-extractor.
• From the fitting, the sleeve is removed and then the sealing rings are carefully inspected. They should not be damaged or defective. After checking, the cartridge is in place.
• The connector end is inserted into the pipe as far as it will go.
• Press the pliers are installed over the sleeve, and then connect the tool handles.

Repeated crimping of the same sleeve is prohibited, therefore, if the fitting has been installed unqualified, it should be replaced.

Especially press fittings are convenient when different diameter of metal-plastic pipes, which need to be connected together. Parts fastening products with the same caliber are called straight. And those that connect sections of different diameters - transitional.

Installation of metal-plastic pipes by means of compression fittings

This method of connection is especially popular in self-assembly, because its use does not need to resort to the help of special tools. Tightening can be done with two conventional wrenches. The sequence of the operation is represented by the following list:

• The pipe, as in the case with press fittings, must be pre-prepared.
• On the cut, the nut is initially put on, and then the crimping ring.
• A connection fitting is inserted into the product.
• The crimping ring goes to the fitting, then a nut is attached, which covers the ring.
• Using two keys tighten the nut.

Without fittings, no assembly can do without, in which metal-plastic pipes take part. The price for the press-parts is slightly higher, besides, such installation is considered one-time, because the connection is not foldable. And this is perhaps the main drawback of such fittings, despite this, they perform their direct duties perfectly.

The metal-plastic pipe, whose technical characteristics are very attractive, is becoming increasingly popular. Today, the product line covers more than 25% of the entire market of metal-polymer products, which is involved in various construction and installation works.