Fiberglass reinforced pipes for hot water. Polypropylene pipe reinforced with fiberglass for heating and hot water

Menu:

general characteristics

Pipes reinforced with fiberglass create serious competition for analogues reinforced with aluminum foil. For such risers, a characteristic three-layer construction: polypropylene - fiberglass - polypropylene. The reinforcing layer is also made of propylene, reinforced with fiber fibers - glass fibers.
According to its technical parameters, the adhesion of plastic to fiberglass can be compared with the strength of a monolith.

For fiberglass-reinforced pipes, the following marking is typical: PPR-FB-PPR.

If we compare the risers with an aluminum and fiberglass frame, then the first option has one significant advantage: the products are more rigid. This means that when mounting systems with a length of 1.5 meters or more, such risers must be attached to the walls with special fasteners. Otherwise, sagging, deformation, failure of the structure is possible.

Regarding diameters, it should be noted that products can be produced with diameters from 20 mm to 110 mm. It is these risers that can be found on sale more often than others. Although, for example, elements with a diameter of 17 mm or less are used to equip underfloor heating.

Products of small diameters are fixed with plastic clips, and large ones with clamps.

Polypropylene products

Reinforced fiberglass depend on the polymer used to make them. All products are marked, which makes it possible to immediately determine the areas of use of tubular parts.

Let's find out. So, PPR - English, and PPR - Russian name means that this is a Polypropylene pipe from a Random copolymer.

Such polypropylene pipes reinforced with fiberglass are used for heating, plumbing, ventilation systems, industrial pipelines.

When arranging engineering networks, PPR pipes reinforced with fiberglass are increasingly being used. There is nothing strange in this, since they are reliable, light enough, and there are much fewer problems with their installation.

Another important factor is cost. For example, the price of PPR pipes reinforced with fiberglass for heating is lower than metal counterparts, which helps to save the family budget. These, as well as other characteristics that a glass fiber reinforced polypropylene pipe possesses, contributed to its popularization and use in various areas of the national economy.

Reading this article: The main characteristics and scope and what influences its choice. Classification by pressure and composition of raw materials. Polar questions and answers to them.

10 pluses

High-quality material with the use of modern production technologies, in combination, provide the communications in question with popularity.

What are the main positive characteristics of fiberglass reinforced pipes?

The advantages are definitely:

1. Corrosion resistance.
   To be more precise, this material does not rust at all. Due to this, systems made of polypropylene pipes reinforced with fiberglass, which are used for heating, plumbing, ventilation, do not require replacement for many years.
2. Long service life.
   Subject to operational standards and regulations, products made of polymers last about 4 times longer than their metal counterparts.
3. Low thermal conductivity.
   This property completely eliminates the appearance of condensate on pipelines during their operation.
4. Small noises and vibrations.
   Due to the design, polypropylene pipes almost do not transmit sound, which occurs as a result of the movement of liquid media. Therefore, the appearance of uncomfortable conditions in the premises is completely excluded.
5. The complete absence of defrosting.
   This means that even at sub-zero temperatures, only a slight expansion of polypropylene pipes reinforced with glass fiber is observed, which cannot be said about products made of steel, copper, metal-plastic. The last three options for water risers can simply burst under the influence of frost.
6. Ease of installation.
   You do not need to have special knowledge and skills for laying the highway. It is enough just once with your own hands to try to lay the system, and then everything will go “like clockwork”. Engineering communications of the most complex configurations are performed very easily. This is facilitated by the presence of a large number of fittings.
7. Absolute tightness of joints.
   , which means, in the future, the ideal functioning of the pipeline.
8. No minimum deposits, head loss, which is ensured by the smoothness of the inner surface.
9. Chemical inertness, which is expressed in increased resistance to aggressive environments.
10. Lightness, ease of maintenance.
    Products do not need to be painted, and the reliability of the connections allows the lines to be operated without repair for more than a dozen years.

Some of the best fiberglass reinforced pipes today are considered to be the German piping systems aquatherm GmbH. You can buy from a representative of the plant of the Agpipe Group of Companies (https://agpipe.ru/trubi_armirovannie_steklovoloknom) - a detailed description of products, characteristics, assortment and much more.

4 cons

As evidenced by the reviews, polypropylene pipes reinforced with fiberglass for heating or plumbing have some disadvantages.

1. Mandatory pre-treatment.
   This means that there are PPR pipes that must be trimmed before welding. This procedure can be performed with a simple file or a special device. This, in some way, complicates the installation work.
2. Sensitivity to mechanical influences.
   Although PPR pipes are not brittle, they are not as strong as metal parts, for example. Given this, when passing the highway under the roads, the risers are protected by special boxes.
3. Products are not recommended to bend, but only join using fittings or welding.

What are the types of pipes made of polymers

At present, 2 types of polymer products are known:

• single layer;
• multilayer.

What are the characteristics of each type of product?

Single layer

There are 4 modifications of one-piece polypropylene risers used for heating or water supply.

1st type: PPN pipes.
For their production homopolypropylene is used. They are used in engineering pipeline structures for supplying cold water, arranging ventilation, industrial highways.

2nd type: RRV pipes.
The basis for production is a block copolymer of polypropylene. Products are intended for installation of underfloor heating, cold water supply networks.

3rd type: PPR pipes.
The material for the production of parts is a random copolymer of polypropylene. The main property of the substance: promoting a uniform distribution of loads on the inner walls of pipelines.

Hot, cold water supply, underfloor heating systems, water radiator heating - this is a list of the use of risers of this type.

4th type: PPs pipes.
The main characteristic of the products: polypropylene with increased heat resistance is used for production.

The details of such a line are able to withstand the temperature of the transported media up to + 95⁰С. If necessary, during a short period of time it is possible to transport the medium with a temperature of up to +110⁰С.

The first three analogues are designed for operation at temperatures around +70⁰С. In short-term mode, operation is also allowed at slightly higher temperature values.

Products of the 3rd type are covered with a special sheath, which can completely eliminate the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation.

Important! You should not often use the operation of the system in the mode of maximum permissible parameters.

About multilayer analogues

Polypropylene (pp) pipes consisting of several layers are reinforced with fiberglass, water supply. In comparison with one-piece cast structures, PP products practically do not change their linear dimensions at high temperatures of the transported media. Due to this property, the scope of application of solid-cast communications is significantly expanded.

The following modifications of multilayer risers can be distinguished.

1. Products reinforced with perforated aluminum foil.

They are characterized by the presence, on the outer or middle layer, of holes of small diameters in the form of a mesh. The strength of the bonding with the polymer is due to the viscosity, as well as the fluidity of the substance that penetrates into the holes of the aluminum layer.

Product advantages

• Low coefficient of linear expansion;
• increased strength.

Minuses

• In the process of welding, docking with fittings of only the upper layer of the riser is reliable enough;
• aluminum reinforcement must be removed before welding, since failure to perform this operation may cause a poor-quality connection.

2. PP pipes with solid aluminum foil reinforcement.

The foil can be located both on the outer and on the middle layer of the pipe part, but it is imperative that polymer layers are placed on both sides of the metal.

Before proceeding with welding, it is necessary to trim the risers. Thanks to the procedure, the possibility of aluminum contact with the moving medium is excluded.

Advantages

• Low coefficient of thermal expansion;
• increased strength properties.

The disadvantages include:

• Not all layers are welded reliably. In places of welding, only the connection of the outer layer is absolutely reliable;
• obligatory removal of unnecessary aluminum residues, which takes a lot of time.

Important! To remove the aluminum layer before welding, you need to use a special tool. Its purpose: to accurately measure the depth to which the pipes should be lowered into the fittings in order to clean the inner surface to the same distance.

Failure to comply with this condition may lead to an unreliable connection, which is fraught with the occurrence of electrochemical processes when the foil comes into contact with water.

Individual enterprises have mastered the production of communications of this type, the design of which does not foresee preliminary cleaning before welding.

3. PP products with reinforcement in the form of polyethylene.

That is, the outer layer of the pipe looks like a thick polyethylene layer.

Advantages

• Small coefficient of thermal expansion;
• cleaning is not required before joining by welding;
• operation at high temperatures.

Minuses

• When docking, a reliable connection of the fitting is possible only with the outer layer;
• full contact of the transported medium and polyethylene is not excluded;
• strength characteristics wish to be the best, since the layers between themselves.

4. PP pipe with fiberglass reinforcement.

Design feature: the presence of a middle polypropylene layer with a filler in the form of fiberglass. Fillers are often colored in order to better distinguish them visually.

The advantages of this type of communication are greater than those of previous analogues combined.

First of all: structures with pipes reinforced with fiberglass for heating or water supply have high strength and solidity.

Secondly: fiberglass-reinforced risers are characterized by a relatively low coefficient of thermal expansion, which is approximately 25% less than that of unreinforced counterparts.

Thirdly: before hot docking, it is not necessary to clean the ends of the elements to be joined.

Fourth: fiberglass line has increased rigidity.

Fiberglass elements have one drawback, and even that has not yet been fully proven: the penetration of oxygen through the material.

If this fact is fully confirmed, an accelerated process of corrosion of the metal from which the boilers are made is possible.

Theoretically, such a minus is possible, but in practice, research is still being carried out.

How elements are connected to each other

PPR pipes reinforced with fiberglass can be connected into a single structure by diffusion welding or fittings (adapters, couplings, tees and other parts).

In each of the methods, the so-called welding machine. The risers docked in this way create a monolithic non-separable structure.

The presence of special adapters in the form of threaded, flanged connections makes it possible to fasten the PPR polypropylene pipe reinforced with fiberglass with a metal line corresponding to fittings.

What is a pipe polypropylene fiber reinforced with fiberglass

These products are 3-layer polypropylene pipes reinforced with FIBER fiberglass.

They differ:

• increased resistance to corrosion processes and chemical influences;
• abrasive resistance;
• hygiene. Due to this property, the products have found their application in the installation of drinking water pipelines;
• environmental safety;
• long service life;
• ease of installation.

In addition, the products are universal in their use.

This is manifested in the fact that they are used:

• when installing underfloor heating, water heating;
• for supplying hot, cold water;
• in the process of arranging drainage and sewer systems.

Due to the design features of the risers, the product practically does not change its linear dimensions, which is very important when installing heating and ventilation communications.

How to choose

This question is asked by everyone who deals with the arrangement of pipe structures during repairs or when building a new house. The main thing is that the planned highway should be of high quality and cheap.

For the optimal solution of the issue, you need to have knowledge of the technical characteristics of the system that is planned to be built.

Experts advise to adhere to certain recommendations regarding other characteristics, the main of which are:

• diameter;
• pressure;
• manufacturers.

1. Required diameters.

Today's market is saturated with products with diameters of 20-110 mm.

In everyday life, elements with a diameter of up to 40 mm are most often used. Risers of this thickness are used in the arrangement of heating, ventilation systems, hot and cold water supply.

In some cases, the most accurate calculations are needed when mounting certain communications. In such situations, it is necessary to use the services of specialists who, using formulas, will make the necessary calculations. Given the maximum flow rate of water, the speed of its movement, professionals will tell you as accurately as possible what diameter riser should be used in a particular case.

2. What pressure are the parts rated for?

To a person who is not familiar with the specifics of such work, the task of choosing a riser that can withstand a certain pressure seems quite difficult. But this is at first glance. In fact, the problem is solved simply.

To do this, you need to: know what pressure the heating or plumbing system is designed for and ... be able to read. This means that since there is a marking on all PPR pipes reinforced with fiberglass, it contains all the information about the product. Here it is written what maximum pressure the product is designed for.

Mostly, in everyday life, communications with the inscription PN20 are used, which means that the part can be operated in lines with pressure up to 20 atm. This number is exaggerated, since such pressure is not observed in household mains. For example, in heating systems of one-story buildings, the nominal pressure is 2.5 - 4 atmospheres. But a margin of safety won't hurt.

Regarding the diameter, it is necessary to select the appropriate fittings.

Important! The best option for selecting pipes and fittings is the presence of parts not only of the same diameter, but also of the same manufacturer. When assembling a structure from such elements, minimal problems are excluded.

3. Manufacturers

The correct choice of PPR risers also includes the choice of the manufacturer. There is no one specific company whose products would satisfy all customers.

The question is to avoid unnecessary problems. Therefore, preference should be given to that (or those) enterprises whose reputation in the market of similar goods is impeccable.

Companies from Europe have a certain advantage in this regard. High quality, reliability in operation, affordable price, which means that the products of companies from Germany and the Czech Republic are popular.

In recent years, the quality of goods from Turkey and China has increased significantly.

A little behind them are domestic manufacturers, whose products today differ not only in relatively low prices, but also in proper quality. The choice is yours. The main thing is not to buy fakes. Therefore, buy goods in company stores, while requiring a quality certificate.

In addition to these, there are other reasons that affect the choice of goods. True, there is one but: we did not remember at all about the service life of products made of white polypropylene. There is a reason for this. By adhering to the requirements of proper operation, the elements of the piping structure are fully capable of withstanding the period of time that is needed to begin the next overhaul of the building.

Such are today's materials.

findings

It can be concluded that, given the positive characteristics of PPR pipes reinforced with fiberglass, their budget price, the scope of use - heating, ventilation, water supply, the products do not in vain claim to be the leader in their class.

The future belongs to polymer communications, as they will be a worthy replacement for traditional metal pipelines.

Video

Any water-type heating system assumes the presence of circuits through which the coolant circulates. These pipe lines connect the boiler with all, to the most remote, heat exchange devices - heating radiators. As a result, in a building or even an apartment of a large area, the general system can take on a very complex branched form, and the length of the laid pipes can be tens or even hundreds of meters.

Not so long ago, there was practically no alternative to VGP steel pipes. But, you see, their acquisition, transportation and installation itself are very difficult, expensive and not all activities available for independent execution. And, frankly, there are a lot of other shortcomings in such pipes. Another thing is inexpensive, lightweight, easy to install, and simply outwardly pretty polypropylene pipes. True, not all of their varieties are suitable for such purposes, due to the characteristics of the material of manufacture. But polypropylene pipes reinforced with fiberglass for heating will be an excellent option.

You may be interested in information about what are and their benefits

In addition to them, polypropylene pipes are also produced with aluminum reinforcement, therefore, in order to figure out which ones are better, it is worth comparing them. Only in this way will it be possible to evaluate and identify the characteristic features of different types of these products.

Why are reinforced polypropylene pipes needed for heating?

The heating system will be reliable in operation if you choose the “right” pipes for it that meet certain requirements. Such criteria include the resistance of products to high temperature and pressure loads. to the aggressive effects of the coolant circulating through them. It is especially important to take these requirements into account if the pipes and their fittings are planned to be installed in a system connected to a district heating supply.

In specialized stores, you can find reinforced polypropylene pipes with different wall thicknesses, made from materials of different quality, differing in resistance to high pressure and temperatures, ultraviolet exposure, and having different coefficients of linear expansion. Therefore, if it is decided to mount a new circuit or replace the old pipes with polypropylene ones, it is necessary to know the evaluation criteria that the materials used for these purposes must meet.

So, for the installation of the heating circuit, it is necessary to choose pipes that meet a number of important requirements.

• The temperature of the coolant in the central heating system is usually 75 ÷ 80 degrees, but sometimes it can reach higher values, close to 90 ÷ 95 ºС. Therefore, when purchasing these products, it is worth choosing them with a margin of thermal stability, that is, their characteristics should indicate a temperature of at least 95 degrees.
• Polypropylene is an excellent material for pipes, but it has a characteristic quality - a too significant coefficient of linear expansion with temperature changes (according to tabular data - 0.15 mm / m × ºС). A little? But what if we look at this matter “through the prism” of absolute values?

Suppose the installation of the heating circuit was carried out at a temperature of +20 ºС. After starting the heating system, the temperature in the supply pipe is planned, even if only at 75 ºС. So, we have a drop with an amplitude of + 55 degrees. With the above coefficient of thermal expansion, each meter of our circuit will increase in length by 8.25 mm. Even on a relatively small straight section of 3 meters, this will already give 2.5 centimeters of elongation, not to mention longer sections. But this is already - very seriously!

As a result, pipes located openly are deformed, bent, jump out of their clips. Naturally, at the same time, internal stresses in their walls grow, connecting nodes are overloaded, and the tightness of threaded connections on fittings may be broken. The system is clearly losing not only in the aesthetics of its appearance, but also in overall reliability.

And what happens to such pipes if they are hard-wired into walls or floors? It is even difficult to imagine how great internal stresses their walls experience. It is clear that there is no question of any durability of such a heating circuit.

You might be interested in information about which is better −

But for reinforced pipes, the coefficient of linear expansion is almost five times less. With the same initial data, a three-meter section will lengthen by only 4.95 mm, which is not at all critical. Of course, this does not eliminate the need to compensate for linear expansion over very long segments, but on the other hand, the compensators themselves (loop or bellows) will need to be much smaller, and they can be placed in inaccessible places.

• In addition to high temperatures, the central heating system is not distinguished by pressure stability, since, especially at the start of testing activities after the summer season, uncontrolled pressure surges, up to powerful water hammers, usually occur in it. Therefore, pipes must be resistant to baric overloads, and only products reinforced with aluminum or fiberglass have such qualities to a much greater extent.
• The service life of pipes for heating systems declared by the manufacturer must be comparable with the durability of other devices and elements included in the common circuit. And in this position, reinforced polypropylene pipes have a clear advantage.
• A good property of propylene is inertness to the aggressive medium of the coolant, since the wall material should not be subject to corrosion and destructurization from the effects of various chemicals, the presence of which, alas, cannot be excluded in the central heating system.
• Ideally smooth surfaces of the inner walls of pipes made of polypropylene make it possible to freely circulate the coolant through the heating circuit.
• Polypropylene has the ability to muffle the sounds of coolant circulation inside the system, which distinguishes it from traditional steel. Fiberglass-reinforced pipes have this advantage to a more pronounced degree.

Marking of polypropylene pipes

Without exception, all polypropylene pipes must have an alphanumeric marking on their surface, which indicates their main physical, technical and operational characteristics. When purchasing pipes, it is recommended to carefully study the marking so as not to make a mistake with the choice of the best option.

For clarity, consider the marking on an example:

BUT- as a rule, the marking begins with the logo or company name of the material manufacturer. In any case, those firms that really enjoy authority in this area of ​​\u200b\u200bproduction do not hesitate to put their name on each unit of their products. Well, if the manufacturer is “modest”, and nothing of the kind is indicated in the labeling, this should be an occasion to think about whether it is worth buying such a product, whether it is a cheap imitation.

B– The following abbreviation refers to the structural structure of the pipe. The following notations are usually found here:

- PPR - polypropylene pipe without any internal reinforcement;

- PPR-FB-PPR - glass fiber reinforced pipe;

- PPR / PPR-GF / PPR or PPR-GF - a pipe reinforced with a composite material, which includes fiberglass and polypropylene;

— PPR-AL-PPR - a pipe reinforced with aluminum foil.

- PP-RCT-AL-PPR - this complex abbreviation indicates that the pipe consists of several layers made of different materials. So PP-RCT - the inner layer is modified polypropylene with improved thermostatic properties, AL - the middle layer is aluminum foil, and PPR - the outer layer is polypropylene.

AT- The following designation, PN, is the type of pipe, which largely indicates its operational characteristics and areas of possible purpose. The numbers indicate the nominal working pressure in the system (in bar or technical atmospheres):

- PN-10 - such pipes can withstand a pressure of 10 bar, and can be used for cold water supply or, as an exception, for installing piping to underfloor heating circuits while maintaining the appropriate temperature regime, as they are designed for temperatures not exceeding + 45 degrees.

- PN-16 - products are designed for cold and hot water supply with temperatures up to + 60 degrees and working pressure up to 16 bar.

- PN-20 is the most popular option, since it can be called universal, as it is used for both hot and cold water supply, as well as for heating circuits. Pipes with this marking withstand temperatures of 95 degrees and pressures up to 20 bar.

- PN-25 - such pipes are the most durable, withstand a pressure of 25 bar and a temperature of 95 degrees. They are used for installation in risers of heating and hot water systems, including for circuits connected to central heating.

The main standard dimensional parameters of pipes for this classification are presented in the table below:

Ø Нр, mm	PN-25		PN-20		PN-16		PN-10
	Ø Vn, mm	TS, mm	Ø Vn, mm	TS, mm	Ø Vn, mm	TS, mm	Ø Vn, mm	TS, mm
16	-	-	10.6	2.7	11.6	2.2	-	-
20	13.2	3.4	13.2	3.4	14.4	2.8	16.2	1.9
25	16.6	4.2	16.6	4.2	18	3.5	20.4	2.3
32	21.2	3	21.2	5.4	23	4.4	26	3
40	26.6	3.7	26.6	6.7	28.8	5.5	32.6	3.7
50	33.2	4.6	33.2	8.4	36.2	6.9	40.8	4.6
63	42	5.8	42	10.5	45.6	8.4	51.4	5.8
75	50	6.9	50	12.5	54.2	10.3	61.2	6.9
90	-	-	60	15	65	12.3	73.6	8.2
110	-	-	73.2	18.4	79.6	15.1	90	10
Ø Nr - outer diameter of the pipe
Ø Vn - Diameter of the inner channel of the pipe (nominal bore)
TS – pipe wall thickness

G- The next indicator is the outer diameter of the pipe and the thickness of its walls in millimeters.

D- The service class (the parameter is set by GOST for pipes of domestic production) indicates the recommended scope of this type of pipe:

Operation class of polypropylene pipes	Fluid temperature (operating / maximum), ºC	The purpose of the pipes
XV	up to 20	Cold water systems+
1	60 / 80	Hot water system with a maximum temperature of 60 ºC
2	70 / 80	Hot water system with a maximum temperature of 70 ºC
3	40 / 60	Underfloor heating systems with low temperature operation
4	60 / 70	Underfloor heating systems with high-temperature operating modes, classic heating systems heating with maximum heat carrier temperatures up to 60 ºC
5	80 / 90	Heating systems with high temperatures, including those with district heating

F- The last alphanumeric designation indicates the regulatory document (GOST, ISO or TO), according to the standards of which these products are manufactured.

Having received information about the classification of the pipe, you can immediately assess the possible duration of its operation under the planned conditions. The following table will help you with this:

Heat carrier temperature, ºС	Estimated service life	Pipe types
		PN-25	PN-20	PN-16	PN-10
		Maximum working pressure in the system (kgf/cm²)
20	10	33.9	21.7	21.7	13.5
	25	33	26.4	21.1	13.2
	50	32.3	25.9	20.7	12.9
30	10	9.3	23.5	18.8	11.7
	25	28.3	22.7	18.1	11.3
	50	27.7	22.1	17.7	11.1
40	10	25.3	20.3	16.2	10.1
	25	24.3	19.5	15.6	9.7
	50	23	18.4	14.7	9.2
50	10	21.7	23.5	17.3	13.9
	25	20	16	12.8	8
	50	18.3	14.7	11.7	7.3
60	10	18	14.4	11.5	7.2
	25	15.3	12.3	9.8	6.1
	50	13.7	10.9	8.7	5.5
70	10	13.3	10.7	8.5	5.3
	25	11.9	9.1	7.3	4.5
	30	11	8.8	7	4.4
	50	10.7	8.5	6.8	4.3
80	5	10.8	8.7	6.9	4.3
	10	9.8	7.9	6.3	3.9
	25	9.2	7.5	5.9	3.7
95	1	8.5	7.6	6.7	3.9
	5	6.1	5.4	4.4	2.8

Prices for glass fiber reinforced polypropylene pipes

reinforced polypropylene pipes

The structure of polypropylene pipes with fiberglass reinforcement

As mentioned above, polypropylene pipes are reinforced to make them resistant to elevated temperatures and baric loads and to drastically reduce the rate of linear thermal expansion. In order to decide which option is better to choose - pipes reinforced with aluminum or fiberglass, it is worth comparing their main characteristics.

Fiberglass began to be used to strengthen polypropylene pipes much later than aluminum foil. Products reinforced with this material are a three-layer structure, and the reinforcing layer is located between two layers of polypropylene.

"Armopoyas" can consist only of fiberglass, or of a composite material containing fiberglass and polypropylene in its composition. In any of these options, the layers have excellent adhesion to each other, practically becoming a monolithic structure.

Thanks to such a reliable soldering, the delamination of the walls of a well-made pipe is even theoretically impossible.

Fiberglass perfectly restrains thermal expansion, which prevents the pipes from deforming and stretching in any way when the temperature rises.

This type of reinforced polypropylene pipes is produced in various dimensional parameters. So, products with a diameter of less than 17 mm are used mainly for installing the "warm floor" system, pipes Ø 20 mm are well suited for domestic hot water distribution, and from 20 to 32 mm (sometimes more) - for arranging heating circuits .

The connection of polypropylene pipes with fiberglass reinforcement is carried out by welding, sometimes by other installation methods. Moreover, during welding, this type of pipe does not require a rather laborious stripping operation, which greatly facilitates and speeds up the work. The absence of metal elements in the design of these pipes eliminates the appearance of deposits of hardness salts, and the connections of all parts of the heating system become completely monolithic.

Let's compare the advantages and disadvantages of fiberglass and aluminum reinforcement of PPR pipes

• The first thing to say is that the coefficient of thermal expansion for pipes with aluminum and fiberglass reinforcement is almost the same, and ranges from 0.03 to 0.035 mm / m × ºС. Thus, both types, from this point of view, are equivalent.
• The fiberglass reinforcing layer closes the entire space between the outer and inner layers of polypropylene. Therefore, these pipes are tear-resistant, reliable and durable, and their estimated service life is about 50 years. In aluminum-reinforced pipes, the reinforcing layer has a welded seam (and sometimes, in inexpensive products, even simply joined edges of the foil are overlapped), which makes them more vulnerable to elevated temperature and pressure.
• Pipes reinforced with fiberglass are a good anti-diffusion layer that does not allow oxygen to pass to the coolant.

The diffusion process will necessarily lead to an acceleration of the corrosion processes of the metal equipment of the heating system - this is a boiler, pump, shut-off and control valves and other elements.

Since aluminum-reinforced products sometimes have a non-continuous foil layer, the risk of penetration into the coolant increases. In addition, aluminum itself is very unstable to oxygen corrosion.

• When installing pipes with a fiberglass layer, the density and strength of their connections do not require regular monitoring and maintenance. If aluminum-reinforced products are installed, the reliability of the connection will depend on the quality of the calibration and stripping them before installation.

The fact is that pipes with an aluminum reinforcing belt are a glued wall construction. If during the soldering process a section of metal remains on the cut, in contact with the coolant, then it is from here that the process of wall delamination can begin. And this, in turn, with a high degree of probability will lead to swelling first, and then to a breakthrough of the pipe body.

And for pipes with fiberglass reinforcement, which are almost a monolithic structure, this "Achilles' heel" is absent.

Yes, and it is much faster and easier to weld pipes without stripping, especially since you do not need a special tool (shaver) for these purposes.

• Pipes reinforced with fiberglass have good thermal insulation properties, which minimizes heat loss. For pipes reinforced with aluminum foil, the thermal conductivity is slightly higher.
• All materials used in the manufacture of reinforced polypropylene pipes for heating are non-toxic and do not emit harmful fumes both when cold and when heated. This applies equally to both types of pipes.
• The resistance to chemical influences is no different, which allows both types to withstand the “aggression” of a low-quality coolant.
• The temperature range within which these types of pipes are normally operated is from -10 to +95 degrees. But, even with a short-term increase in temperature above this, the pipe may sag a little, but it should not be damaged.

Based on the considered characteristics of the data, we can conclude that the best option for installation in a heating system for supplying coolant to radiators are pipes PN-20 and PN-25 with diameters from 20 ÷ 25 mm. But when pipes with a smaller diameter are installed in the heating system, the internal seam formed during the soldering process can prevent the free flow of the coolant.

For the installation of risers, pipes with a diameter of at least 32 mm are usually selected, otherwise it may also be small for the full movement of the coolant. Larger diameters can also be used on the collector sections of the system - the range of products on sale allows this.

You might be interested in knowing what are suitable

Manufacturers of polypropylene pipes reinforced with fiberglass

At the end of the publication - a short review of high-quality polypropylene pipes with fiberglass reinforcement, domestic and imported, which have earned positive feedback from professionals.

"METAK"

METAK is a Russian company producing various polypropylene products for heating and cold water supply systems, including glass fiber reinforced pipes under the METAK FIBER brand. This product is excellent for installation in highly loaded heating systems.

The pipes are produced in white design, have a maximum operating temperature of 95 degrees, are designed for an operating pressure of 25 bar with a destructive pressure of 50 bar.

Fiberglass-reinforced polypropylene three-layer pipes of the METAK company and their connecting parts (fittings) are produced in accordance with GOST. They are used to install pipelines for cold and hot water supply, underfloor heating, wiring systems and process pipelines, so they can have different diameters.

This table provides information on the dimensions of the glass fiber reinforced pipes produced by this company. Common to all products is the length, which is 4000 mm.

Pipe outer diameter, mm	Inner diameter, mm	Wall thickness, mm
20	13.2	3.4
25	16.6	4.2
32	21.2	5.4
40	26.6	6.7
50	33.2	8.4
63	42	10.5
75	50	12.5

These products are great for heating systems of country houses and apartments in multi-storey buildings. All METAK products comply with all domestic and European standards and requirements established for these products, as they are produced on high-tech equipment under the strict control of qualified specialists.

FV Plast

The Czech company "FV Plast" specializes in the development and manufacture of polypropylene pipes designed for pressure water pipes for supplying cold drinking water, hot water supply and heating systems. The company produces polypropylene pipes and fittings for them only in gray color, with a reinforcing aluminum and fiberglass layer.

"FV Plast" was one of the first to start manufacturing products reinforced with fiberglass - this product range is called "FASER".

Prices for polypropylene pipes FV Plast

reinforced polypropylene pipes FV Plast

Characteristics of FV Plast FASER pipes reinforced with fiberglass:

• The operating temperature of the coolant is up to 80 degrees.
• A short-term increase in temperature is allowed up to 90 degrees.
• The working pressure of the system is 20 bar.
• The maximum allowable pressure is 36 bar.
• The service life of products declared by the manufacturer is 25÷50 years.

In addition to the pipes themselves, the company presents on the market all the necessary components for them, which allows the material from one manufacturer to create heating circuits of any complexity with guaranteed reliability.

You may be interested in information about what they are

Kalde

Kalde is Turkey's leading manufacturer of modern heating and plumbing systems assembled from PPR pipes and fittings. The material of this company is characterized by maximum protection against build-up and contamination inside the pipes during the entire service life. Reliable, lightweight, durable, comfortable and economical Kalde systems are inert to corrosion and chemical attack. Available in the widest range of diameters - from 20 to 110 mm.

Kalde Fiber is a three-layer pipe with a white outer surface, made of polypropylene and reinforced with fiberglass. It is distinguished by excellent heat resistance, with the upper limit of the coolant temperature reaching up to 95 degrees. Even at such a temperature in the system, a pressure not exceeding 10 bar, the manufacturer declares a service life of at least 50 years.

Prices for Kalde polypropylene pipes

Kalde reinforced polypropylene pipes

In addition to the above, the company also produces various types of polypropylene pipes:

• PN10 and PN20 made of polypropylene, PPRC– without internal reinforcement.
• PN20 and PN25 reinforced with aluminum foil - pipes for heating and heating, air conditioning systems and similar industrial uses.
• AL-Super is a polypropylene pipe, reinforced in the middle layer with aluminum foil, which does not require trimming and stripping.

The range of Kalde accessories is very diverse and designed for different, even the most complex heating circuits.

"BANNINGER"

BANNINGER is a German company that manufactures products that are distinguished by true European quality and undeniable reliability in operation. The company produces polypropylene pipes and a complete set of necessary accessories for installation of heating circuits, hot and cold water supply. A distinctive feature is the unusual, emerald green color of BANNINGER polypropylene pipes.

Products are characterized by high plasticity, therefore they calmly react to high and low temperatures. The parameters of polypropylene parts are selected taking into account studies on the fatigue properties of the material, during operation for 50 years, at a constant temperature of 70 degrees and pressure up to 10 bar.

The company's product range includes polypropylene pipes without reinforcing materials, as well as with an aluminum and fiberglass layer. Within the framework of this article, samples of the WATERTEC series deserve attention. » and CLIMATEC. Their use will provide the created heating circuit with guaranteed indicators of reliability and durability.

A few words at the end

In conclusion, I would like to recommend that you do not purchase pipes from unknown manufacturers who do not even mention the name of their company in the product labeling. Having saved a little, you can buy a product that will not last even one heating season, failing at the most inopportune moment. In such a situation, you will have to pay a much more serious amount to replace the pipes of the heating system, repair your own and, possibly, a neighbor's apartment.

Another little note. One of the most frequently asked questions is the following: “What information does the color of the reinforcing layer located in the pipe wall carry?” The answer is simple - none. The color of the reinforcement is rather a “whim” of the manufacturer, the desire to distinguish their products from the general background.

By and large, any fiberglass-reinforced polypropylene pipe is already designed for operation at elevated temperatures. So there will be a reinforcing "ring" red, green, blue or gray - it does not matter. The main information is in the alphanumeric marking of the pipe and in its technical documentation, which, by the way, do not forget to get acquainted with in the store when choosing a material.

And, finally, to "fix" the information received about polypropylene pipes - watch the video attached below:

Video: Recommendations for the right choice of polypropylene pipes

You might be interested in information on how to choose

Evgeny AfanasievChief Editor

Publication author 14.10.2016

Polypropylene as a material for the production of pipes appeared a long time ago. Its appearance on the market cannot be called an unexpected fact. The world has long and hard moved towards the polymer revolution, especially when it comes to the construction industry.

However, the advent of polypropylene or PP, as it is called for short, has significantly shaken the position of old materials, which were previously well sold.

Polypropylene has occupied its niche, concerning mainly high-quality pipelines for cold and hot water supply. Reinforced polypropylene pipes, which are practically devoid of flaws, are especially popular now. Let's consider them in more detail.

Article content

Why does polypropylene need reinforcement?

Is it really impossible to do without reinforcing this durable polymer? After all, PP itself has excellent strength characteristics. It is considered perhaps the most durable plastic in the pipe industry.

It is impossible to answer this question unambiguously. Yes, on the one hand, PP really has unique strength characteristics. Only PP pipes are marked from PN10 to PN20, that is, they are able to withstand pressures up to 20 bar. The highest pressure threshold in private water supply pipelines, if encountered, is rather an exception.

Polypropylene products are difficult to bend. They have thick walls that improve the annular rigidity of the structure. For large PP pipes, the wall thickness can reach up to 20 mm, which, you see, is quite an impressive figure.

All this together and gives such a unique increase in strength. What can be called a weak point of PP is thermal strength or the level of thermal expansion.

Any material has a certain coefficient of thermal expansion. The higher it is, the more the line is deformed during prolonged contact with high temperatures.

So, for PVC, this figure is very high. PVC products must not be used for transporting hot media. With PP, the situation is similar, except that it can withstand much higher temperatures.

However, this does not solve the main problem. The thermal expansion coefficient of PP is almost twice that of metal products. This negatively affects the quality of the entire system.

If the pipe expands, then the distances between the molecules in its walls change. The material is deformed, its strength level decreases. Not to mention the increased likelihood of breakouts and damage.

It is the reinforcement of PP pipes that allows you to get rid of this problem.

Reinforcement methods

There are two options for reinforcing products. Each option involves solving some specific problems.

Reinforced products are called PPR pipes. Reinforcement of polypropylene occurs:

• aluminum;
• fiberglass.

We note right away that both the first and second options differ significantly in price from standard models. Polypropylene reinforced pipes at times more expensive than usual, but the quality is much higher.

PPR pipes are conceived in such a way that they can be easily integrated into a water supply or hot heating system with a nominal high pressure. Therefore, their price is more than justified. In addition, reinforced PP pipes have few competitors. No other plastic can boast of the same properties, and you are probably already familiar with the prices of metal products and the costs of working with them.

Use of aluminum

Aluminum reinforcement of PP pipelines consists in embedding a layer of aluminum. This layer can be either solid or profiled.

Most often, reinforcement occurs due to the introduction into the polypropylene base:

1. aluminum foil.
2. aluminum sheet.
3. aluminum profiled sheet.

Foil reinforcement is the cheapest, but at the same time quite a popular option. Reduces the coefficient of thermal expansion of the pipe, allowing it to be used in hot water systems. They easily withstand temperatures up to +90 degrees Celsius.

Using a single sheet is a rarer option. There are more such products. Their frame absorbs almost any load and allows you to bend the workpiece as you wish. The temperature regime of such products already reaches 140 degrees Celsius.

A profiled or perforated aluminum pipe sample is the same PP billet, only with non-uniform aluminum. As a rule, a reinforcement sheet has a certain number of holes.

The use of aluminum is fully justified. It is widely used to strengthen the properties of the product, giving them the necessary stability for use in heating systems.

Combined with the durability, lightness, and other well-known properties of PP, this results in an almost perfect piece.

Use of fiberglass

Fiberglass reinforced polypropylene pipes are an alternative to aluminum. Unlike aluminum, fiberglass is easier to manufacture and incorporate into a structure.

There are even fiberglass samples synthesized with plastic. The advantage of fiberglass is in the simplification of manufacturing processes.

Pipes reinforced with fiberglass are easily manufactured at the factory. They are cheaper and easier to handle. Even connecting them together is more convenient.

The glass fiber layer in butt welding fittings should only be cleaned superficially, while the aluminum layer should be removed until the pipe profile is completely cleaned.

However, it was not without drawbacks. The coefficient of thermal expansion of fiberglass reinforced products is lower than that of aluminum competitors. They withstand pressure up to 15 bar, while aluminum pipes hold 25 bar, and this is far from the limit.

In general, fiberglass PP pipes are softer and more pliable than aluminum ones, but they are also cheaper, which means they will definitely find their buyer.

The use of reinforced PP pipes (video)

External features

It remains to consider the characteristics and external features. They are somewhat different from standard polypropylene products.

We have already partially described the characteristics of PP products, it remains to add a little about their dimensions. The most popular version of the size of products made of polypropylene from 20 to 50 mm. In the range from 20 to 50 mm, it is the nominal diameter of the pipe that is taken into account, and not its full cross section.

As we noted above, the walls of PP pipes are unlike the thicker walls of pipes made of other materials. For example, in a pipe with a diameter of 50 mm, the total sectional size will be approximately 70 mm, because 50 mm will have a nominal diameter and 20 mm will have a wall thickness.

There are some restrictions associated with the diameters of polypropylene pipelines. Samples larger than 50 mm are found, but less frequently, and the actual production limit for a mass sample is at the level of about 150 mm. Everything that follows already concerns private orders. Such restrictions are justified by the characteristics of the material itself.

From a visual point of view, reinforced polypropylene is quite easy to distinguish. Take, for example, a sample with a diameter of 50 mm. The thickness of its walls will be at least 10 mm. In conventional PP pipes, the entire wall has a uniform white or gray color.

In reinforced pipes, the wall is heterogeneous and consists of rings. The inner and outer ring are in polypropylene and still have the same light gray hue. The middle or second ring will have a different color. It can be red, green, yellow and even blue. The presence of such a colored layer indicates that the presented products belong to the class of reinforced ones.

Unfortunately, it is impossible at first glance to distinguish fiberglass-reinforced materials from aluminum-reinforced ones. Manufacturers rarely adhere to any unified standards. The green color of the intermediate layer will not necessarily mean that the workpiece is reinforced with aluminum sheet.

To make sure completely better contact the seller for clarification.

There are many factors causing the growing popularity of polypropylene pipes in the design and installation of heating systems. Although steel pipes in heating today are far from uncommon, every year they are used less and less. A stable segment of the market, perhaps, continues to be occupied by copper and metal-plastic pipelines.

In this sense, polypropylene elements for pipelines are a very significant thing, if only because the growth in popularity of their use is impressive. The reasons for this process are quite simple and understandable - the development of polymer production technologies provides an increase in quality indicators, as well as a reduction in their prices.

Scopes of polypropylene pipes

• Pipes made of this polymer, as well as fittings, tees, bends and couplings, are used in the arrangement of water supply networks (hot and cold water supply);
• Sewer pipes made of polypropylene stand apart;
• Heating systems of any type.

The use of polypropylene pipes in heating networks puts forward certain requirements for their design. These additional requirements are related to the operating conditions of such pipelines. As you know, the operating temperature of heating networks is somewhat different from the operating temperature, even in hot water networks.

Why reinforced pipes are used in heating systems

Reinforced polypropylene pipes for heating - the characteristics of which, allow them to be used for this, have a low coefficient of thermal expansion.

Therefore, for use in heating systems, such pipes must have a special design. This design differs from simple pipes in that a reinforcing layer is laid between two layers of plastic.

Types of reinforced polypropylene pipes

The reinforcing layer is fiberglass or aluminum foil. Both types are suitable for heating. Although, it is worth noting that fiberglass-reinforced polypropylene pipes for heating have large values ​​​​of thermal expansion coefficient.

Reinforced pipes (fiberglass - at the bottom - and aluminum - at the top)

Advantages of polypropylene pipes

Polypropylene reinforced pipes for heating have a number of advantages compared to pipelines made of other materials:

1. Long service life.
   Manufacturers of polypropylene systems give a guarantee on their products. The warranty period for such materials is usually 10-15 years. But in practice, polypropylene pipelines can easily withstand three or four warranty periods of operation.

1. Corrosion resistance.
   Polypropylene reinforced pipe for heating is not subject to corrosion, regardless of the type of coolant that is used and the type of boiler -).
   With corrosion damage to the inner walls of the pipes, areas are formed with difficult passage of the coolant through the system, which negatively affects the performance.

1. Chemical inertness.
   Water and other coolants are chemicals that, under certain conditions, enter into various chemical reactions. If the material from which the pipeline is assembled is chemically active when in contact with the coolant substance, then its integrity is violated.

1. Ease of connection and installation.
   You can easily install heating using polypropylene pipes with your own hands. For such work, you will need a minimum of special tools and equipment. No special skills or qualifications are required.

1. Connection strength.
   When joining two polypropylene elements, a very strong seam or joint is formed due to the fact that the polymer melts during joining and the joint becomes monolithic.

1. Material gas tightness.
   The walls of polypropylene pipes are absolutely impervious to oxygen and other atmospheric gases, which protects metal elements of heating systems from rust, oxidation and corrosion.

1. economy.
   The price of polypropylene pipes is lower than copper and metal-plastic ones.

1. Material strength.
   The polymer from which the pipes are made has good mechanical strength and hardness.

Installation of polypropylene pipes

The process of welding or soldering these pipes is simple and efficient. Below is a step-by-step instruction for carrying out such work.

First you need to prepare a set of standard soldering tools. Ready-made kits are available for sale. How they look is shown in the photo below.

This set includes the following tools:

• Welding machine - soldering iron-heater for soldering the socket;
• Nozzles for pipes;
• Nippers or a special pipe cutter;
• Shaver (use it to remove aluminum foil);
• Bevel remover.

Important!
For the installation of polypropylene pipes, despite the ease and simplicity of processing and connecting the material, improvised means cannot be used.
For a quality connection, you need to use special tools.

The process of "welding" work

The parts are connected to each other in the following way. The edges of the two parts are heated until the polymer softens and are tightly connected to each other. At the junction, the molten polymer forms a monolithic joint due to the mutual penetration of material molecules between the parts to be joined.

Preliminary preparation

1. Pipes are measured and cut;

1. A chamfer is removed from the outer edge;

1. The joint is cleaned and degreased.

Soldering iron preparation

1. The welding machine is fixed on a stand;

1. The heater is turned on;
2. The soldering iron heats up to 260°C.
3. Two parts are taken that were previously prepared for connection;
4. One part is mounted on a mandrel (a special cone-shaped metal cylinder);
5. Another part is inserted into the sleeve;

Direct soldering process

1. The parts are heated in the heater (the heating time is determined according to the tables depending on the wall thickness and type of the part);
2. Parts are simultaneously removed from the heater;
3. The removed parts are quickly joined to each other without scrolling along the longitudinal axis (two parts should not be “screwed” into one another).

Heating system installation

Polypropylene pipes (more precisely, welded polymeric joints) do not require regular maintenance (unlike threaded joints of steel pipes and metal valves and fittings). Therefore, it becomes possible to lay the main heating pipes inside the walls by closed laying.

It is clear that such a system is established for a long time. Therefore, before proceeding with the direct work related to installation, it is necessary to develop a thorough plan, as well as a piping scheme with reference to specific rooms and features of walls and ceilings in buildings.

Such a preliminary plan is also useful in minimizing the process of connecting parts to each other “on the fly”. It is best to connect a large number of parts to each other on a special mounting table, and in the end, simply connect them to each other.

If the pipes are not laid inside the walls, then they are attached to the walls with clamps.

Such fastening is carried out in the following order:

• The clamp is screwed to the wall with a screw;
• A pipe is inserted into the clamp mount.

Important!
It must be remembered that polypropylene pipes cannot be directly connected to branch pipes.
For connection, it is necessary to take pieces of a metal pipe 50 cm long and of a suitable diameter, and only then connect them to the boiler nozzles.

Video showing the installation of polypropylene pipelines:

findings

Polypropylene heating systems have proven themselves in operation. They are reliable and easy to install, install and maintain. Cheapness and availability makes them quite popular for use in mounting.

Material. For the production of pipes PN 25, Random copolymer (type 3) Borealis RA 130-E is used - polypropylene, designed specifically for the manufacture of pipes intended for cold and hot water supply, heating. Pipes made from polypropylene of this brand have improved shock and heat resistance, tolerate pressure and temperature drops well, and do not collapse when water freezes in them. Resistant to most aggressive alkaline and acidic environments, not subject to corrosion, deposits do not form on the surface of the pipe in contact with water. Installation of polypropylene pipes is several times faster than steel pipes. The glass fiber PPR-GF-PPR used in PN 25 makes the pipes comparable in expansion coefficient to aluminum reinforced pipes. At the same time, the thermal conductivity (and, as a result, heat loss) of PN 25 pipes reinforced with fiberglass is lower.

Scope of use. Pipes PN 25 are intended for use in engineering systems of cold and hot water supply, for distributing heating systems with an operating temperature of up to +95 °C (short-term - up to 110 °C). They can also be used for distributing heating systems, when installing underfloor heating and air conditioning systems, as well as for transporting and storing compressed air or chemicals.