How to properly solder reinforced pipes

How to solder polypropylene reinforced pipes for heating?

The popularity of plastic pipes on a global scale is growing every year. The advantages of plastic pipes are obvious. They are more convenient for installation and maintenance compared to other materials. Used for different purposes. This includes plumbing for cold and hot water, heating systems, etc. At the moment, polypropylene pipes reinforced with aluminum are especially popular.

Polypropylene pipes have high qualities of durability, resistance to high temperatures and chemicals.

Polypropylene (PPR) pipes

Polypropylene pipes have high qualities of durability, resistance to high temperatures and chemicals, compared to other commonly used materials used to produce products.

Since they are characterized by the absence of rust, corrosive deposits, dirt, rot, various bacteria (these qualities allow them to be used for drinking water), lime deposits, the diameter of the polypropylene pipe does not decrease in size over time, the internal surface remains smooth, and the flow the ability does not change while in a stable position.

If we consider polypropylene pipes with conventional plastic ones, then the coefficient indicating expansion (of conventional designs) is equal to 10 cm per m, if the temperature regime is increased by about 70 degrees. The same coefficient for polypropylene (reinforced) systems is about 1 cm per m m. The difference is obvious.

A regular pipe allows sagging in winter (when exposed to cold temperatures).

It looks quite unaesthetic. Newly installed heating creates a pleasant impression, but in winter, when it heats up, it does not please the eye, which cannot be said about the use of aluminum-reinforced parts. Their appearance is in perfect condition all year round, even in winter.

4 main types of polypropylene pipes are considered traditional:

Polypropylene pipe PN 25 reinforced with aluminum, suitable for heating systems (can also be used for cold water).

• PN10, used for cold water (use for hot water is excluded);
• PN 20, used for cold and hot water;
• PN 20, glass fiber reinforced, suitable for heating systems and hot water pipes (cold water can be used);
• PN 25, reinforced with aluminum, are suitable for heating systems (can also be used for cold water).

Polypropylene products, due to their positive qualities, are successfully used in the construction of water supply systems (using cold and hot water) and heating in the construction industry and others.

If we compare polymer products (for example, polypropylene) with metal ones, we can say with confidence that systems made of polymer materials have higher rates of thermal linear expansion and oxygen permeability.

But this problem is easily solved by reinforcing polypropylene structures with foil (aluminum).

Why are polypropylene pipes reinforced? Reinforcement methods

When carrying out work on reinforcing polypropylene pipes using aluminum foil, its edges are most often attached to the pipes with an overlap.

This technology is used for elements made of polypropylene by a large number of domestic manufacturers, although today laser butt welding of foil edges has been sufficiently developed. Lapped foil reinforcement requires stripping of the foil before welding to the connecting fittings occurs.

There are two ways to reinforce polypropylene pipes with aluminum foil: the edges are butted or overlapped.

• With this design, the coolant does not come into contact with the foil, and the welding of the connection between the fitting and the pipe does not become less quality. For systems of the PEX/Al/PEX type, the traditional method is to join the foil using the “butt” method.

At the very beginning of the technological development of reinforcement of polypropylene pipes, aluminum foil was used in a continuous version. Such reinforcement prevents oxygen from entering the coolant and gives the outer surface of the pipe the property of smoothness. But at the same time, its connection with polypropylene layers is difficult.

Due to these characteristics of the foil, special requirements are imposed on the quality of the glue, as well as on the temperature and humidity conditions during production work.

• If technological violations or deviations from the generally accepted quality standards of the raw materials used in the manufacture of aluminum-reinforced pipes are allowed, the following situation becomes possible: moisture penetrates the wall of the polypropylene structure (since this material is hygroscopic), and then, encountering a layer of foil on the way, passes can not. Moisture accumulates between the aluminum and polypropylene layers, causing unnecessary blistering of the surface layer.

Delamination of a multilayer pipe may be due to the fact that when welding only the outer layer, water acts on the end part of the pipe and delaminates it over time.

To avoid such situations, polypropylene pipes are currently reinforced using aluminum foil with perforations, that is, with round holes evenly spaced over the entire surface of the foil.

This method of producing reinforced polypropylene products ensures strong bonding of two layers of polypropylene (decorative and base) to each other over the entire surface area.

The guaranteed service life for polypropylene reinforced elements is designated as 25 years when interacting with hot water, 50 years for structures with cold water.

Method of central reinforcement of polypropylene pipes

Polypropylene pipes with overlap reinforcement (discussed above) have one significant drawback in terms of ease of installation (direct welding).

This is the so-called stripping of pipes before welding, during which the top layer of aluminum and the outer decorative layer of polypropylene are removed.

To simplify this process, many manufacturers produce products with central reinforcement (PPR/Al/PPR foil).

Scheme for preparing a reinforced polypropylene pipe for soldering

This method of reinforcement makes it possible to retain the full benefits of reinforced systems - a small coefficient of linear thermal expansion and a low degree of oxygen permeability.

The disadvantages of these pipes include the need to trim the ends of the structure to prevent contact of the foil with the coolant.

If these actions are not carried out (trimming) and the pipeline is installed using a conventional nozzle, then during operation the coolant has the opportunity to penetrate into the space formed between the aluminum and polypropylene. And this will certainly lead to swelling of the surface.

Such a defect can lead to damage to the pipeline, since the decorative layer of polypropylene is very thin, not strong enough and cannot withstand such loads. Its destruction will inevitably occur, which will lead to a leak of coolant and an emergency situation.

When using special nozzles, trimming or cleaning of pipe ends is not necessary.

The design of the above nozzle is as follows.

• The nozzle is designed so that the internal and external surfaces are heated. If there is no heating from the inside, the polypropylene layer will cover the aluminum layer.

In order for the nozzle to work successfully, its design provides a special hole designed to remove air trapped in the space between the pipe itself and the nozzle used for welding during the heating process. Another function of this hole is visual control of the heating process.

So, when using special attachments designed to ensure high-quality welding, trimming or cleaning of pipe ends is not performed. The advantages of such a nozzle are obvious.

A disadvantage can be considered the slightly increased time allotted for heating the polypropylene pipe, as well as the precise (permissible deviation from 3 to 5 degrees) positioning of the pipe in a horizontal position when it is in the nozzle at the moment when welding is carried out.

Types of facing of aluminum reinforced pipes

Basically, the technology for installing a plumbing system (cold and hot water) or a heating system using reinforced products is the same for everyone. Standard actions:

• cutting parts according to the required size;
• chamfering;
• heating the system and fitting with a special device;
• combination (welding) and so on.

  What is needed to install a heating radiator?

But there is also a significant difference. This is the need for an additional procedure designed specifically for aluminum-reinforced systems - stripping. Before carrying out steps to heat the structure and connect it, it is necessary to clear it of the aluminum layer.

Source: https://gscomplect.com/kak-payat-polipropilenovye-armirovannye-truby-dlya-otopleniya/

How to solder heating pipes: step-by-step instructions for plastic and copper with your own hands

Good day, dear reader! You can assemble a heating system using welding in a short time. Moreover, if welding metal pipes requires professional training, then even an inexperienced person in this area can weld plastic products with their own hands. This article will discuss how to solder heating pipes correctly in order to prevent depressurization of the seams during operation of the system.

Types of pipes connected by soldering

To assemble heating and hot water supply systems using soldering, in contrast to cold water supply, you need to use pipes only from heat-resistant types of materials.

• plastic reinforced with aluminum foil (PN 25) or fiberglass (PP-RCT);
• polypropylene (PN 16, PN 20);
• polyethylene with increased heat resistance (PE-RT);
• polybutene (PB);
• copper pipes.

Necessary tools and materials for soldering

To solder polymer pipes you will need the following tools and materials:

1. welding device - soldering iron with several nozzles;
2. tape measure or ruler, marker - measuring tools for marking;
3. solder for soldering. For soldering at low temperatures (up to +450ºС) it is produced in coils made of an alloy of silver, tin, lead and additives. In the form of a rod made of an alloy of copper, silver and other metals - for high-temperature soldering;
4. fluxes and fittings. Fluxes are used to clean the soldering area from oxidation, as well as to ensure better adhesion of the filler material and its uniform spreading. Fittings are selected according to the size of the pipe section. Depending on the configuration of the heating system, tees, turns, corner couplings, threaded transitions, crosses, etc. can be used;
5. cutting scissors - cutting tool for plastic pipes;
6. shaver - a device for removing reinforcement at the ends of products.

Tips for choosing and using a pipe soldering iron

When choosing a soldering iron, you should be guided by the following criteria:

• power indicator;
• number of seats for nozzles;
• the number of nozzles themselves and the presence of Teflon coating on them;
• presence of a temperature regulator;
• manufacturer country.

The essence of the process and soldering methods

The process of welding plastic products consists of creating a permanent connection by heating the surfaces to be welded to a viscous-fluid state and pressing them against each other under pressure.

Microparticles of one product penetrate into the structure of another, forming a solid structure. This process is carried out in three ways:

1. diffusion method. In the welding zone, the viscous-flowing material of both parts is mixed with the simultaneous displacement of air bubbles. After cooling, the products form a reliable connection that does not lose strength over time;
2. soldering using an electric fitting is a method of joining pipes using fittings with embedded electric heaters, while welding is carried out automatically;
3. cold way. Soldering is carried out using a special welding compound (solder), which is placed in the gap between the surfaces of the parts being welded. Solder has a lower melting point than the base material and, when melted, diffuses into it, forming a strong connection.

Step-by-step instructions for soldering heating pipes

Before installing the heating system, it is recommended to prepare a detailed diagram on paper, with which you can calculate the dimensions of the pipe sections and the number of fittings. This will allow you to perform the maximum possible number of joints of elements in a convenient position on the desktop.

Security measures

When soldering heating system elements, you must take into account that the work uses an electrical device, therefore the rules for protection against electric shock must be strictly observed. The room where soldering is carried out must be constantly ventilated, since molten solder and flux can release toxic substances.

To avoid burns, use protective gloves and protective clothing.

Preparation of elements and parts

Preparation of elements involved in the welding process includes:

• marking the required pipe length;
• cutting measured pieces;
• cleaning the edge of a solid plastic pipe with an iron file or a sharp knife to remove burrs. When connecting reinforced products, it is necessary to remove the top layer of plastic and the aluminum layer along the length of the entrance to the fitting using a shaver;
• further, it is recommended to chamfer at an angle of 35-45º at the outer end of the tube to avoid material scuffing when inserting the tube into the socket of the fitting;
• Mark on the product the length of its insertion into the fitting, based on the depth of the coupling plus 1-2 mm. This gap is necessary to prevent the pipe from narrowing at the joint by the bead weld;
• After marking, the surfaces of the parts must be cleaned of dust, dirt and degreased with an alcohol solution.

Preparing the soldering iron

The soldering iron must be placed on a flat surface, the necessary attachments must be secured to the seats, the thermostat must be set to the welding temperature and connected to the power supply.

Depending on the ambient temperature, the device’s nozzles heat up for 10–15 minutes. The first welding is performed 5 minutes after heating the soldering iron.

Docking rules

The soldering iron simultaneously heats the outer and inner layers of the parts being joined, at the ends of which flanges are formed. The heated parts removed from the nozzles must be immediately joined together, pressing them against each other on both sides, controlling the force.

Having connected the elements, it is important to ensure that they remain motionless for 20 - 30 seconds (depending on the size of the diameter) in order to avoid displacement of the surfaces, leading to disruption of the connection.

Cleaning and cooling connections

With any welding technology, you cannot resort to accelerating the cooling of the weld with cold air, water, etc. With rapid cooling, significant temperature differences occur in the weld area, which contribute to the formation of large stresses in the plastic.

The presence of high internal stress negatively affects the strength of the seam and can lead to the formation of pits.

Therefore, if welding is carried out at a low ambient temperature, the hot seam must be wrapped in thermal insulation material, which will slow down the cooling process and, accordingly, reduce the internal stress in the welding zone.

Checking the connection quality

In order to determine how well the seam of a welded joint is made, it is necessary to visually inspect it for the presence of defects in the form of cracks, cavities or folds that can form when the products overheat. The bead of melted material itself must be uniform and protrude beyond the end surface of the joined elements by 2-3 mm.

In addition, welded joints should not have misalignment of pipes by more than the thickness of their wall.

by soldering

How to properly solder polymer pipes on the wall can be seen in the video:

Common mistakes

Plastic welding is associated with a high probability of errors, which can lead to a poor-quality connection. Among the most common errors are the following:

• poor quality training;
• too much or, conversely, too little pressure when joining products;
• cleaning of deposits during the cooling stage of parts;
• attempts to weld pipes of different diameters;
• insufficient deepening of the pipe into the socket of a larger diameter product.

Expert advice

Soldering plastic pipes requires some skill. Therefore, the first advice from experts is to practice soldering small unnecessary pieces of pipe. In addition, it is recommended:

• choose a soldering iron with a power of no more than 1.2 kW;
• after soldering each part, clean the nozzle from adhering plastic, otherwise it will deform the seam of subsequent connections;
• To clean the heating element from molten plastic, choose only a wooden tool, since a metal one can scratch the surface of the nozzle;
• if any connection raises even the slightest doubt about its quality, it must be cut out and a new joint welded;
• the composition of the material of the pipe wall at the weld joint should be as uniform as possible, therefore it is advisable to use only pipes and fittings from the same manufacturer.

Soldering in hard-to-reach places and corners

The work of assembling a heat pipeline in hard-to-reach places is more difficult than in conditions of sufficient space. Such places usually include the ceiling area, corners of rooms and cramped conditions when it is not possible to install a soldering iron on a stand.

In such situations, they resort to secret tricks:

• the soldering iron is hung on a hook;
• special corner adapters are welded in the corners;
• if the pipe sections to be soldered are located too close to the wall, then the direct and mating sections of the joint are heated alternately. In this case, the first part is heated a little longer than it should be, and then the counter part is heated for a shorter time, but at a higher temperature on the nozzles (the thermostat is set to heat larger diameter pipes);
• In order not to keep the parts suspended when welding on the walls, it is more convenient to secure the pipe with clips and move them as needed.

Conclusion

Welding is one of the most popular methods of connecting individual elements of a heating system. The use of modern technologies allows you to independently make seams that are almost as strong as whole sections of pipelines. This point is very important, since the operating pressure and temperature parameters in heating systems can be quite high.

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How to properly solder plastic pipes

You can solder plastic pipes with your own hands, since this is a simpler task compared to the technology of welding metal analogues. This joining method is used to work with polymer communications of different types. However, the techniques for soldering plastic pipes and reinforced analogues differ slightly. To avoid mistakes when welding communications, study the recommendations of specialists.

Soldering plastic pipes with your own hands.

Types of pipes connected by soldering

A soldering iron for working with polymer material is designed for joining water pipes, which differ in production technology and type of material:

• made of polypropylene - they tolerate high temperatures well, thanks to this property they can be used when installing a heating system;
• PVC: when exposed to strong heat, they partially lose their properties;
• plastic with reinforcement - due to the reinforcing layer, strength and resistance to heat increase, such communications are less susceptible to expansion upon contact with a heat source;
• heat-resistant polyethylene - tolerate long-term contact with coolant;
• polybutylene - superior in properties to analogues from other materials: they are durable, resistant to extreme temperatures, elastic, and can be used in pressure heating systems;
• sections of the copper pipeline are connected with a soldering iron or gas torch.

Solder for soldering

This is a consumable material used to connect copper sections of the pipeline. It is made in the form of wire, rods. Foil solder is also available. The materials of this group differ in composition. They can be produced on the basis of tin, zinc, lead, antimony, and silver. The quality of the seam joint depends on what metals are included in the composition. In addition, solder is divided into types based on exposure to high temperatures: low-melting, medium- and high-melting.

Fluxes and fittings

Fittings for plastic pipes for soldering.

Flux is necessary for welding metal parts. If you plan to use a machine for soldering plastic elements, this material is not used. Flux helps protect metal surfaces during the oxidation process. Another property of such materials is improved solder fluidity. Flux is available in different variants, differing in composition. Necessary materials for working with copper: zinc chloride, boric and hydrochloric acids.

Fittings are the connecting elements for pipelines: tees, couplings, crosses, etc. Their internal size must be equal to the outer diameter of the elements. This creates a reliable connection. However, if a PVC pipeline or other types of polymer structures are welded, then the seam connection using fittings in this case will be permanent.

Cutting scissors

The purpose of the tool is to make cuts on polymer products. If you use a pipe cutter, the edge of the communications will be more neat, and burrs will not appear. This makes further work easier.

This tool comes in different types, including:

• auto;
• guillotine cutter;
• roller shears;
• pipe cutter with ratchet mechanism (suitable for working with communications up to 75 mm in diameter).

Step-by-step instructions for soldering plastic pipes

During the installation of communications, it is important to avoid mistakes. If the installation technology is violated, the quality of the seam joint is significantly reduced, which leads to a reduction in the service life of the pipeline. The risk of leakage increases.

At what temperature should plastic pipes be soldered?

The temperature regime varies depending on the type of communication material. Most often, polypropylene pipes are used; the temperature for them is set at +260°C (upper limit).

They work with polyethylene products under less aggressive conditions: temperature not higher than +220°C. In the absence of a thermostat, the main criterion is the heating time. The larger the diameter of the pipe, the longer it takes to warm up.

The heating time varies from 6 to 20 seconds (for communications with a diameter of 20-63 mm).

Pipe connection

After waiting a sufficient amount of time, the pipe and fitting are removed from the nozzles. It is important to immediately connect them, installing them in the correct position relative to the axis of the pipeline. Complete hardening of the polymer material occurs in 2-3 minutes. However, closer to the end of this period of time, it is no longer possible to adjust the position of the pipe and fitting relative to each other. This will lead to the destruction of the formed molecular bonds. As a result, the quality of the connection will decrease.

How to properly solder polypropylene pipes for heating

Manufacturers of materials for laying utility networks offer a wide selection of modern solutions that have replaced traditional ones. In particular, this applies to pipes for installation in a house or apartment of a water supply system, a hot water supply branch, a radiator and floor heating system.

To lay or repair a local pipeline made of polymer pipes (polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene), you need a special tool and some skill in working with it.

Soldering plastic pipes is not a complex job, but it is important to understand the technology and take into account a number of points in order to get a reliable and durable result.

Tool for soldering plastic pipes

Pipe soldering machine

In everyday life, a special device is used, designed to connect a polymer pipe to the corresponding fitting or coupling. The maximum permissible pipe diameter that a home craftsman can handle is 63 mm. Larger diameter pipes are mostly butt welded using professional equipment.

A soldering tool for home use is a unit equipped with a stand, the working part of which is heated to a predetermined temperature. The heating element (sole) is equipped with holes for installing nozzles of various diameters (from 16 to 32 mm).

Apparatus for soldering plastic pipes

The devices differ in design:

There is no fundamental difference which one to use for soldering plastic pipes with your own hands. In any case, strictly following the instructions will help you get the desired result.

Secrets of high-quality soldering

Soldering of pipes should be carried out in a room with a positive temperature, and the colder the air, the more time it will take to warm up plastic or metal-plastic parts for a tight and durable connection.

Secrets of high-quality soldering

To avoid common mistakes when installing heating or water supply pipes, pay attention to the following recommendations:

• The power of a household tool should be 1200 W.
• The device for home use is designed to work with pipes with a diameter of up to 32 mm; in other cases, you need to use a professional soldering iron.
• Before you start soldering, warm up the device for at least 5–10 minutes so that the working part with nozzles warms up to the specified parameters.
• Having soldered the pipeline elements together, do not twist them or move the seam so as not to damage its integrity. It is only permissible to carefully straighten the distortions, otherwise the seam will leak under load.
• Do not squeeze the parts together too much. Since the melted plastic will be pressed inward and reduce the bore diameter of the fitting, which will worsen the operating parameters of the system.
• Do not leave gaps between the edge of the pipe and the inside of the fitting. Such a connection will leak under pressure.
• Be sure to allow the soldered area to cool completely before applying stress.
• After each soldering operation, clean the nozzles from traces of melted plastic. This will prevent the appearance of carbon deposits, as well as damage to elements that need to be soldered.
• Clean the nozzles using a flat wooden stick. This will protect the Teflon coating from damage. Metal objects cannot be used, as scratches will render the nozzle unusable, and the plastic will stick to it and burn.

Attention! Before you begin installing the pipeline, watch the detailed video instructions and practice on unnecessary scraps of plastic pipes.

Work progress

Let's take a closer look at how to properly solder plastic pipes at home. At the preliminary stage, you need to prepare all the necessary tools:

• tape measure and marker;
• needle file or file;
• fine grain sandpaper;
• pipe cutter;
• sharp mounting knife;
• soldering iron for welding plastic.

You will also need a rag and alcohol (or other degreasing agent) to treat the surfaces to be soldered.

Preparing elements

The pipes are cut to the required length using a special pipe cutter or a sharp mounting knife. Make sure that the cut is strictly perpendicular, otherwise you will not be able to make a tight connection.

Using a Shaver

Next you need to process the edge of the pipe. It is advisable to use a special tool - a shaver, but in its absence it is enough to use a mounting knife (used to remove burrs), after which the edge of an ordinary pipe made of propylene or fiberglass reinforced needs to be processed until smooth using a needle file and fine-grained sandpaper.

Important! For an aluminum-reinforced PVC pipe, it is recommended to remove the top layer of polymer and the foil layer at the edge to improve the quality of the connection.

After making sure that the smoothness of the treated edge is almost as good as the inside of a fitting purchased in a store, you can begin to solder the elements, having previously degreased the surfaces to be joined with alcohol.

Soldering technology

Let's look at how to use a soldering iron and what temperature mode you need to choose for different types of plastic pipes. Do-it-yourself installation of a polymer pipeline is carried out in several stages:

1. The soldering unit is securely fixed to the platform and installed on the working part of the nozzle of a suitable diameter.
2. The electric soldering iron is turned on after setting the required temperature. To solder polypropylene parts to each other, the working part must be heated to 260°C; when welding PVC products, heating to 220°C is required.
3. After the apparatus has warmed up, the fitting and the prepared edge of the pipe are put on the nozzles and the parts are heated for several seconds (the exact heating time is indicated in the table below, it depends on the diameter of the elements).
4. After waiting the required time, the parts are carefully joined together and left to cool completely. All other elements of the pipeline are fastened in the same way.

The depth of welding of the pipe corresponds to the parameters of the inside of the fitting - nozzles on the soldering iron ensure heating of the elements to the same depth to ensure maximum contact of surfaces for better adhesion.

Soldering process technology

The method of connecting polymer pipes using temperature welding is quite simple if you master the skill of accurately connecting heated elements and know how to solder the parts. Once the pipe is inserted into the fitting, it is not moved or rotated so that the heated polymer can form a monolith. If the joint is moved before the material hardens, the polymer will bunch up and the joint will depressurize.

How to properly solder polypropylene pipes, instructions, tips and tricks

Plumbing and heating systems are integral elements of any modern apartment or house. The basis of these systems are pipes. Traditional cast iron and steel structures are being replaced by more durable and easy-to-install polypropylene plumbing and heating structures. They are plastic, easy to repair or replace, and are not subject to corrosion.

The correct choice and proper connection will ensure the durability of plumbing and thermal heating systems.

The selection of pipes directly depends on their intended use. The main parameters are considered to be: the temperature of the medium that will be carried through the pipeline and the operating pressure of the system. The diameter of the pipeline is no less important, and it depends on the volume of liquid that the pipeline must pass.

For cold water supply pipelines, pipes without a reinforced component with the following markings are used:

• ​​ PN 10 - the product is designed for liquid temperatures up to 20 degrees when used in underfloor heating systems up to 45 degrees with a maximum system pressure of up to 1 MPa;
• PN 16 - the product is used in cold and hot water supply at liquid temperatures up to 95 degrees and pressure up to 1.6 MPa.

Products with higher thermal characteristics and the ability to work in cold and hot water supply systems with high pressure are marked with the following indexes:

• PN 20 are used in temperatures up to 95 degrees and maximum pressure up to 2 MPa.
• PN 25 are used in hot water heating systems. They have a reinforced component, which significantly increases strength. Operating temperature up to 95 degrees and maximum pressure up to 2.5 MPa.

In addition to pipes, the installation of the system requires connecting elements that allow you to create an integral heating or water supply system, taking into account all the necessary requirements for each individual case.

Fittings and couplings - types and purpose

, special couplings and fittings of various shapes are used to connect sections of the water main . They are straight and angular.

For branching, branching fittings of various configurations are used, as well as fittings for transitioning polypropylene pipes to other connectors of the water supply system, for example, flexible connections leading to drainage points, taps, and mixers.

Before installing a plumbing or heating system, a drawing is drawn up that takes into account all turns, branches and connections to sources of consumption . This helps greatly in calculating the required type and number of couplings and fittings. After acquiring all the elements, the installation of the structure begins.

The soldering technique involves heating the material of the surfaces to be joined until it melts, followed by joining and fixing. To carry out this work, you need to prepare special tools.

1. Specialized soldering iron.
2. Scissors for cutting polypropylene pipes.
3. A device for cleaning the reinforced part of pipes is a shaver.
4. Alcohol based degreaser.

You will also need a tape measure, a knife, a corner, a piece of unnecessary rag, a file or sandpaper, and a marker.

Soldering iron

This basic tool required for soldering polypropylene products can be of two types:

• The manual type is designed for soldering parts of a pipeline with a small diameter up to 65 mm. There are two types: cylindrical and sword-shaped. Used for domestic purposes, it is characterized by low cost and compact appearance.
• Mechanical type - these are automatic or semi-automatic welding stations for the installation of large diameter pipes over 63 mm. Centering and connection of elements occurs using special devices based on a hydraulic or mechanical operating principle. This soldering machine is large in size and expensive, and is intended for use both indoors and in the field.

To install a heating network or water supply in an apartment or house, use a hand-held soldering apparatus and attachments for it. The nozzles are included with the soldering iron and have different sizes to meet the standards of produced pipes with a diameter of up to 63 mm.

Each nozzle corresponds, on the one hand, to the internal diameter, and on the other, to the external diameter of a pipe of a particular standard. The nozzles are coated with Teflon coating.

This makes it easy to release the heated part of the products for subsequent soldering to each other.

Scissors

A tool that allows you to cut a polypropylene product at an angle of 90 degrees relative to the pipe length vector, while maintaining a straight cut edge. This is very important for the reliability of soldered connections.

Shaver

This is a device for properly stripping the reinforced layer. Allows you to smoothly and to the required depth the outer diameter of the product to pure polypropylene on pipes with top reinforcement.

Degreaser

Necessary for high-quality melting of products and hermetic connection of the structure.

Soldering of polypropylene pipes

Soldering polypropylene pipes is not difficult, but requires care and precision in meeting a few technological requirements. How to properly solder polypropylene pipes will be discussed below. The elements are connected by socket soldering with simultaneous heating of the outer part of the pipe and the inner part of the coupling or fitting with a soldering apparatus using a nozzle corresponding to the size of the elements being soldered.

After heating to the desired temperature, the parts are removed from the nozzle and quickly connected to form a monolithic unit; in other words, they are fused together. The method is called diffusion, since after heating the parts can be seamlessly connected. After hardening, a tight connection is formed. To ensure a high-quality, correct connection of pipeline elements, you will need to carry out a number of preparatory work.

Before installing the pipeline structure, you need to cut the pipes correctly so that there are no problems with joining the elements. All material cuts must be made with scissors at an angle of 90 degrees. They make it possible to make the most accurate cut with a smooth edge.

Then you need to mark the dimensions of the connecting surfaces. To do this, determine the heating depth of the fitting or coupling by marking the depth of the nozzle with a pencil or marker. A mark of the same size is made on the pipe.

Preparing the soldering iron involves installing the device on a working stand. Nozzles corresponding to the diameters of the mounted parts are attached to the heating surface. The mounting elements should fit relatively easily into the heated nozzles.

The optimal heating temperature is set on the soldering iron temperature control regulator , it is usually 210-260 degrees, polypropylene begins to melt at 170 degrees. The parts to be joined are simultaneously put on the heated nozzles to the depth marked with a marker.

After waiting for the surfaces to soften (the time required for this can be determined using special unified tables), the parts are connected to each other to the marked depth. The elements are connected with little force, but without rotation along their axis - this is strictly prohibited and will violate the tightness of the alloy of heated surfaces.

Installation temperature parameters

The soldering temperature for polypropylene pipes depends on the diameter and thickness of the product and starts at 170 degrees. For the convenience of calculating heating time, there are special tables. Below are the time parameters for heating the main diameters of pipes used in the installation of home heating networks or water supply systems at a heating temperature of the soldering unit of 240 degrees.

Standard diameters of pipes, coupling fittings in millimeters	Heating time in seconds	Joining time of connected parts	Fixing time for cooling parts
16	5	4	2
20	5	4	2
25	7	4	2
32	8	6	4
40	12	6	4

Using the parameters of optimal heating, joining and cooling of the connected elements, reliable soldering of polypropylene pipes and other pipeline components is achieved.

Cold water supply pipelines

For the installation of cold water supply, you can use any polypropylene pipes, including grades PN 10 and PN 16. These models are thin-walled and require careful handling when joining the molten parts; minimal force is applied to connect them.

It is also necessary to strictly observe the time required for heating the parts of the connection. For cold water supply, as a rule, non-reinforced pipes are used, so additional processing of the connecting ends is not required.

Before starting installation of the main structure, it is better to first make several test connections to select the optimal heating temperature for the soldering iron.

Heating mains and hot water supply pipelines

Hot water passing through the pipes causes a slight expansion of the material and, as a result, an increase in the length of the product. To compensate for this phenomenon during installation, it is necessary to make U-shaped bends in the line from time to time.

High water temperatures also require the installation of specialized reinforced pipes , which are made slightly larger than the diameter required for joining. Carefully trim off the excess layer of material with a shaver. This is necessary to compensate for expansion across the width of the pipe when heated.

Further actions occur in the same way as when connecting a cold water supply.

Repair of failed sections of the highway

When a pipe ruptures, leaks, or as a result of poor-quality soldering, sometimes it becomes necessary to replace the failed section. To do this, turn off the water supply and cut out the damaged area with special scissors.

At the cut points, the edges of the pipes must be dried, cleaned and wiped with an alcohol-containing degreasing liquid.

Only after this do they begin to weld a new, serviceable piece using the methods described above, depending on the temperature carried through the water line.

Cold welding method

This method of connecting pipeline elements is only suitable for cold water under low pressure. The joining surfaces are degreased. A special glue, sold in construction stores, is applied, the elements are joined and fixed for thirty seconds. The water supply will be ready for use in only an hour. This method is not reliable and does not create a monolithic connection of parts.

Polypropylene pipes are a good alternative to classic steel or cast iron lines. Installation of water and heat supplies with their help is simple, not labor-intensive and cheap. Therefore, these products have taken their large and rightful place in their segment of the construction market.

Source: https://tokar.guru/truby/kak-pravilno-spayat-polipropilenovye-truby-svoimi-rukami.html

How to properly solder reinforced polypropylene pipes

Polypropylene pipes have entered our lives as a cheap and versatile building material. There are many ways to connect them, but one of the most reliable, practical and convenient is soldering. To perform quality work, you need to know some subtleties and tricks, which will be discussed in the article.

Pipe types

Many people miss this moment, but in vain. The quality and possibility of connecting pipes by soldering directly depends on their type. Here are a few of the most important points:

Pipe diameter.

Wall thickness . The heating time of the pipe depends on it. The thicker the wall, the longer it will take to heat the pipe or set the temperature higher.

External or internal reinforcement . This is an extremely important stage that many are silent about. Some pipes are reinforced with metal to increase strength. This protection can be located both inside the pipe and outside. When working with such pipes, there are subtleties that should be taken into account.

Also see the table of markings corresponding to the scope of application.

Scope of application and features

PN 10

For supplying cold water in underfloor heating systems with heating up to 45 0 C. Has thin walls.

PN 16

Used on high-pressure water pipes and low-pressure heating pipes.

PN 20

Universal pipe. Supply of water with a temperature not higher than 85 0 C

PN 25

Hot water supply, heating. Water supply up to 95 0 C. Reinforced with foil.

Pipes of the latter type are used to connect plastic pipelines to metal ones.

Types of connection of polypropylene pipes

When polypropylene is heated, mutual diffusion occurs - mixing of particles. What’s characteristic is that when it cools, the reverse reaction does not occur; the part becomes monolithic. This quality is used when connecting two pipes. Let's consider how the result is achieved.

Socket welding

This principle is most popular due to its simplicity and accessibility. To connect pipes of the same diameter, a special part is used - a coupling. Its internal diameter is slightly smaller than the external diameter of the pipes being welded.

Welding occurs due to heating and melting of the outer surface of the pipe and the inner surface of the coupling. Then the pipe is inserted into the coupling, the operation is repeated with the other part, and the connection is complete.

Butt welding

This principle is applied in production. To connect pipes of the same diameter, their sides are melted and then joined into a joint. The method is complicated in that it is necessary to ensure perfect, precise alignment, which is impossible at home.

Another disadvantage is the low strength of the resulting joint, so butt welding is not particularly widespread among craftsmen.

Cold welding

Cold welding (using glue) is another type of connection. A special glue containing a strong solvent is applied to the pipe. It softens the surfaces of the pipes and they can be inserted into each other.

The big disadvantage of this method is the low strength and tightness of the resulting connection. Another disadvantage is the drying time – a day or more. This is where cold welding loses to thermal welding.

At home, it is advisable to use connections using couplings. We will consider this method in more detail.

Required Tools

Before starting work, it is important to prepare all the necessary tools. Here's what you'll need:

Welding machine is a heating element with nozzles for different pipe diameters. Some models have a thermostat to maintain a set temperature; working with these devices is much easier.

Pay attention to the number of holes for nozzles. Optimal – 2-3 pcs . This will speed up the process of welding pipes of different diameters.

If you do not plan to use this device in the future, then there are many services where you can rent a welding machine for the duration of the repair. So you don't have to buy it.

Scissors. You can cut the pipe with a hacksaw, saw or even a grinder, but the quality of the resulting surface will be unsatisfactory. It is much more convenient and practical to purchase special scissors for these purposes.

Gloves to protect your hands - choose thick ones that do not conduct heat well. This will protect you from getting burned.

Shaver. The device removes the outer aluminum layer when working with reinforced pipes. The tool may not be useful, depending on the type of material

Trimmer. The device is designed to remove part of the internal reinforcement. This is necessary to avoid water getting between the layers of the pipe.

Source: https://master-kleit.ru/origami/kak-pravilno-pajat-polipropilenovye-truby/

Polypropylene reinforced pipes and their features

Polypropylene reinforced pipes for heating and plumbing are a completely new material that has been on the market for only a few years. Therefore, many are interested in what is the advantage of these pipes and is reinforcement so important? Next, we will try to answer this question and consider all the features of polypropylene pipes.

Reinforced polypropylene pipes

Disadvantages of polypropylene

Polypropylene pipes have become one of the most popular types of plastic pipes, as they have a number of positive qualities (find out here how and for what purpose drainage pipes are used on the site).

However, they are not without disadvantages that are associated with the characteristics of the material itself:

• Polypropylene is a low-melting plastic;
• Has a high coefficient of thermal expansion.

Now we will take a closer look at the disadvantages of pipelines made of this material.

Heat resistance

The declared melting point of the material is 175 degrees Celsius, however, it begins to soften at a much lower temperature - 140 degrees. The guaranteed temperature at which the products meet all the declared characteristics and the pipeline works as expected is 95 degrees Celsius (for some varieties it is even less).

Such a large temperature “reserve” is due to the fact that when the walls of a polypropylene pipeline are simultaneously exposed to high temperature and pressure, its resistance is significantly less than when exposed to these factors separately.

The photo shows a pipeline deformed as a result of thermal expansion.

Temperature expansion

As you know, when heated, all materials expand, only some expand more and others less. Polypropylene is one of those that expands very strongly. Of course, for cold water supply this property does not matter, but when installing heating systems or hot water supply, it causes a lot of problems:

Aesthetics	When extended, the pipeline moves in unattractive waves
Integrity of decorative coatings	In the case of hidden installation of the pipeline, for example, in the covering of walls or under a screed, expansion leads to cracking of the covering.

Problem solving

As you probably guessed, the solution to all of the above problems is reinforced polypropylene pipes. The fact is that the reinforcement serves as a strong frame for the pipe, which does not allow it to increase in length and width when heated.

In addition, if excessive heating occurs, the reinforcement does not allow the pipe to swell and burst. True, the maximum operating temperature declared by the manufacturers is still 95 degrees Celsius, but reinforced pipes are still much more heat-resistant.

Aluminum reinforcement diagram

Types of reinforcement

Today there are two types of reinforcement:

• Aluminum;
• Fiberglass.

Each type of reinforcement gives the product certain properties.

Aluminum

Polypropylene pipes reinforced with aluminum consist of several layers, between which aluminum foil is located. The layers are glued together with polypropylene glue.

Note! The quality of multilayer products largely depends on the quality of the adhesive joint. Therefore, it is not uncommon for cheap pipes to delaminate under certain operating conditions.

It must be said that aluminum reinforcement comes in two types:

Perforated reinforcement

Fiberglass

Fiberglass is an alternative to aluminum. As in the previous case, there are layers of polypropylene on the outside and inside of the product, and a layer of fiberglass on the inside. Moreover, all layers are monolithic.

The inner layer of these products is welded to the outer and inner. As a result, polypropylene holds the fiberglass fibers together, and the fiberglass, in turn, prevents it from deforming. Unlike the previous type of reinforcement, when using fiberglass, no glue is used.

Fiberglass reinforcement scheme

The disadvantage of fiberglass is that it increases the weight of the product, but its price is slightly reduced. True, the cost largely depends on the manufacturer.

In addition, it should be noted that the fiberglass-reinforced heating pipeline saturates the coolant with oxygen, as a result of which the boilers rust. However, according to many experts, this problem is more far-fetched than real, since there are no specific figures.

Pipe soldering

Soldering of reinforced polypropylene pipes is carried out according to the same principle as conventional polypropylene products:

• First of all, the products are cut to size, in accordance with the diagram of the future pipeline;
• Then the fittings and pipes are heated with a special soldering iron until softened;
• The heated elements are combined and held in this position until the materials harden, resulting in a reliable connection.

However, there is a difference - the installation instructions for aluminum-reinforced pipes contain another technological process. Before heating the product with a soldering iron, it must be cleaned, i.e. remove the aluminum layer.

However, there is nothing complicated about it.

If the aluminum layer is located outside, the operation is performed as follows:

• The pipe must be inserted into a special simple coupling with knives
• Next, you need to turn the tool several times with your own hands.
• After this, soldering is performed according to the standard scheme.

Note! Polypropylene heating pipes reinforced with aluminum must contain solid foil. For hot water supply, perforated reinforcement can be used.

Facing tool

For pipes with reinforcement located inside, a slightly more complex tool is used - a trimmer. The principle of its operation is that it selects the inner layer from the end of the pipe, thereby ensuring a reliable joint between the pipeline elements.

This operation prevents:

• Pipeline delamination;
• Destruction of aluminum as a result of electrochemical processes that occur when there is a potential difference in metals.

As for soldering glass fiber reinforced products, the process is no different from soldering single-layer polypropylene.

Advice! You can distinguish polypropylene pipes reinforced with fiberglass by the joint - they have three layers of approximately the same thickness.

These are all the features that you need to familiarize yourself with before soldering reinforced polypropylene pipes.

Conclusion

Reinforcement of polypropylene pipes improves their basic characteristics. Therefore, they quickly became in demand. Most often they are used to install heating systems and pipelines; in fact, they were developed for these purposes.

You can get more information on this topic from the video in this article.

Source: https://gidroguru.com/trubi/materialy/polipropilen/305-polipropilenovye-armirovannye-truby

How to solder polypropylene pipes with your own hands - Metals, equipment, instructions

Polypropylene pipes are intended mainly for organizing water supply and heating in non-fire hazardous areas.

Such a pipeline is easy and quick to install and lasts about 50 years, but it has a significant drawback: when heated, polypropylene softens and is easily deformed.

This parameter is important for heating and hot water supply systems, since they undergo dynamic temperature changes, as a result of which plastic pipes change their design position.

Deformation of polypropylene pipe.

Similar phenomena do not occur when using a cold water pipeline. Based on the above, reinforced polypropylene pipes are used for hot water supply.

Strengthening of plastic occurs through the use of aluminum foil, fiberglass or increasing the thickness of the walls of the product.

Aluminum integrated into polypropylene, which can be placed inside the thickness of the plastic (non-stripping pipe) or outside (stripping pipe), significantly reduces the linear expansion of the pipeline.

Fiberglass gives a similar effect, which allows this type of pipeline to be used for heating. A pipe with thicker walls is used for hot water.

Basic rules for soldering polypropylene pipes

To obtain quality indicators such as the tightness of the welded assembly, maintaining the internal diameter at the junction of parts, aesthetic appearance, etc., the following rules must be taken into account.

The connection area must be dry and free of dirt

Often, in practice, a situation arises when you need to solder a fitting into an existing plastic wiring. Although the pipeline is equipped with a common tap, due to wear and tear, it cannot fully fulfill its purpose. In such situations, water flow instead of connection is inevitable. To eliminate the leak while soldering the elements, you can take the following steps:

Step 1. Shut off the general water supply valve, drain the remaining water into the sewer through the mixer, cut off the pipeline at the junction taking into account the immersion depth, drain the water, dry the area and weld the components. In this case, it is advisable to replace the faulty shut-off valve.

Step 2. You can temporarily stop the flow of liquid by displacing or draining the water column from the pipeline, if the water supply stops for some time (30 seconds is enough).

If the leak cannot be stopped, then the internal cavity of the water pipe is sealed with bread pulp, and after welding it is removed through the nearest mixer, but before that, the filter is unscrewed from its drain tube.

It is not recommended to use toilet paper as a stopper; it does not come out of the pipeline well.

Do not overheat the connections

Due to excessive overheating, the cross-section of the pipeline decreases, and accordingly the intensity of the water or coolant supply decreases. Overheating can occur as a result of non-compliance with the welding temperature and the holding time of the parts in the nozzle. Table 1 presents data on obtaining a high-quality seam for some pipe sizes.

The soldering iron nozzle must be securely fixed

A loose cue ball while working with parts damages the heating surface of the soldering iron and contributes to the formation of misaligned joints.

After connecting the elements, do not rotate or move them more than 5 degrees

To obtain uniform diffusion, it is advisable after joining not to rotate or align the welded elements during the hardening time of the seam.

The movement of the workpiece in the cue ball must be straight

Other movements may reduce the strength of the seam. The junction point, of course, will withstand the water pressure in the central line, which is usually in the range of 2 - 3 bar, but at nominal pressure (10, 20, 25 bar), it will probably allow liquid to pass through.

Features of the stripping pipe connection

Before connecting the stripping pipe, you need to remove the foil layer from it with a special shavings (shaver) to the size of the soldering depth. In the absence of a shaver, the reinforcing layer is carefully cut off with a stationery knife evenly over the entire area where the pipe is immersed in the fitting. This method looks unprofessional, but when carefully removed it does not reduce the outer diameter of the polypropylene.

What is needed for soldering

To join pipes and transition elements, you will need the following tools:

• set for soldering pipes (soldering iron, 20 mm nozzle, stand);
• scissors for plastic pipes;
• a simple pencil;
• pipe lever wrenches;
• roulette.

Do-it-yourself soldering of polypropylene pipes using an example

Let's look at the soldering technique and the sequence of installing additional shut-off valves and a pressure gauge into the existing plumbing system.

These elements participate in the apartment’s backup water supply circuit (water storage tank with pump).

The water tap is installed to switch the water supply position from the central line to the reserve position. The pressure gauge signals the appearance of water in the riser. The unit is quite difficult to integrate into the existing wiring due to limited space when connecting pipes by soldering.

To create such a unit, which is made of polypropylene pipes and transitions with a cross-section of 20 mm, the following material is needed:

1. Angle at 45 degrees. in the amount of 2 pcs.
2. Angle at 90 degrees. -1 PC.
3. Tee - 2 pcs.
4. Connecting coupling - 1 pc.
5. Pipe for cold water - 1 meter.
6. Coupling, internal thread (MRV) 1/2 inch.

Source: https://spb-metalloobrabotka.com/kak-spayat-polipropilenovye-truby-svoimi-rukami/

How to properly solder glass fiber reinforced polypropylene pipes

Polypropylene reinforced pipes for heating and plumbing are a completely new material that has been on the market for only a few years. Therefore, many are interested in what is the advantage of these pipes and is reinforcement so important? Next, we will try to answer this question and consider all the features of polypropylene pipes.

Reinforced polypropylene pipes

Installation features

Soldering of reinforced polypropylene pipes is carried out according to the same principle as conventional polypropylene products:

• First of all, the products are cut to size, in accordance with the diagram of the future pipeline;
• Then the fittings and pipes are heated with a special soldering iron until softened;
• The heated elements are combined and held in this position until the materials harden, resulting in a reliable connection.

However, there is a difference - the installation instructions for aluminum-reinforced pipes contain another technological process. Before heating the product with a soldering iron, it must be cleaned, i.e. remove the aluminum layer.

However, there is nothing complicated about it.

If the aluminum layer is located outside, the operation is performed as follows:

• The pipe must be inserted into a special simple coupling with knives
• Next, you need to turn the tool several times with your own hands.
• After this, soldering is performed according to the standard scheme.

Note! Polypropylene heating pipes reinforced with aluminum must contain solid foil. For hot water supply, perforated reinforcement can be used.

Facing tool

For pipes with reinforcement located inside, a slightly more complex tool is used - a trimmer. The principle of its operation is that it selects the inner layer from the end of the pipe, thereby ensuring a reliable joint between the pipeline elements.

This operation prevents:

• Pipeline delamination;
• Destruction of aluminum as a result of electrochemical processes that occur when there is a potential difference in metals.

As for soldering glass fiber reinforced products, the process is no different from soldering single-layer polypropylene.

Advice! You can distinguish polypropylene pipes reinforced with fiberglass by the joint - they have three layers of approximately the same thickness.

These are all the features that you need to familiarize yourself with before soldering reinforced polypropylene pipes.