Features of the technology of soldering polypropylene pipes

Today, in the repair and arrangement of water supply and sewage systems, polypropylene pipes are most often used. If you intend to do everything yourself, then you have to know how to properly weld products.

Connection scheme of polypropylene pipes with couplings.

Before choosing the technology of soldering pipes, you should determine which material will be used. Pipes that are used in domestic systems can be divided into four categories. The first one assumes the brand of products PN 10, which are thin-walled. They should be installed when cold water flows through the pipes. The second type of pipe is PN 16. Such products can be used to supply cold water, provided that there can be increased pressure in the system. In addition, the mentioned type of pipes can be used for the installation of heating, the working pressure of which is not high, for such systems can be attributed autonomous. The brand of pipes PN 20 acts as a universal category, which is excellent for arranging water supply, the temperature of which does not exceed 80 ° C. At the same time, the operating pressure in the system should not exceed 2 MPa.

The last variety is PN 25. Pipes belonging to this class are represented by a special type. They have reinforcement based on aluminum foil. The area of ​​their application is cold and hot water supply, the pressure in which is limited by the limit of 2.5 MPa.

Features of the choice of the type of connection when soldering

The device for the soldering of polypropylene.

The technology of soldering pipes involves not only determining their type, but also choosing the type of connection. So, if you have to work with a material whose diameter is not too large and is limited to 63 mm, then it is recommended to use coupling soldering. These works involve the pairing of two pieces by using an additional part, which is called a coupling.

In order to mate pipes that have steel parts, you should use threaded connections or fittings that have a socket with a seal.

If in the course of work it is necessary to install pipes with a more impressive diameter than the one mentioned above, one should take as a basis a soldering method called a butt joint. At the same time it is not required to use connecting components. This technology acts as the most reliable.

Polypropylene pipes, which have an impressive diameter, can be welded using the coupling method if there are fittings of the right size available. Some masters wonder whether there is an opportunity to pair the pipes without using welding for this. It is possible to make a connection using fittings, but they should be used in the construction of free-flow systems, which is suitable for installing sewers. If work is being done on plumbing or heating, then it is recommended to use welded joints as a basis, in addition, they are not so difficult to implement.

It is possible to use fittings for mating pipes without using welding if the pipes have a diameter of no more than 315 mm. This is true since it is not economically feasible to use fittings for mating pipes of more impressive diameter.

Welding preparation

Technical parameters of welding of polypropylene pipes.

The main feature of the technology is the need to use a special soldering iron.

If you intend to do the work once, then you should not buy the tool, since such equipment can be rented.

The simplest modifications of such an apparatus, designed for pipe welding, have a power of 800 watts. This is quite enough for a home wizard. The capacity of the installation influences the period of heating, and how reliable and aesthetically welded the pipe will be does not depend on this indicator.

To carry out the welding of polypropylene should be prepared:

• soldering iron;
• roulette wheel;
• pencil;
• pipe cutter;
• knife.

Polypropylene pipes before installation and welding will have to be cut, for which a pipe cutter is perfect. Replace the tool can be a hacksaw, designed to work on the metal. The first version of the tool will speed up the work. This is because such scissors can make an exact cut, the angle of which will be equal to 90 °. If you use a hacksaw for this, the cutting line will most likely need to be repaired using sandpaper. When using a pipe based on aluminum-reinforced material in the process of work, a shader will also need to be used to process cuts.

Soldering technology has features.

The scheme of soldering pipes made of polypropylene.

It is possible to weld polypropylene pipes, which have an insignificant diameter, not exceeding 49 mm, using a simple hand-held device designed for welding. If the work is supposed to match the products of larger diameter, it is recommended to stock up on the installation, which has a centering device.

Two heating nozzles have a sleeve in the composition, on which a tube should be put on, while a coupling is inserted into the mandrel. The installation must be placed on a flat base and left to heat until a certain temperature is reached. The warm-up period takes 10-15 minutes, this is affected by power.

If soldering of polypropylene pipes, which belong to the class PN 10 and PN 20, is made, it is recommended to check the joints for the absence of dirt and errors. When working with reinforced pipes by means of a shaver, it is necessary to get rid of a part of the thickness, otherwise it will be impossible to put the pipe on the fitting. Processing is carried out on the depth of entry into the clutch.

The pipe and fitting need to be put on the tool nozzles, and after that wait until the elements are warmed up. This time will depend on the power of the device and the temperature of the outside air. The wizard will be able to learn more details about the exposure time from the instructions for the device.

As soon as the parts are warmed up, they can be removed from the device and proceed to pairing, without the need for twisting movements.

Elements must be kept for a certain period in a static position, without subjecting the material to deformation. Once the material has cooled, the conjugation can be considered securely reinforced.

Butt weld type

When installing polypropylene pipes that have a diameter greater than 50 mm, you should use another type of welding, which is called butt welding. This method should be used when working exclusively with thick-walled pipes whose thickness is not less than 4 mm. Before mating polypropylene pipes, their ends should be well processed to make the surfaces parallel. Boil need, respecting the coincidence of the axes. This indicates the need to use a centering device.

Soldering technology involves heating by means of a heating element in the form of a disk. The rest of the work is carried out as described above.

Performing pipe welding is a simple job, but involves careful handling. It is important to observe the period of heating and holding connections.