Corrugated stainless steel pipe is new material in plumbing, gaining popularity in the domestic market. Despite the fact that it was created by the Japanese at the end of the last century, it was supplied to the post-Soviet countries mainly from Korea and Germany.

Such pipes quickly proved their superiority over steel and plastic products. They have a lot of advantages - durability, high quality, ease of installation and reliability. During installation, various brass fittings of different diameters are used to reliably connect elements of a gas, plumbing or heating system. The production of fittings is carried out by companies that manufacture corrugated pipes.

Prices for corrugated stainless pipes

Corrugated pipes: features and characteristics

There are several types of such pipes. Depending on the diameter, they can be 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3.2 centimeters. Of course, it is possible to produce pipes of larger diameters, as well as with non-standard sizes, but all this is done to order.

A distinctive feature of corrugated pipes is that they are able to operate in a wide temperature range. The lower limit is minus 50 C, so the products can be used for transporting liquid nitrogen or other low-temperature substances. The upper edge (which is plus 110 C) is due to the properties of the plastic elements of the connecting fittings, while the pipe itself perfectly tolerates temperatures up to plus 800 C.

Corrugated stainless steel pipes are also good because they can withstand pressure changes without any consequences. The limit level is fifty atmospheres, but if the product good quality, then it will withstand a blow of two hundred and ten atmospheres.

Note! Most manufacturers say that the warranty period for such products is 20 years. But provided that they are used in accordance with the technical requirements.

Video - Corrugated pipes

Basic criteria for choosing corrugated pipes

As already noted, the applications for the pipes described here are numerous. If we talk about living quarters, then this includes water supply, heating, and much more. You can equip the corrugation in a greenhouse to heat the soil, in a swimming pool to warm up the water, and use it to create heat exchangers for a variety of purposes. Depending on the manufacturer, the quality of the pipes may vary, so when choosing a particular model, a number of important points should be taken into account.

First of all, understand that all the necessary markings are indicated exclusively on the wrapper, since it is simply impossible to print it on a corrugated surface. Therefore, check the container for its integrity. The fact is that the difference between some types of products is so large that some unscrupulous sellers are trying to make money on this by substituting containers.

The seam on a high-quality corrugation should be unbroken and even, with the same pitch and without any external damage. And if you bend it several times and straighten it, it should not leave any marks on the surface. You also need to pay attention to the following points:

connecting elements must be complete;
there should be no fractures or damage along the entire length of the products;
Chips and cracks are also excluded.

Despite the fact that Japanese-made products are rightfully considered the best, the Latvian brand Lavita has recently become increasingly popular. The quality of such corrugated pipes is in no way inferior to the quality of more famous manufacturers, but the cost is an order of magnitude lower.

How to choose pipes for heated floors

Note! The cost of corrugated stainless pipe varies widely. So, on average it is from 370 rubles to 1560 rubles per meter, although it all depends on the specific manufacturer.

Features of installation of corrugated pipes

Modern manufacturers produce corrugated pipes of the most different diameters(as mentioned above), thanks to which it is possible to arrange heating and water supply networks as in country house, and in an ordinary apartment. From a technological point of view, there is nothing complicated in the installation procedure. All elements must be connected to each other using special brass fittings, the design of which is simple and at the same time reliable.

Frankly speaking, the installation process is a lot like installing a metal-plastic pipeline, for which compression fittings. Although in this kind of comparison this technology much easier.

Note! The most important point The thing to remember is that if pipes from the same manufacturer were purchased, then the fittings should be of the same brand. You should not try to save money by buying fittings from dubious companies, as such attempts can lead to an emergency when used.

The installation procedure itself is as follows.

Step 1. The fittings are connected to plumbing fixtures using special seals (they are included in the kit). After this, you need to check whether the nut on the connection side is tightened.

Step 2. The pipe is cut with any available tool (although ideally this should be done using a special roller pipe cutter). The edge of the pipe is checked for evenness and absence of burrs - if necessary, the product is adjusted.

Step 3. The pipe is inserted into the fitting, union nut tightened thoroughly.

Step 4. The pipe is given the desired configuration, after which it is attached to the wall using special fasteners.

Step 5. Upon completion of installation, water is supplied, and the corrugated stainless pipe is checked for performance at elevated pressure. If leaks are detected, the nuts mentioned above are immediately tightened.

Video - Installation of corrugated pipes

Areas of application

The described pipes are used not only in engineering communications, but also in private construction and industrial facilities. More specifically, in those systems where the size and diameter of the pipes are insignificant:

heating (this also includes “warm floors”);
water pipes;
wiring;
gas pipelines;
air conditioning and fire extinguishing systems.

And thanks to their strength and flexibility, they are extremely popular in the food, agricultural, chemical and pharmaceutical industries; Unlike plastic, corrugated pipes do not lose their properties or diameter after being crushed.

About the popularity of pipes in housing construction should be described separately. Usually installation work in cramped city apartments are associated with certain difficulties - for example, communications are redone several times due to the fact that a couple of millimeters were missing. But thanks to their aesthetics and flexibility, corrugated pipes are quite easy to install, and no plastering or chiseling of walls is required. Therefore, the installation procedure is equally easy both in the kitchen and in the toilet. The only thing you need is a few wrenches.

Main advantages

Corrugated pipes have their own strengths and weak sides. Let's start with the good.

Flaws

But there are, of course, also disadvantages that must be taken into account when purchasing.

Pipes get dirty easily, but it is very difficult to clean them due to the large number of bends.
The corrugation has fairly thin walls and does not withstand large mechanical loads. As a result, if necessary, it is protected with a special casing.
Connection fittings require periodic inspection and maintenance. It is necessary to regularly change the seal and other plastic parts, monitor the tightness of connections, etc.
Due to their good heat transfer, stainless steel pipes cannot be used for heating without thermal insulation. Otherwise there will be significant heat loss.
There are a number chemical elements, to which “stainless steel” is susceptible, so you need to take care of additional protection.

Production

Concerning production technology, then it is quite complex and requires the use of high-precision equipment. And this can also be considered an advantage, since there are thousands of flows of counterfeit products in in this case excluded.

The corrugated pipe is made using high quality steel strip, which is converted into a pipe by an ingenious bending machine system. Next, this tube falls under the clamps and bends to a corrugated state. After this, the product is welded in a closed vessel filled with a special gas, which ensures high-quality seams and, in fact, all those properties for which the pipe is called stainless.

Upon completion of welding, the pipe is completely ready for use, so it can be sent to the consumer. But instead, another processing is carried out - firing - which has a positive effect on the quality of the product. The products are heated to a high temperature and quickly cooled, after which the plasticity of the metal (read: the number of bends/unbends) increases.

Note! It is visually impossible to distinguish a pipe subjected to heat treatment from a regular one, but the difference is noticeable in performance and, therefore, in cost.

Ends manufacturing process checking pipes for leaks. There is nothing complicated in checking: each product is immersed in water and air under pressure is passed through it; If there are no leaks, then everything is in order with the seal.

As a conclusion

According to statistics, installing a corrugated pipeline takes two to three times less time than if pipes made from other materials were used. For this reason, it is worth considering the possibility of using such products for other communication highways.

As you can see, such pipes are extremely convenient and practical, moreover, their installation takes little time and effort. That's all, good luck with your work and have a warm winter!

Stainless steel pipes used for the installation of water supply and heating systems have a number of advantages when compared with products made from conventional carbon steels. These advantages include durability (which can reach up to 400 years), as well as the hygiene of the material.

In addition, the internal diameter of pipes made of stainless steel does not decrease over time due to the accumulation of oxidation products on their internal walls (and, naturally, such products do not get into the water supplied through the pipes, which is especially important for domestic water supply). That is why stainless steel pipes are increasingly being replaced by products made from conventional carbon steels, which, due to active oxidation, can last no more than 10–15 years.

Advantages of stainless steel

The advantages of stainless steel pipes for heating and water supply are primarily due to the properties of the material from which they are made. This includes steel, chemical composition which contain at least 13% chromium. With a minimum chromium content, products made from it can be successfully used in environments that are mildly aggressive. If the quantitative content of this element bring to 17%, then the stainless steel successfully resists the effects of even a 50% solution nitric acid. That is why stainless steel alloy pipes are an ideal material for installing water supply and heating systems.

The surface of stainless steel pipes does not oxidize under the influence of acidic and alkaline solutions and ensures high hygienic characteristics of the water transported through them. These qualities, along with exceptional durability, make these products the best option for equipping enterprises operating in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

When choosing stainless steel pipes for arranging a water supply or heating system, you should take into account their high cost and higher installation costs. Meanwhile, such pipes will not have to be replaced after 10–15 years and should be carried out regularly Maintenance, which means that the costs will fully pay for themselves. It should also be taken into account that when using crimping technology, installation of stainless steel pipes takes a minimum amount of time.

In what cases can stainless steel pipes oxidize?

In some cases, even stainless steel pipes can be subject to corrosion. Rust spots on the inner walls of such pipes appear if water containing a significant amount of chlorine in its chemical composition is transported through them. If the composition of the water is normalized, the rusting process of the pipes will slow down, and they will retain their anti-corrosion properties.

A concentrated solution of chlorine, which is used to disinfect plumbing and other systems, can also cause corrosion of stainless steel pipes. In such cases, in order to eliminate the cause of corrosion, the pipes must be thoroughly washed after the procedure is completed.

Stainless steel in a “warm floor” system

Flexible stainless steel pipes

On modern market, in addition to ordinary stainless steel pipes, there are a wide variety of types. Thanks to the advantages of such pipes, which were invented at the end of the last century, they are increasingly being used to solve a wide variety of problems, both industrial and domestic.

Thus, pipes of this type are today successfully used for:

installation of water supply networks through which both cold and hot liquids are transported;
arrangement of a heating system such as a “warm floor”;
laying gas communications;
creating fire extinguishing systems that use water.

Stainless steel has a number of advantages, among which the following are worth highlighting.

Such products can be successfully operated in conditions characterized by even very low temperatures.
Flexible stainless steel pipes can withstand even significant water hammer in water supply and heating networks.
The high flexibility of such pipes, as well as their ability to accept any configuration, allows them to be used for installation of communications in hard to reach places and in rather cramped conditions.
With the help of special fittings, characterized by high strength and corrosion resistance, you can install corrugated pipes made of stainless steel quite quickly. At the same time, savings in labor costs when establishing gas or water supply can reach 80%. It is also important that laying communications from such pipes does not require special training of personnel.
The service life of a communication consisting of stainless pipes, is measured in more than one hundred years, and the fittings with which they are connected can last at least 30 years (this is especially true when organizing urban water supply and heating).
Corrugated pipes made of stainless steel are lightweight and compact in size (when assembled), which significantly reduces transportation costs.

Based on the listed advantages, we can conclude that flexible pipes made of stainless steel innovative solution, allowing not only high-quality installation of gas and water supply systems, but also significant savings on such a procedure.

Installation methods

When laying water supply or communications for other purposes using stainless steel pipes, several types of connections are possible, namely:

welded;
application connecting elements flange type;
crimping.

To connect using water supply and heating networks, you will need not only special equipment, but also a qualified specialist. Such a process is usually carried out, and the welding itself is performed in an inert gas environment. Most in a modern way Plasma welding, which allows high-quality joining of stainless pipes, also requires the use of special and expensive equipment.

In domestic conditions, it is not always possible to use welding, since for this you need not only to have special equipment at your disposal, but also to attract a qualified specialist to operate it. In this regard, in such cases, threadless flange or threaded fitting connections are used.

Flanges are essentially two ring-shaped elements connected to each other using studs or bolts. To achieve tightness when using flanges, use a special sealing element made of rubber or other soft polymer material. Parts such as flanges, which differ quite large sizes, are used primarily when pipeline elements need to be periodically dismantled and maintained, spending a minimum of time. The disadvantages of connections of this type are that they react rather poorly to temperature changes and pressure surges in the pipeline.

This article will introduce you to the main types of finned and corrugated pipes used in heating systems. It's hard to imagine the pipe leading to the battery as anything other than smooth and straight, isn't it? However, surprises await us.

Dictionary

Let's start with a casual introduction to different types exotic pipes. This is necessary to avoid confusion in the future. For our own convenience, we will roughly divide the pipes into categories according to the material from which they are made.

Cast iron

Here we can meet only one representative of the family. Finned heating pipes are massive pieces of cast iron that are hollow inside, on which coarse fins are cast to increase the heat transfer area. They are equipped with flanges for ease of installation and, as a rule, are assembled into registers of varying complexity and size.

It’s interesting: these pipes are used not only as heating devices, but also as heat exchangers that take excess heat from the furnace gases.

Black steel

A convector can be called a finned tube rather arbitrarily - the fins are not made at the same time as it. Transverse plates are pressed onto the finished pipe to increase heat transfer. Front heating device may be closed decorative screen; An adjustable damper can be located on top to increase or decrease heat transfer.

Stainless steel

Stainless steel corrugated pipe for heating is a material that appeared relatively recently. The small thickness of the walls provides flexibility, and the strength of stainless steel ensures a wide range of operating temperatures and pressures.

As an example, here are the parameters with which, according to the manufacturer, Korean corrugated heating pipes Kofulso can work:

Working pressure - 15 atmospheres.
The maximum permissible pressure is 50 atmospheres.
The destruction pressure is 210 atmospheres.
Operating temperature - from -50 to 110C.
The minimum bend radius is equal to the pipe diameter.

Plastic

Flexible corrugated plastic pipe for heating - it would seem nonsense. Plastic does not have high mechanical strength; The corrugated pipe is also thin-walled.

It's simple: the corrugation for heating pipes is not intended for transporting coolant, but for the external protection of polymer and metal-polymer pipes when they are laid in a screed or installed inside a wall.

In addition, a corrugated pipe for heating somewhat reduces unnecessary heat loss.

Attention: do not flatter yourself - it will not replace insulation. If you need to reduce heat loss to a minimum, it is worth protecting the pipes with polyurethane foam shells or at least polyethylene foam.

Corrugated stainless steel: installation method, advantages and disadvantages

If all other materials have been familiar to us for a long time, then we should focus on the corrugated stainless pipe just because of the relative novelty of the material.

Installation

How to install a heating system from it yourself?

In terms of design, the system does not have any special features and, in principle, is no different from a metal polymer with compression fittings. But the pipes are connected in a different way. For them, fittings without a fitting are used - the pipe is simply crimped on the outside with a gasket made of high-temperature silicone.

The instructions for assembling the connection are extremely simple:

Cut the pipe in place. It is better to use a special cutter. The price of this device is 700-900 rubles, which is not very much compared to the total cost of heating installation.
Insert its end into the fitting.
Tighten the nut on the fitting with gas or wrench. The gasket will tightly seal the pipe, making the connection airtight; corrugation will provide it with strength. Even a very strong person will not be able to tear out the liner section from the fitting.

Advantages

They are very convincing.

The strength and resistance of the material to pressure surges allows its use in systems central heating together with bimetallic radiators. In this case, the eyeliner will not become a weak link.
Stainless steel is chemically stable and does not form galvanic couples with aluminum or copper. If one of your neighbors is in common with you heating circuit used copper pipes or put aluminum radiators- none negative consequences It won't matter to you or them.
The ease of installation of a corrugated stainless steel heating pipe surpasses even the notorious metal-plastic with compression fittings. The tools you need are the simplest - a pair of adjustable or gas wrenches and a cutter, which in principle you can do without. Assembling one connection takes no more than a minute.
The material has an almost unlimited service life. What’s especially nice is that this period is not reduced when the design temperature of the coolant is exceeded.

Useful: the limit of 110C is quite arbitrary and is associated with the heat resistance of the sealing gaskets, as well as with the thermal expansion of the pipe and fitting. The temperature at which stainless steel noticeably loses strength begins at approximately 800 degrees.

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Flexible, hot, shiny: stainless steel pipes for heating

In this article I want to introduce the reader to a relatively new material - corrugated stainless pipe. We will study it key features, let's get acquainted with several samples from different manufacturers, compare corrugated stainless steel with competing solutions and study the rules for its installation.

What it is

A stainless steel corrugated pipe for heating is a thin (with a wall thickness of 0.3 mm) corrugation made of of stainless steel, obtained by folding an endless tape. Here is a typical metal composition:

Some grades of steel used in the production of corrugated pipes contain up to 30% molybdenum. It increases the toughness and strength of the metal.

For installation of pipes they are used compression fittings with high temperature silicone seals. When the union nut is tightened, the silicone ring compresses the corrugated pipe, eliminating spontaneous disconnection of the connection.

For installation in cold water supply systems, pipes are supplied with an outer polyethylene sheath. Polyethylene has a relatively low thermal conductivity and helps get rid of condensation. The same pipes can be used for heating: the shell will prevent possible burns when high temperature coolant(for example, when installing a radiator in a children's room).