Corrugated stainless pipes: features of operation and installation rules

Work on the improvement of building materials and products is carried out continuously. Improving the quality, and as a result, durability, especially important for pipes. Due to such work, corrugated stainless pipe is very popular due to its specific qualities.

Strong and high-quality pipes are necessary for arranging gas and water supply systems. Products must be distinguished by a long operational period, as well as resistance to various factors damaging the material.An important characteristic is also the specifics of installation, connection and fastening.

The main distinguishing characteristics of steel products of this type is flexibility in combination with high strength. Such positive features are inherent in all corrugated steel pipes, regardless of size, weight and diameter of products. Due to these properties, the installation of communications is greatly simplified, and the operational life of the product is also extended.

The production of stainless steel corrugated pipes began in Japan. Assessing the benefits of such products, the production of similar goods began to be engaged throughout the world. Leading positions in the list of manufacturers today occupy South Korean companies. For the manufacture of pipes according to GOST, high-quality stainless steel is used, regardless of the type of product.Some products undergo additional heat treatment, due to which the product becomes softer, which means that the annealed pipe will be better bent.

Such products are in demand for arranging sections of the route that are complex in configuration, where there are various twists and turns. However, the products have a high cost, due to which, when laying direct pipelines, its use will be irrational. For such works, an unannealed corrugated pipe is used, the difference in price for these products, in comparison with annealed, will be noticeable, especially when arranging systems with a large extent.

Based on the design features, a corrugated metal pipe is a structure that, due to the cross section of a different size, has the ability to bend without the risk of loss of integrity. Raw materials for manufacturing are selected on the basis of certain proportions of alloying components, among which it is worth to distinguish carbon, chromium and nickel. This composition provides products with unique corrosion resistance properties.

Manufacturing technology of flexible pipes is as follows:

1. The tape from a stainless steel forms in a pipe.
2. The resulting product is welded to the special equipment at a temperature of about 1150 ° C.
3. Quality control of the formed seam. Monitoring is carried out by applying pressure to the product in a liquid medium.
4. Giving the product a corrugated appearance is carried out when the billet is subjected to a different-sized shaft.
5. To increase the flexibility of the pipe, it must be heat treated.
6. Finished products using a special tool must be cut into fragments of the desired length.
7. The last stage of their roll in the bay for further transportation.

Corrugated stainless pipes can be classified on the basis of reliability and the level of recommended load. Taking into account the reliability of the corrugated pipe, it is worth noting that they come in different degrees of strength:

• Single layerinherent in minimum weight and maximum flexibility.Such products are recommended for laying plumbing, for use as a shell for gas supply and various electrical wiring.
• Double Layer pipes have additional reinforcement. This configuration allows the use of products in areas where there is a risk of damage to communications. The specificity of the products, resistance to aggressive chemical environments and mechanical stress, allow to operate the pipes while arranging high-pressure water sewage, where high water-carrying capacity of pipes is required.

Based on the resistance to stress, the products can be divided into the following groups:

• Lightweight tubes. Such products are recommended for installation in external structures, since they do not have a high resistance to stress.
• Corrugated heavy tubes - products are allowed for underground installation, for example, for water supply. Pipes differ in an average indicator of stability.
• Heavyweight Pipe - their use is possible in systems with a high level of load on products.

Corrugated stainless pipes are characterized by a number of positive andnegative qualities. Among the main advantages of products, it is necessary to highlight several properties of the product.

• Durability of products. Based on customer feedback and product information provided by manufacturers, stainless steel corrugated pipes can be successfully operated for a long time. Products have a high level of resistance to wear, so over time, the products do not lose their qualities, because the size of the flow area of ​​the pipe remains unchanged, there are no microcracks in it, even in places of maximum mechanical load.
• Resistance to the formation of deposits on the inner walls. Various neoplasms do not accumulate on stainless steel, due to which the water supply system made of such products will not require a set of cleaning measures.

• Flexibility. This quality is due to the corrugated tube design. Products retain all their parameters and shape after repeated exposure to negative and positive temperatures, which is important when arranging heating systems or chimneys.Due to their flexibility, they are resistant to hydraulic shocks, numerous stretching and compression.
• Reliability. Features of the raw materials eliminate the need for regular maintenance, which, from an economic point of view, is very advantageous in comparison, for example, with conventional plumbing pipes made of plastic. Spiral-wrought products are allowed to be mounted inside plasterboard bases; there will be no need to dismantle and cut walls for various repairs with pipes.
• Convenient transportation and storage of products. Corrugated products have a minimum weight and occupy little space in the bay. Such features make it possible to put them on pallets and to save the usable floor space as much as possible.

The release of products occurs in bays of 50 meters. By individual order, the length may be more or less. And a few more pluses:

• Stainless steel is corrosion resistant.
• The temperature range of use of products ranges from -50 C to +110 C.
• The level of maximum pressure on the material - 50 bar.
• Simple installation of corrugated pipes allows you to easily connect them to coils, heating devices or other parts of the pipeline.
• Low noise level.
• Low cost, in comparison, for example, with copper products.

For an objective assessment of corrugated stainless steel pipes, some drawbacks of the products should be noted. These include the following nuances:

• Unattractive appearance of pipes.
• Fittings used to connect helical pipes need maintenance and replacement. Therefore, the communication system should be regularly checked for depressurization and other problems.
• It is difficult to care for the corrugated pipes, since the dirt that accumulates in the gaps between the spirals is not always possible to be cleaned with a single rag, for such purposes protective screens or ducts are equipped for pipes.
• The high level of heat transfer by 1 meter, due to which the moving medium in non-insulated areas loses its heat engineering properties. This problem is solved using a heat insulator, such as a heat exchanger, which shelter stainless steel pipes.

Due to the low cost and a large number of positive features,Corrugated stainless steel pipes are used everywhere. But they are most in demand in construction.

WITH With the help of such products you can install communications for various purposes., for example, plumbing, electrical wiring, use pipes for gas pipeline pulling, in the system of underfloor heating, solid products are used in the installation of structures for air-conditioning equipment, as well as security systems. Previously, to service such objects and devices, it was necessary to dismantle the walls, however, the use of corrugated products for projects on lengthening tracks or other restoration works, the need for serious dismantling procedures was already excluded.

Often corrugated pipes are used for arrangement of ventilation systems and chimney, as well as heating. Due to what, it is possible to say with confidence that the products are in demand in the housing and communal services. Corrugated tubes are used for the reconstruction and replacement of old engineering networks.

Among the extensive list of advantages of corrugated stainless steel pipes, it is worth highlighting the fact that the products can not be faked by issuing low-quality goods for durable and durable products. This is explained by the specifics of the production of goods, during which expensive equipment is used, and also by the fact that the market for such products is just beginning to expand.

On sale you can find products with a diameter of 15 mm, 32 mm, 50 mm. First of all, it is necessary to take into account the step of the corrugations - it should be the same during installation, and the seam should be even. The material should not contain any defects, including chipping and cracking.

The important point is the selection of components, the seal rings on the fastening elements must be of high quality, otherwise in a short time it will be necessary to replace the connecting element. As a rule, all fittings for corrugated stainless pipes are made in standard size.

It is also worth considering that corrugated pipes are made by companies from Korea, but fittings for corrugated pipes produced in this region cannot be found on the market.because their South Korean companies do not release. But the production of elements for connecting corrugated stainless pipes is done by other manufacturers, and the products do not have any complaints about the quality or incompatibility with pipes produced in Korea.

The connection of the corrugated pipe when working on the arrangement of pipelines for different purposes, is carried out with the help of fittings, which are made, as a rule, of brass. The configuration and dimensions of the elements presented by the manufacturers of components, allow you to choose a device for any type of installation work, regardless of the complexity and configuration of communication systems.

The use of flange fittings makes it possible to connect not only corrugated pipes with each other, but also to fix them with products made of plastic, metal-plastic or other type of raw materials.

The technology of connecting pipes using fittings is performed according to one scheme, regardless of the component manufacturer and the corrugated pipe itself. The configuration of the connecting element also remains unchanged - the fitting consists of the following parts:

• body and cap nut;
• metal or plastic ring;
• silicone gasket.

When attaching pipes of corrugated type using a fitting, it is necessary to insert the end of the pipe into the body of the element. Inside, it is crimped with a nut and a gasket, due to which a hermetic connection of products is formed. The ring acts as a part, which will exclude the separation of products under the influence of loads of different nature, which can flare the pipe.

However, it is worth to highlight a few features that will help avoid errors. For example, to get the required length of the corrugated steel pipe, you need a pipe cutter to cut in a strictly perpendicular position. This technology will avoid the formation of various irregularities on the edges of the products, which will adversely affect the mounting and installation. Before you start working with the fitting, you need to check its complete set, and then insert the product into it.

You will learn more about how the pipe is installed in the next video.