What can be cooked from squid: quick and tasty

Corrugated pipes for heating are a novelty on the market. They were invented in Japan, then they moved to Europe, and now they are conquering our market: the combination of the properties of stainless steel and the flexibility of the corrugation turned out to be very successful, and even the installation is very easy. Moreover, they can be used completely for wiring the system and only build in small sections: the piping to the boiler, radiators and other elements of the system (replace a leaky piece, for example).

Advantages and disadvantages

This kind of materials is becoming more and more popular. And all because many problems are solved at once:

There are many advantages. And they are all weighty. Now let's move on to the disadvantages:

As you can see, there are drawbacks, but they have ways of eliminating or leveling, and they don't look so scary.

How to make a stainless steel corrugated pipe

The raw material is a metal strip made of of stainless steel SUS (AISI) 304. This strip is fed into the forming machines from which the cylindrical workpiece emerges. Further, it is welded automatically in an environment of special gases, which prevent the burning out of alloying metals (it is they who give the "stainless" properties of steel, and when welding in an oxygen-containing environment, they evaporate, which is why the seams collapse in several years, and maybe months, depending on the conditions operation and transported environment).

The resulting pipe can be used and is called unannealed because the next stage is annealing. In this case, the corrugation is heated to high temperatures and then cooled. It turns out an annealed corrugated stainless steel pipe. It has the best strength characteristics (it holds its shape better, the metal becomes more plastic, bends / unbends a large number of times without deformation and destruction), but it also costs more. Outwardly, there are no differences, but when unannealed products are bent, distortions may appear, but this does not happen with annealed products. It is impossible to distinguish them in appearance, but the lack of marking on the pipes is also upsetting, and how, in fact, you can put inscriptions on a "wavy" surface. Covers for coils are marked, but they are easy to replace, and the difference in price is quite decent. So, in this case, you can only hope for the decency of the seller (well, try to bend it several times and see what will come of it and, on this basis, determine the type of product).

In this video, a section of a corrugated pipe is pressure tested. Impressive.

Manufacturers and what to look for when buying

There are most of all Korean companies in our market:

KOFULSO ("Kofulso") - according to experts best quality, since the first appeared on the market and has a fairly large production experience. Its thickness of the sealing rings in the fittings is two times greater, the weight of fittings and coils of pipes of the same name is greater. So the increased cost (compared to Hydrosta and Lavita) is justified.
Lavita ("Lavita") - shows itself quite well, but there may be problems in the fittings - sometimes when tightening the metal ring cuts through the wall (may be due to an error during installation - tightening the pressure ring), which causes leaks (per 100 fittings 1-2) - is cheaper than Cofulso.
Hydrosta ("Gidrosta" or "Khidrosta") - in the same price category as Lavita, but there are complaints about leakage of fittings: for 100 installed 5-7 pcs.
Neptun ("Neptune") - characteristics and reviews could not be found;
Meibes (Meibas) - there are no complaints about the quality, but for the price there is - very expensive with approximately equal parameters with those given above in the list.

Reliability data was taken from the installer's message on the forum, this is the result of several years of use: at first we worked with Cofulso, then switched to cheaper Lavita and Hirostat, after replacing fittings and, accordingly, customer complaints, weighed, looked, and returned to KOFULSO.

What pleases the stainless corrugated pipe is that there are no fakes yet. Maybe because a lot of equipment is required, and the technology is quite complex. Or maybe because the market is just developing, and there is still no great demand for such products.

The video shows the production process of corrugated stainless steel pipe.

To calculate the volume of the heating system, you may need information on the amount of water contained in a running meter of a corrugated pipe:

15 mm - 0.219 l;
20 mm - 0.447 l;
25 mm - 71 l;
32 mm - 0.982 HP

And about the area of a running meter of the corrugation of the corresponding diameter:

15 mm - 0.064652 m 2;
20 mm - 0.095004 m 2;
25 mm - 0.121394 m 2;
32 mm - 0.15218 m 2.

What to look for when buying: first - the step of the corrugation should be the same, the seam should be even and intact, there should be no chips, cracks or other damage. You can bend / unbend several times - there should be no deformations or other consequences. When buying fittings, pay attention also to appearance and completeness, pay special attention to the condition and quality of the seal rings. The range of fittings is almost standard: all conceivable options exist in nature, but whether they will be at each specific outlet is a question.

Installation of stainless corrugated pipes for heating

In addition to very good performance characteristics, this material is attracted by the quick and easy assembly of pipelines. You only need fittings and a wrench. All heating devices are connected with their help. Choose the required type (corner, tee, cross, etc.) and proceed to the connection:

Similarly, there is a transition from a regular pipe to a corrugation: first, attach the corresponding fitting to the riser or branch, and then insert a corrugated stainless steel into its other end and tighten the ring. And no special adapters are needed.

The only thing to consider when installing corrugated stainless steel is that it is still flexible. Therefore, install fasteners more often than when laying the usual shape of pipes. This will have little effect on the cost - one retainer costs ten or two rubles, depending on the company, and even if you install them twice as often, the maximum that threatens you is an overrun of 200-300 rubles with an average length of the heating line.

Corrugated stainless steel appeared only a few years ago. Therefore, the entire operating experience is calculated over several years. The maximum that was found on the forums is 7 years. Typically, there are no negative reviews - there are no reviews of those who have installed such pipes. There is a lot of negativity from specialists who put on other products from other materials, but they are all theoretical and speculative. Some are more like the truth, others less. The most plausible drawback is greater resistance to water flow than smooth-walled ones. Although none of those who set themselves flexible pipes for heating from stainless steel, did not note the need for more powerful circulation pumps... For many, such a system works with wall gas boilers... Moreover, underfloor heating and conventional wiring are used.

There is a message from the owner of an apartment in Moscow: he shares his impressions of the installation - just a year and a half ago he changed the wiring: the flight is normal, there are no problems. He also cites the words of installers, whom he defined as competent specialists (according to the criteria: speed of work + skills). So, they said that they have been assembling corrugated stainless steel hoses for 8 years (the message is 1.5 years), there were no problems / calls for repairs. When choosing between Kofulso and Lavita, they recommend Cofulso - the quality is better.

There are some recommendations (experience of use) for "high-temperature" use at an environment above 110 o C. It is advised periodically, about once a year, to check the condition of the gaskets. After a specified period of time, they "become stiff". In order to avoid leaks, it is recommended to change (they cost a few rubles), the replacement itself for a couple of minutes - to unwind, assess the condition and, if necessary, put another one - tighten it. They only recommend not to overdo it when tightening - if you use a key, then absolutely without fanaticism - high-quality fittings hold well and twisted by hand, but with pinched gaskets they lose elasticity much faster.

There is an experience of using such a stainless corrugation in a floor screed in a bath: two contours (30 m and 15 m). One of the braided pipe (recommended to eliminate problems with the reaction of metal to concrete) and one without - in its pure form. There are no problems - they are 5 years old. Considering the conditions in the bath: very high humidity and high temperature, periodic freezing / thawing, then corrugated pipes for laying heating in the floor in an ordinary apartment / house can definitely be used, because the conditions are much better than in a bath.

Another owner of a warm floor made of a stainless corrugated pipe advises to do it according to the principle - one coil - one circuit and not to close the fittings tightly, but to put combs. He used an unannealed pipe, which he tied to the grate (photo).

There is another warm floor of 20 mm corrugation with a pitch of 20 cm. It is also operated without problems.

The situation is similar with the piping from the Kofulso pipe and Lavita fittings in the boiler room - there were no accidents or leaks for two years of operation (the fittings were taken from another company due to the fact that they contain metal gaskets, which seemed to the owner to be more reliable than polymer ones).

Some of them even make radiators. This is how it looks (see photo). They say that it heats well, because the heat transfer area is large. But it will be problematic to wash such a radiator, but as a way out - the device of a protective decorative screen.

Outcomes

Judging by the reviews, the picture is even too rosy: no one complains. This is even a little alarming. But maybe just not so much time has passed: they began to actively install a corrugated stainless steel pipe for heating just a few years ago and the "sides" have not yet come out. Although, if there were serious problems, they would have already manifested themselves, and negative messages would definitely appear: a person is more inclined to describe what he does not like the product than to write about trouble-free operation.

Everyone decides for himself whether or not to install a stainless steel corrugation for heating, but everything looks quite attractive: both prices, characteristics and ease of installation. Even the reviews are encouraging.

In the last decade, a new trend has emerged - to use corrugated stainless steel pipes in heating systems. They have high strength, flexibility, easy installation, because they combine the strength of metal and the flexibility of the corrugation.

Unlike corrugated plastic pipes, they easily withstand high thermal loads and therefore they are increasingly used to install heating wiring in whole or only in small sections of the system, for example, where the pipe is connected to radiators or a boiler.

Standard corrugated pipes are made with a diameter of 15, 20, 25, 32 mm. If necessary, manufacturers can increase the diameter by agreement with customers.

Working t for corrugated pipes - from - 50 ° С to + 800 ° С, while the corrugation remains flexible even at - 40 ° С, and the maximum temperature is + 800 ° С - but there are no such loads in any heating system, although short-term a jump up to +150 ° С is quite acceptable.

The maximum pressure of the medium for corrugated pipes is 50 atmospheres, in practice, however, they tolerate surges up to 200 atmospheres, although when used under pressure up to 210 atm. will inevitably collapse, since they are designed for a working pressure of 15 at.

The corrugation has a low roughness coefficient and is impermeable to oxygen.

Subject to the rules of operation of corrugated pipes for heating, the manufacturer gives a guarantee for a period of 20 years, during which the pipes will function without damage.

It is too early to say how long they can serve in practice, in Russia corrugated pipes have appeared recently and no one has used them for so long.

Note! The corrugation is bent at any angle, but according to the standards, the limiting value of the bend should not exceed the value of the pipe diameter by more than three times.

Production of corrugated stainless steel pipes

The corrugated pipe for heating systems was invented in Japan. But more of this type of pipe products are made today in South Korea.

Warmth and comfort are the main criteria for a comfortable home. Heating systems play the main role in home improvement, providing heating of the room and suitable temperature regime... The choice of pipes for heating must be approached with all care, the efficiency of the entire system and the service life of the structure depend on them. First of all, heating pipes must ensure the tightness of the system, its strength and durability. High-quality steel, from which corrugated pipes for heating are made, provides anti-corrosion protection, as well as the reliability of both autonomous and centralized water supply systems.

Corrugated stainless pipes for heating

GC "Flexor" offers a reliable solution to the issues of organizing pipelines for hot water heating systems in any premises - these are flexible corrugated pipes made of stainless steel SUS304 and brass fittings for them.

With the help of corrugated stainless pipes and fittings, you can carry out:

Connecting heating radiators

Replacing the heating risers in the premises

Installation of pipelines from main and local (heating boilers) heat carrier sources directly to residential and non-residential heated premises.

As an additional active element of the heating system (heat exchanger or analogue of a heating radiator)

Advantages of using flexible corrugated pipes in heating systems:

1. Resistance to corrosion and silting:

the material from which the pipes are made (stainless steel SUS304) and the nature of its processing (polished steel tape) allows the use of flexible corrugated pipes in heating systems, where it is used as a heat carrier as industrial water and other combined heat transfer fluids.

2. Resistance to high temperatures:

The maximum operating temperature of pipelines made of flexible corrugated stainless steel pipes (with connecting elements - fittings for corrugated stainless pipes) is up to + 150 ° C, which allows not only using them as the main pipelines of the heating system, but also at the points of connection to main sources or distribution nodes of access to the coolant with an increased temperature regime.

3. Resistance to defrosting:

Perhaps the most important advantage of flexible corrugated stainless steel pipes, which are used as piping for heating systems, is the unique resistance to "defrosting" of the heating system.

Unlike all other types of pipes used in the installation of heating systems (copper, steel, metal-plastic, polypropylene) flexible corrugated stainless pipes during "defrosting" (freezing of the coolant in the heating system) do not collapse or fail, but completely retain their operational quality, and after warming up or replacing the coolant in the system, they are ready for further full use.

This phenomenal quality is achieved through the corrugated structure of the pipe. In the event of freezing and as a result of expansion of the coolant, the pipe immediately compensates for the linear expansion of the pipeline, preventing excessive pressure on the pipe walls and at the pipe-fitting-heater connections, thereby preserving the integrity and functionality of the entire defrosted pipeline system.

4. Resistance to water hammer:

All the same corrugated structure of pipes for heating from GK Flexor guarantees the integrity of pipelines in heating systems residential apartments, administrative, retail and technical premises during the periods of routine maintenance on pre-season preparation for pressure testing of heating systems or at the time of the occurrence of destructive water hammer.

Pipelines made of corrugated stainless steel pipes and brass fittings to them withstand excess pressure in the system up to 60 Atm., At a working pressure of 15 Atm. for pipes with a diameter of 12 mm, 15 mm, 18 mm, 12 atm. for a pipe with a diameter of 20 mm and 10 atm. for pipes with a diameter of 25 mm and 32 mm.

5. Does not require subsequent preventive maintenance:

Pipelines for heating systems made using corrugated stainless pipes do not require any pre-seasonal or off-season preventive maintenance in the form of tightening union nuts of fittings or flushing the pipeline system.

The service life of the stainless steel pipeline is not limited.

The service life of silicone gaskets in fittings is up to 30 years.

6. Ease of installation:

For the production of all types of work on the installation of pipelines of heating systems and connection of heating devices, special skills and the use of costly installation methods (welding, using hydraulic or electrical tools). All work is carried out only with the use of two open-ended or adjustable wrenches. The lightness of the material and convenient packaging allow the manufacture of individual sections of the pipeline directly at the installation site, while ensuring 100% accuracy of the required dimensions and, accordingly, 100% material savings.

7. Cost savings:

The unique properties of corrugated pipes - flexibility, low weight, convenient packaging, ease of installation - together, they allow to comprehensively save up to 30% of logistics and labor costs for organizing pipelines for heating systems in comparison with the organization of such pipelines from other types of pipes (polypropylene, metal-plastic, copper, etc. etc.).

However, the main source of savings when using corrugated stainless steel pipes in heating systems is the most favorable price in comparison with analogues offered by Flexor Group of Companies. listed on the website for 1 meter.

10376 0 4

Flexible, hot, shiny: stainless steel pipes for heating

In this article, I want to acquaint the reader with a relatively new material - corrugated stainless pipe. We will study its key features, 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

Corrugated stainless steel pipe for heating is a thin (with a wall thickness of 0.3 mm) stainless steel corrugation obtained by rolling an endless tape. Here is the typical composition of the metal:

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

For the installation of pipes are used compression fittings with high temperature silicone seals... When tightening the union nut, 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 to 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).

This article will introduce you to the main types of ribbed and corrugated pipes used in heating systems. It is difficult to imagine a pipe leading to a battery in any other way than smooth and straight, isn't it? However, surprises await us.

Vocabulary

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

Cast iron

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

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

Black steel

The convector can be called a finned tube rather conditionally - the finning is not made at the same time with it. Cross plates are pressed onto the finished pipe to increase heat transfer. From the front, the heater can be covered with a decorative screen; an adjustable damper can be located on top to increase or decrease heat transfer.

Stainless steel

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

As an example, we will give the parameters with which, according to the manufacturer's assurances, Korean corrugated pipes for Kofulso heating can work:

Working pressure - 15 atmospheres.
The maximum allowable pressure is 50 atmospheres.
The destruction pressure is 210 atmospheres.
Working 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 the coolant, but for external protection of polymer and metal-polymer pipes when they are laid in a screed or in-wall installation.

In addition, a corrugated pipe for heating somewhat reduces inappropriate 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 a polyurethane foam shell or at least with expanded polyethylene.

Corrugated stainless steel: installation method, advantages and disadvantages

If all other materials have been familiar to us for a long time, then it is worth stopping our attention on a corrugated stainless pipe because of the relative novelty of the material.

Mounting

How to mount from it heating system with your own hands?

In terms of design, the system does not have any peculiarities and, in principle, does not differ in any way from a metal polymer with compression fittings. But the pipes are connected in a different way. Fittings without a union are used for them - the pipe is simply crimped from the outside with a high-temperature silicone gasket.

The assembly instructions for the connection are extremely simple:

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

Dignity

They are quite convincing.

The strength and resistance of the material to pressure surges allows it to be used 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 pairs with aluminum or copper. If one of the neighbors in the common heating circuit with you used copper pipes or installed aluminum radiators, this will not have any negative consequences either for you or for them.
With ease of installation, a corrugated stainless steel pipe for heating surpasses even the notorious metal-plastic with compression fittings. The simplest tools are needed - a pair of adjustable or gas wrenches and a cutter, which, in principle, can be dispensed with. Assembling one connection takes less than a minute.
The material has an almost unlimited service life. What is especially pleasant is that this period does not decrease when the design temperature of the coolant is exceeded.

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