Can PPR pipe work more than 50 years？

In modern construction, PPR (random copolymer polypropylene) water supply pipes are favoured for their excellent performance and wide range of applications. How are quality PPR pipes manufactured?

Production process of high quality PPR pipes

1. Material Preparation

The main raw material of PPR pipe is random copolymer polypropylene, which is a kind of polymer material synthesised through a special polymerisation process. This material has good heat resistance, impact resistance and chemical stability. In order to ensure the quality of PPR pipes, the choice of raw material is crucial. Usually, manufacturers use high-quality polypropylene granules that have undergone strict testing and certification as the base material.

2. Extrusion

Extrusion moulding is the core of PPR pipe production. In this process, polypropylene granules are heated to a molten state and then uniformly extruded into a tube by a screw extruder. This process requires a high degree of precision and stability to ensure that the pipe has a uniform wall thickness, a smooth surface and is free from air bubbles or impurities.

l Temperature control: The temperature control of the extruder is very critical, too high or too low will affect the quality of the pipe. Generally, the temperature of the extruder is set between 200℃ and 230℃.

l Mould design: The design of the mould directly affects the dimensional accuracy and appearance quality of the pipe. Advanced mould design can ensure that the inner and outer diameters of the pipe are precisely the same, reducing deformation and defects.

3. Cooling and shaping

After extrusion moulding, PPR pipes need to be cooled quickly to fix the shape. The cooling method is usually a combination of water cooling or air cooling. Water cooling allows the pipe to cool down quickly, preventing deformation caused by high temperature; air cooling helps to further stabilise the shape of the pipe and eliminate internal stress.

4. Quality Inspection

In the production process, each link needs to be strictly quality testing. Common inspection items include:

5. Packaging and labelling

Qualified PPR pipes will be cut into standard lengths and packaged after completing all production processes. Packaging materials should be moisture-proof and dust-proof to protect the pipes from damage during transport and storage. In addition, each pipe should be clearly marked on the product model, specifications, production date and other information to facilitate user identification and use.

The service life of PPR pipe analysis

On the question of whether the PPR pipe can be used for more than 50 years, we need to consider from a variety of perspectives.

1. Material properties

PPR pipe raw material – random copolymer polypropylene, is a high-performance plastic materials. It has the following advantages:

Strong corrosion resistance: PPR material has excellent corrosion resistance to most acid, alkali and salt solutions, and can be used for a long time in a variety of water conditions.

Good temperature resistance: PPR pipe can be used normally in the temperature range of -20 ° C to 95 ° C, short-term and even withstand high temperatures of up to 110 ° C, suitable for hot water supply system.

Good aging resistance: PPR material itself has good anti-oxidation ability, not easy to age in the normal environment, which provides a guarantee for its long-term use.

2. Installation quality

Although the PPR pipe itself has a long service life, but the actual use of the performance is also affected by the quality of installation. Correct installation methods include:

Heat fusion connection: PPR pipe is usually connected by heat fusion welding technology, this method can make the interface solid and reliable, to avoid water leakage problems. It should be noted that the heat fusion temperature must be controlled within a reasonable range (usually about 260 ℃), too high or too low will affect the welding effect.

Avoid external damage: the installation process should try to avoid scratches or knocks on the pipe, so as not to affect its strength and sealing.

3. Use of the environment

The service life of PPR pipe is also closely related to the environmental conditions in which it is located. The following factors may affect the actual life of PPR pipe:

Water conditions: If the water contains a lot of minerals or other impurities, it may accelerate the aging rate of the pipe. Therefore, it is recommended to clean the pipes regularly or install filtration devices.

External pressure: When buried and laid, care should be taken to avoid heavy objects being pressed directly on top of the pipe to prevent it from rupturing due to external forces.

Temperature changes: Frequent temperature fluctuations will produce certain stresses on PPR pipes, and long-term accumulation may lead to material fatigue. Therefore, in extreme climatic conditions, appropriate thermal insulation measures should be taken.

4. Actual cases and research data

According to a number of laboratory tests and practical application cases, PPR pipes can indeed achieve a service life of more than 50 years under normal conditions of use. For example, some European countries since the 1980s since the beginning of large-scale use of PPR pipe, so far there has been no large-scale failure of the situation. In addition, there are many domestic construction projects using PPR pipe for more than 20 years, still in good condition.

A high-quality PPR pipe not only depends on advanced production technology and strict quality control, but also needs to be combined with the correct installation methods and appropriate use of the environment. This ensures that PPR pipes can really achieve a service life of up to 50 years or even longer.

Supplier

Luoyang Datang Energy Tech Co., Ltd. is a professional manufacturer and supplier of pipes and fittings. We offer PPR pipes, PVC pipes, PE pipes, and floor heating pipes and fittings for all types of pipes, with high quality and competitive prices. If you have any inquiries about pipes and fittings, please do not hesitate to contact us. You can click on the product to get in touch with us.