Whether you’re putting in a new compressed gas or air installation, or upgrading an existing one, composite piping is the most economical when it comes to both time and money. It’s also the best option for your system’s longevity. Why? First, let’s look at what can go wrong with metal piping.
Metallic compressed air systems easily succumb to corrosion and leakage at pipe joints and fitting connections. Often these leaks are only pinhole size, making them nearly impossible to detect in daily operation. The resulting leakage creates a loss in pressure, which puts higher demand on compressors and causes excessive wear and tear and energy consumption. Metallic piping systems also require more joints, and are more susceptible to scaling and pitting from the material and thus more points of failure. The bottom line: Metal piping costs too much money and time.
The ultimate problem-solver: composite pipe
Duratec Airline composite piping has a number of innovative benefits that should appeal to a range of industries. Inner and outer layers of PE-RT (Polyethylene of Raised Temperature) sandwich an aluminum core for rigidity. The inner PE-RT layer is suitable for inert gases, commonly used compressor oils, welding applications and carbonated beverages, making it a sure bet for nitrogen, CO2 and argon C25. The rigid aluminum layer means you can easily bend it to shape by hand and the pipe maintains its shape (no sagging!).
The smooth interior results in much fewer pressure drops and higher flow rates, making smaller pipe diameters great options in some applications. It’s also 75% lighter than copper and SCH 40 carbon steel piping.
Available in 100- or 300-foot coils, Duratec Airline piping meets stringent industry requirements: ANSI / ASTM F1282, CSA B127.9, FDA compliant, and is certified to OSHA safety regulations.
It’s also extremely easy to install, with a quick 4-step process:
- Cut the pipe as square as possible using pipe cutters
- Slide the nut and split ring over the pipe, then bevel the inside of the pipe with a rotating beveling tool
- Push the fitting onto the pipe
- Turn the nut finger-tight, followed by one full turn with a wrench, and you’re done!
You can zip-tie the piping to a unistrut or another pipe and work down the line for the install. Because of the long coil lengths available, much fewer fittings are needed, making for a much tighter shop. Additionally, all joints have double o-ring seals for quick assembly or disassembly, so no threading is required, making on-site modifications and repairs extremely easy.
Key Features:
- Available in ½”, ¾” and 1” diameters
- Operating pressures 200 PSI at 73F, 160 PSI at 140F
- Intended for inert/welding gas and compressed air, CO2 delivery, Oxygen service
- Flexible, yet rigid for layouts with obstructions and corners
- Long, continuous piping lengths
- In-wall or on-wall installation
- Can be buried in the ground or in concrete
- 100- and 300-foot coils
- Burst pressure 700 PSI
- Temperature range -40F to 140F
- Compatible with common compressor oils
- No expensive tools required