VALTEC metal-plastic pipes (metal-polymer)

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• About the design of metal-plastic pipes
• Linear dimensions of metal-plastic risers
• A lot about the pros and little about the cons
• Where it can and cannot be used
• About technical specifications
• A little about pex al pex valtec metal-polymer pipes
• How to decipher the markings
• For Valtec metal-polymer pipes – Valtec fittings
• Video

Reading consumer reviews, we can say with confidence that one of the most popular elements of engineering communications are Valtec metal-plastic pipes, the popularity of which is unnecessary to talk about.

The famous Italian company Valtec has been producing engineered plumbing fixtures for more than 15 years. Its products are well known in the CIS countries, whose markets supply a wide range of goods for use in the construction industry.

Quite a lot of space in the assortment of a well-known manufacturer is occupied by pipeline products, as well as fittings for them and related products used in laying pipelines.

About the design of metal-plastic pipes

Thanks to the inner layer of polyethylene, which acts as a base, metal-plastic risers become strong and reliable. To prevent air from leaking inside the pipe, aluminum foil is attached to the polyethylene, which also acts as a stabilizer for the product. A laser is used to weld the edges of the foil.

The outside of the product is covered with another layer of white polyethylene, which plays not only a protective, but also a decorative role. This unique structure significantly extends the life of metal-plastic (metal-polymer) pipes.

Each layer of Valtec metal-plastic pipe has its own purpose.

The inner layer of cross-linked polyethylene gives the surface inside the pipe ideal smoothness, which completely eliminates the possibility of the formation of scale or other unnecessary deposits.

The aluminum layer on both sides is reliably protected by polymer layers, which prevents the formation of galvanic pairs from steel and brass pipeline parts. In addition, these 2 layers help reduce the thermal conductivity of the products, which is a definite plus.

Features of the material of manufacture

Valtec metal-polymer pipe consists of granulated polyethylene, which is located in the outer and inner layers. The middle layer consists of aluminum foil of increased ductility. This property was achieved through vacuum burning of iron-containing impurities. The purity of aluminum in pipes reaches 99.4% with a safety margin of 55 N/mm 2.

For gluing layers of polyethylene and aluminum, a specially developed adhesive with a strength rating of 70 N/10 mm is used.

Products may vary in diameter. The 16 mm pipe is in greatest demand.

Linear dimensions of metal-plastic risers

Modern industry produces Valtec metal-plastic pipes of various diameters, ranging from 16 mm to 63 mm. Valtec metal-plastic pipes with diameters of 20 mm and 16 mm are considered the most popular.

Along with these products, a metal-plastic pipe 26 valtec is used, which, like analogues of smaller diameters, is used for the installation of water supply systems and heating systems.

For example, the main wiring can be made from pipes with a diameter of 20 mm, after which 16 mm pipes are connected to the faucets of the washbasin, kitchen, bathroom or toilet.

Extensive wiring in large buildings is formed from risers 32, 40 and even 63 mm in diameter. Although, according to many users, there is not much difference between 16 and 20 mm products.

Important! The price of fittings for Valtec 16 mm metal-plastic pipes is significantly less than similar connections with a diameter of 20 mm.

Considering this fact and in the presence of normal pressure in the line, it is possible to use 16 mm risers with the same fittings without causing the slightest damage to the system. As numerous reviews indicate, among all standard sizes of metal-polymer pipes, the most popular products are Valtec 16 2.0.

For convenience, pipes are formed into coils, upon unwinding of which the total length of the products is 50-200 m.

Metal-polymer (metal-plastic) pipes Valtec

Valtec metal-polymer pipe is a product consisting of three layers. The first (working) one is made using the technology of cross-linking polyethylene. The cell density is 65%. The second layer is reinforcing. It is made of aluminum foil with a thickness of 0.25-0.4 millimeters. The segments are connected end-to-end. The TIG method is used to solder the seam, as a result of which its strength exceeds the strength of the foil itself. The third layer (protective) is also cross-linked polyethylene. Only it has a lower density (55%). This pipe is ideal for a heating system or hot water supply. The cellular structure (at the molecular level) ensures the elasticity of the product. Valtec metal-plastic pipes have a number of advantages over plastic and metal analogues from other manufacturers. Firstly, the flexibility of the walls allows you to minimize the connection of additional fittings, for example, corner models. This allows you to use this product for laying a heated floor system. Secondly, welding machines are not used to connect pipe sections, which melt its end. Therefore, harmful floats do not form inside, due to which the clearance of the line decreases. Thirdly, the material is not afraid of moisture (neither from the inside nor from the outside). This means that the pipe will not rust or plaque will form inside.

The presented model range includes items that differ in diameter and thickness. The minimum size is 16x2.0, and the maximum is 40x3.5. They are used both for regular plumbing and for heating systems. Models differ from unreinforced products in that they are able to hold the shape that the installer gives them. The maximum operating temperature of the coolant is +95 degrees. The pressure at which the product functions normally should not exceed 10 atmospheres. However, if the temperature of the circulating fluid is between zero and +25 degrees, then the maximum threshold is 25 bar. For a short period of time, heating the pipe to 130 degrees is allowed. However, this should not be abused, because such a load is fraught with damage to the adhesive base that connects the polyethylene and foil. If you set the maximum limit of 90 degrees on the boiler or water heater, then the line made of Valtec metal-plastic products will work for a long time and reliably.

A lot about the pros and little about the cons

The positive and negative properties of products depend on the technical characteristics of the materials used for their production.

Advantages

• Valtec metal-plastic products are distinguished by:
• high throughput, which is 1.4 times higher in comparison with metal analogues;
• resistance to possible siltation, overgrowth and plaque formation;
• increased anti-corrosion resistance and anti-toxicity;
• resistance to chemically active environments;
• low weight, high degree of plasticity;
• low thermal conductivity coefficient;
• reliability and durability of operation;
• ease of installation, which is accompanied by a minimum amount of waste;
• possibility of installation in concrete screeds;
• excellent sound insulation properties;
• antistatic, which is expressed in the impossibility of the occurrence of stray currents;
• good maintainability, which eliminates the need to use a pipe bending wrench or welding machine;
• external aesthetic appearance, due to which the products do not need to be painted.

Flaws

Along with many advantages, Valtec metal-plastic pipes have several disadvantages, among which are:

• different coefficients of thermal expansion of metal and plastic. That is, with regular temperature changes of the transported media, the joints of the pipes may weaken. This means that the system may depressurize, which will bring a lot of problems to the owners.

Important! To avoid such cases, it is necessary to lay pipes with a certain margin.

• In places where bends are expected, it is recommended to stock up on compensation loops; prohibiting multiple bends in one place, since such a procedure may cause a decrease in the strength of the product.

Important! Bending should only be done using a special pipe bender or spring, which will ensure a smooth procedure for changing the configuration of the riser.

• In practice, the second option is used more often, since the spring is not very expensive, and the bending quality is the same as using a pipe bender.

Before bending using springs, the pipe must be filled with dry sand.

Important! It is prohibited to twist the risers relative to their longitudinal axis, since such an operation may cause loss of integrity and ductility of the main pipeline part.

Metal-plastic pipes VALTEC PEX-AL-PEX

Main characteristics of pipes made of metal polymers

Multilayer pipes based on aluminum and polyethylene are designed to overcome the disadvantages of metal and plastic pipelines, inheriting the best characteristics of these systems.

Consumers and experts note:

• ease of installation, low weight;
• resistance to corrosion, biological and salt growth;
• resistance to hydraulic shocks and damping of acoustic waves;
• ability to tolerate freezing;
• low electrical and thermal conductivity;
• impermeability to oxygen.

When choosing, you should pay attention to the thickness of the aluminum layer and the method of welding it. Aluminum grade A5 has good ductility. Seamless welding, which is performed with a laser, is preferable: other methods can increase the fragility of the walls.

We recommend pipes that use cross-linked polymers labeled PEX and PE-RT. They show the best characteristics of heat resistance, reliability and durability.

Product Features

Sales of combined metal and plastic pipes have been growing steadily since the beginning of the 21st century. They are readily purchased for water supply equipment (hot, cold, drinking), floor and radiator heating, irrigation, sewerage, and air conditioning.

Metal-plastic also has limitations. It is not recommended to use it if:

1. The operating temperature of the environment exceeds 950C. For some brands, a temperature increase of up to 1300C is allowed, but it should be short-term in nature, as it reduces the service life of the pipeline.
2. The pressure exceeds 10 bar. If a short-term increase to 16 bar occurs (for example, this happens due to worn safety devices), the pipe will not rupture: its destruction pressure is several times higher. But you can’t count on half a century of operation in such conditions.
3. The premises correspond to category “G” for explosion and fire hazard. Typically these are industrial premises: welding and foundry shops, forges, boiler rooms.
4. A fire-fighting water supply system is equipped. Metal polymer is a combustible, although difficult to ignite, material.
5. There is a high risk of pipeline contact with organic solvents.

The apparent ease of installation work tempts non-professionals to refuse special tools for bending pipes and fastening. Violation of installation technology and incorrectly selected fittings are a common cause of depressurization and rapid failure of even the highest quality pipes.

Where to buy metal-plastic pipes?

A complex five-layer design combining several materials is not the cheapest material. But the Santekhmontazh online store is striving to make prices for metal-plastic pipes more affordable. Our assortment focuses on products known for the optimal ratio of quality and cost.

Among the most frequently ordered are VALTEC pipes. The products of this brand have long proven themselves on the Russian market, so you don’t have to be among the “first testers” of quality. The company can be proud of a wide range of components for pipelines. In particular, fittings with increased capacity, which implement engineering solutions that prevent depressurization.

Santekhmontazh specialists will help you solve the problem of choosing suitable pipes for your system and their delivery.

Where it can and cannot be used

Most often the products are used for domestic purposes. But, thanks to their qualitative characteristics, they can be found in different spheres of human life.

They are widely used in:

• networks designed to move compressed air;
• air conditioning systems;
• as a screen for protecting electrical cables;
• systems for supplying drinking water, since the production of polyethylene does not anticipate the presence of impurities that may be hazardous to health.

Where else are such piping elements used?

The products have found application in the transportation of agents in liquid and gaseous states in industry, medicine, agriculture, and transport.

At the same time, there are some restrictions regarding the use of metal-plastic products.

It is not recommended to use them:

• for the arrangement of central heating networks in which there are elevator units;
• in buildings of category “G” (according to fire safety standards);
• in pipelines designed to move liquid media with pressure above 10 atmospheres;
• in rooms where there are heat sources with a heating temperature of +150⁰С and above.

Important! The products are not used in fire protection systems, as well as in structures with safety, expansion, signal, and overflow pipelines.

About technical specifications

Among the wide range of metal-plastic products, risers with diameters of 16 and 20 mm are most often used. Based on these typical products, it is possible to fully imagine the technical characteristics of similar parts of pipelines of other diameters:

• the thickness of the walls of risers made of metal-plastic is 16 and 20 mm - 2 mm and 2.5 mm, respectively;
• weight 1 m/p: 16 mm – 115 grams, 20 mm – 170 grams;
• 1 m/p pipe 16 holds 0.112 l of liquid, and with a diameter of 20 - 0.202 l;
• coefficient: thermal conductivity – 0.42 W/m∙k, roughness – 0.07, linear expansion – 0.25∙10⁻⁴ ⅟deg, joint strength using the welding method of aluminum foil – 56 N/mm²;
• bending radius (minimum): using pipe benders - 45, using a spring - 80 mm.

It should be noted that due to the 5-layer structure of the products, air diffusion is completely absent.

A separate topic is temperature and pressure.

What can be the values ​​of these important parameters for the products to function properly?

The optimal temperature range for successful operation of pipelines is from 0⁰С to +95⁰С. It is clear that for a short period of time the products will function at slightly higher temperatures, but this should not be abused.

Metal-plastic pipe products can function normally at pressures of up to 10 atmospheres. It is possible that liquid must be supplied to the system under a pressure of 25 atmospheres. With such indicators, the temperature of the working environment should not exceed +25⁰С.

It is interesting that pipes made of metal-plastic begin to collapse at a pressure of about 94 atmospheres. Impressive?

A little about pex al pex valtec metal-polymer pipes

As numerous reviews indicate, among all standard sizes of metal-polymer pipes, the most popular products are Valtec 16 2.0. In particular, pex al pex valtec metal-polymer pipes are used in the construction of:

• water supply systems, including drinking water supply systems;
• wall, floor, radiator, ceiling heating structures of various types;
• heated open-air areas;
• water cooling systems.

In addition, using pipelines from these parts, not only aqueous media or non-freezing glycol coolants are transported. Without them, it is impossible to imagine modern pipelines for moving chemically active media that are not aggressive to aluminum foil and plastic.

The product is supplied in the form of coils in protective packaging with a total pipe length of 50, 100, 200 and even 500 meters.

What properties do pex al pex valtec products have?

The main positive quality of pex al pex valtec 16 2.0 metal-polymer pipes is their increased resistance to deformation, and in particular to cracking, even under conditions of low or high temperatures and pressure.

In addition, the material is not damaged in the event of strong bends even with minimal radii, which is very important when performing installation work in extreme conditions and hard-to-reach places.

Plus, the products are characterized by the so-called “memory effect”, which is expressed in the restoration of the original shapes after various bends.

Operating conditions for Valtec metal-plastic pipes

Pipes can be used for heating, water supply and cooling. What makes them strong and reliable is their multi-layer nature and two layers of adhesive. The main advantages of the product are:

• resistance to high temperatures up to 95°C and higher with short-term exposure (up to 130°C);
• a pressure of 10 atmospheres is considered normal for them;
• when operating at a temperature of 95°C, the service life is 25 years, at lower temperatures – up to 50 years;
• Valtek metal-plastic pipes are resistant to temperature changes;
• non-toxic, non-corrosive, resistant to deposits;
• light and plastic, have high thermal conductivity;
• economical - there is no waste during installation, because sold in coils and, if necessary, cut to the required length;
• If the heating system freezes, Valtec metal-plastic pipes are not destroyed, and after defrosting they can continue to be used as usual.

Today we can offer each buyer a choice of several varieties of metal-plastic multilayer pipes, the main difference of which is the diameter and wall thickness. In our catalog you will find:

• Valtec metal-plastic pipes with a diameter of ½ inch and a wall thickness of 2 mm. They can be used in water supply and heat supply systems. They are often used to connect heating radiators, wall and floor heating. Such pipes are designed to transport water, coolant and other substances that are not aggressive to the material of the product itself. On our website you have the opportunity to purchase official, certified goods in bays of 100 and 200 meters;
• pipes with a diameter of ¾ inches. They are supplied in coils of 100 meters, and the wall thickness is the same 2 mm. The cost of the pipe is indicated per linear meter;
• PEX-AL-PEX Valtec pipes with a diameter of 1 and 1 ¼ inches (wall thickness 3 mm). They have three main layers, namely polyethylene-aluminum-polyethylene. They are connected to each other with a special adhesive composition. Today you can buy metal-plastic pipes of this diameter from us at a price of 167 rubles per linear meter. They are supplied in coils of 50 meters;
• metal-plastic pipes with a diameter of 1 ½ inches. They are produced in coils of 25 meters and can be used for water and heat supply systems.

How to decipher the markings

To obtain information about the product and its operating conditions, special symbols, letters and numbers are applied to the surface.

Different manufacturers may apply their marking code differently.

Are there general rules for applying marking codes?

If there were no established standards for applying codes, there would be complete confusion in terms of determining not only manufacturers, but also the technical characteristics of pipeline parts. Therefore, there are certain rules and sequence of inscriptions on pipe products. Let's highlight the main ones:

• name of the company producing the product;
• information about the certificate of conformity. This document is necessary so that the potential buyer is confident that the product is manufactured in accordance with regulatory documents and its use guarantees complete safety for health during operation;
• data on the design features of the pipes: name of the material, how the product is sewn, how it is protected from ultraviolet radiation, etc. For example, the designation PPR tells the buyer that polypropylene was used to make the part, PER - polyethylene, and if PEX - then, accordingly, cross-linked polyethylene. By the way, the crosslinking method is defined by letters: a – pyroxide, b – silane, etc.;

• data on diameters and possible wall thicknesses. By the way, the diameter can be expressed in inches (nowadays this designation is rarely used) and in millimeters (ranging from 10 to 1200 mm). The wall thickness can be in the range of 2-16 mm;
• the value of the nominal pressure (PN), which is expressed in “bars”. This value shows what continuous pressure the water has in the riser at a temperature of +20⁰С, if the operating period, without repairing the system, is 50 years.

Next, the suitability for moving a certain medium is indicated and, finally, information about the batch number of these products is indicated.

Important! When installing pipelines, do not forget that the markings on the Valtec 16 metal-plastic pipe or on products of other diameters must be in a visible place. If necessary, it will be possible to immediately determine the type of pipe that needs, for example, to be replaced or repaired.

Thus, the properties and technical characteristics of the valtec metal-polymer pipe once again convince us that products of this type are indispensable when installing household pipelines. Therefore, today such risers are the most popular among the many modifications of similar products.

What are Valtec metal-plastic fittings?

Fittings are parts with which risers are connected to each other and turns, branches, and transitions to other pipeline diameters are made. Most often, when performing installation work, they deal with press fittings and crimp analogues.

Which ones are better?

Crimping

The crimp fittings function thanks to the crimp nut that secures the pipe. The main advantage of this type of connection: it eliminates the need to use special tools, except for two keys of specific diameters.

Compression fittings are not without some disadvantages: loosening of the thread over a long period of operation, which requires regular tightening.

Important! It is not recommended to install compression fittings in floors, walls, or ceilings, since it eliminates the possibility of free access to them if necessary.

Press fittings

Press fittings will help solve this issue, which can be freely used when arranging pipe structures in walls, ceilings, and floors.

Main components:

1. Brass body made of CW617N.
2. Press sleeve made of AISI304 stainless steel.
3. EPDM O-rings.
4. Nylon retainer.

To install the system, you will need a press tool with a set of attachments. The connection technology provides for 2-sided pressing of the pipe, which will ensure complete tightness of the product. When installing parts in walls or floors, the service life of the products does not decrease at all, but even vice versa.

Important! It is very convenient that the presence of a large selection of press fittings and adapters for threaded type connections and other engineering plumbing parts allows the use of connectors in many areas of domestic and industrial purposes.