Heaters for pipes made of expanded polyethylene: dimensions, characteristics, photo

When laying and operating pipelines of any kind, it is necessary to follow certain rules, otherwise you can face all sorts of problems.

Need to use

Sewage and water pipes that are on the street or inside unheated rooms can freeze. With regard to heating systems, they need to prevent heat loss, as well as maintaining a certain temperature of the coolant. For protection in the described cases, insulation is used for pipes made of foam polyethylene.

Main characteristics

The above material has a unique structure, which consists of small sealed cells, its density can be equal to a digit ranging from 25 to 40 kilograms per cubic meter. Polyethylene has excellent elasticity even under the influence of low temperatures, and its properties do not change at a range from -60 to +90 degrees. This indicates that insulation for pipes made of foamed polyethylene can be installed in all weather conditions. The coefficient of thermal insulation of foamed polyethylene is quite high, since the thermal conductivity is insignificant and varies from 0.038 to 0.039. The vapor permeability is 0.001, which allows the material to demonstrate the quality of complete vapor tightness. It can be affected by all kinds of loads, and the largest of them is the index of 0.3 MPa. The insulation for water pipes made of foamed polyethylene has a sound absorption of 16 decibels, so the material perfectly absorbs sounds and vibrations that may occur during the operation of piping systems. It is impossible not to mention the excellent hydrophobicity, so, when in direct contact with the liquid, the latter is capable of being absorbed by 1% of the total volume. The highest water absorption is 3.5%. That is why laying does not imply the need for waterproofing works, since the surface will not form condensation. Heaters for pipes made of foamed polyethylene are excellent in dealing with the action of chemically active substances like gasoline, oils, acids and alkalis.

Additional features

The described thermal insulation is made in accordance with GOST 30244-94. Foamed polyethylene can be attributed to the class of moderately combustible materials, the ignition temperature with direct exposure to the flame is 306 degrees. For self-ignition, 416 degrees will suffice. However, an additional advantage is that this insulation is not toxic even when burning, in the process it does not emit fumes harmful to the human body.

Positive characteristics

If you are interested in insulation for pipes made of foam polyethylene, then it is worth considering all of its pluses. Quite often this material is compared with expanded polystyrene and polyurethane foam, in this regard, there are many advantages, among them - an insignificant coefficient of thermal conductivity, thanks to which it is possible to provide an effective insulation that has a small thickness. It is impossible not to mention the quality, such as the resistance to stretching, and also the ability to perfectly restore the original shape after deformation. Cement, gypsum, lime and concrete can impact on expanded polyethylene without compromising on quality characteristics. For the reason that the described insulation is completely harmless not only for humans, but also for the environment, it is allowed to be used in industry, at home, in medical institutions and food industry institutions. Polyethylene has hydrophobicity qualities, which creates conditions that exclude the occurrence of mold and fungus. One should also note the ease of installation, since the products are made in the form of hollow pipes, through which it is possible to insulate the pipeline for a short time, using additional tools and equipment. The cost of the material is 2 times lower compared to similar solutions, which is why this type of insulation is increasingly used by consumers.

Some negative characteristics

The insulation for polyethylene foam pipes, the characteristics of which are presented in the article, has some drawbacks, among them, as mentioned above, the ability to maintain combustion and flammability when exposed to a flame. For this reason, the material can not be used on sites that are subject to high fire safety requirements. Among other things, the foam is destroyed under the influence of direct sunlight. This indicates the need to store and operate pipe insulation in places where ultraviolet light is excluded. To solve this problem, a material is selected that has a light-tight film. The existing shortcomings are easily compensated by the aforementioned advantages.

Dimensions and some other features

If you decide to use a heater for polyethylene foam pipes, the size of which can vary from 6 to 160 millimeters, you need to know all about the varieties of its diameters. Thus, the thickness of the walls can be equal to a digit ranging from six to thirty-two millimeters. On sale it is possible to find pipe insulation, which is equipped with a special shell, which has a colored polymer coating. It protects from exposure to sunlight, which makes it possible to use these products even in places that are constantly exposed to ultraviolet radiation. Among other things, a heater for polyethylene foam pipes, the photo of which is presented in the article, can be roll or sheet. Sometimes in the manufacturing process the insulation is supplemented with a foil or adhesive layer.

The structure of the shell

The form of insulation must meet certain requirements, which will allow it to grasp the surface with minimal gaps. The material should not be deformed, but the shape must have a certain diameter. Only in this way will it be possible to provide a significant index of thermal insulation. To ensure a convenient installation along the tube, as a rule, there is a technological cut which allows to perform assembly works in the shortest time and on those systems that have already been installed.

Features of the installation

If you decide to use a thermal insulation insulation for pipes made of foamed polyethylene, the diameters should be selected as perfectly as possible. After this, it is important to follow the insulation isolation technology. Pipes are prepared for the procedure, their surface is cleaned of dirt and dust. Polyethylene is worn as a stocking, which should not be associated with particular difficulties. This can be done on a pipe not yet installed, and the insulation is not damaged by the knife.