![]() The working pressure of copper piping is 250 psi for Type “M” hard, Type “L” hard, and Type “K” soft, and 400 psi for Type “K” hard. As piping material, however, the potential lower installation cost and faster welding (use of grooved fittings) may well make it the most overall economical.Ĭopper Pipe is a common selection for sensitive air systems and when selected correctly and connected correctly is very rugged. Ring seals such as those used in grooved connections will work well with stainless steel. Threaded stainless steel often tends to leak. ![]() Stainless steel is often lighter for the same pressure temperature rating and installs well when welded. Stainless Steel is often a good selection particularly when exposed to oil-free wet air and its extremely high acid level condensate (before the dryers). The internal corrosion issue is much more significant with oil free air than with lubricated compressors. Compared to copper and aluminum, it is much heavier and harder to work with, but less expensive. This pipe is usually a threaded connected 3" diameter and smaller and welded with larger diameters. with proper thermal and pressure characteristics.īlack Iron or Steel Pipe in compressed air systems will corrode when exposed to condensate (H2O) and thus become a major source of ontamination to the whole system. Metal Pipe - can be black iron, stainless steel, copper, aluminum, etc. As a consultant, we would agree with this given today’s material, data and available alternatives. Overall, the compressed air industry has not accepted any type of plastic pipe as appropriate and safe for downstream compressed air. F, and are gradually reduced above 100.The pressure ratings for typical thermoplastic piping and fittings are about a constant 185 psi for all sizes in the temperature range -20 Resistance to common oils and solvents is not published. It does not have published testing above 140 F for 3/4") is not exceeded in the pipe system.Įven this HDPE plastic pipe with an aluminum centerpiece is still rated at 73.The heat of compression should be fully dissipated so that the maximum temperature rating (140 Typical Pressure Temperature Ratings for Thermoplastic PipingĪs with all other thermoplastic piping components, the maximum non-shock operating pressure is a function of temperature. Although pipeline fires are rare today, when there is one in plastic pipe, there is a good chance that it will melt through the plastic pipe and migrate into the plant.Most of these materials are not compatible with compressor oils in general and particularly many synthetics.F at 125 psig, but it actually starts to weaken at 70.PVC, for instance, is limited to about 160 The failure in an aftercooler can easily reach or exceed these numbers. Most of these are limited to an operating temperature of 140.However, this material and all others offered to date have significant limitations: New products were introduced that utilized material that did not shatter. What has held back this materials acceptance by many compressed air people and organizations?Įarly on, PVC was used for compressed air piping, and it was not long before the fact became evident that it sometimes “shattered” when it failed sending sharp pieces throughout the area. The labor (which can also be unskilled) is much lower in cost than most metals (copper, stainless, black iron), and the total job may often be less expensive installed.Installation with the appropriate gluing material is fast.It can be installed with no special tools such as welders, threaders, etc.It is lighter than most metal and easier to handle.Non-Metal Pipe - commonly called “plastic” pipe has been offered for many years as compressed air piping because: The compressed air piping materials can be divided into two basic types: Metal and Non-metal. For health care facilities, consult the current Standard NFPA 99 of the National Fire Protection Association. ![]() The usual standard to be applied is the ANSI B31.1. Types of Piping Offered for Compressed AirĬonsult federal, state and local codes before deciding on the type of piping to be used. We have developed and used these guidelines over the last twenty years and find them very accurate. As with all our guidelines, they are based on performance and measured critical data in the field molded with theoretical performance. They are designed to arm you with basic principles that always apply and, when followed, will end up with a well performing system. These guidelines are not designed to replace the appropriate correct volumes of information and are not designed to answer all questions regarding a specific installation. Like many other topics in “practical” compressed air technology, a significant portion of this is controversial and often directly opposed. The subject of compressed air piping has probably had more pages written about it than any other topic, even storage.
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