Stainless steel corrugated pipes (or so-called "Kofulso pipes") known for a long time. They were invented in Japan in the late XIX century. Because the country is in a seismically active zone, these communications, possessing flexibility of rubber and durability of steel, turned out to be very relevant. Soon they were made in Germany and South Korea. The latter is currently considered a leader among manufacturers of flexible stainless steel pipes. In honor of the leading company in the production of these communications, they received the second name.
Properties of stainless steel pipes allow to use them for creation of engineering networks and other communications
Production process and technical characteristics
Previously, polypropylene and metal-plastic constructions were used for plumbing and heating systems., as well as pipes made of cold-rolled steel sheets. However, flexible corrugated pipes are rapidly gaining popularity and are gradually displacing them. They are made of high quality stainless steel with the addition of Nickel, chromium and carbon.
It is interesting! The concentration of additional components for the production of products is calculated with extreme accuracy, which provides resistance of a corrugated pipe to corrosion and long service life.
Despite its versatility and high quality, corrugated stainless steel pipes are made by a fairly simple technology. The production process involves the following stages:
- formation of a pipe from a special steel tape;
- welding of the workpiece with tungsten electrodes. It is carried out using automatic TIG equipment. In the process, the temperature reaches 1 150 degrees of heat;
- the next stage is to check the seam on the laser installation;
- then form a corrugation. To do this, use special shafts of different diameters;
- heat wrap (annealed pipe is characterized by greater flexibility) and packaging. The products are divided into segments of the desired length and rolled into bays (if they are small in diameter);
- to make sure there are no microcracks in the material and to remove defective products, each batch is rigorously inspected. To do this, flexible corrugated stainless steel pipes are placed in a liquid medium under high pressure, using special devices. The devices are attached to each bay. The pressure reaches 10 Atm, and then its fall is traced.
Pipe corrugation is formed when a steel pipe passes through special shafts
If the product has met the stated quality standards, it has the following characteristics:
- The norm of working pressure is 10 Atm., Maximum limit - 60 Atm.
- Nominal temperature during operation of a corrugated pipe from stainless steel - within 0 ° С - 100 ° C, the maximum figure is over 150 ° C.
- Pipelines with a diameter are issued for individual repair and construction works 15, 20, 25 and 32 mm.
Classification of corrugations and fittings for it
Stainless corrugated pipe can have different properties, depending on the purpose:
- unfired. It has elasticity and some weight;
- annealed - more flexible. To achieve the desired effect, the products are subjected to heat treatment;
- with a polyethylene protective covering. Such pipes are intended for gas supply, underground communications or systems, which need to be concreted.
To connect parts of engineering systems, including steel pipelines, brass fittings are used. They come in different diameters, cross-sectional shapes and configurations, depending on the purpose. They consist of a cap nut, body, snap ring (of plastic or steel), silicone gasket, which hermetically sealed flexible pipe.
Wrinkle! You should not save on fittings. Buy them only from proven sellers, as a poor quality product can disable the entire water supply system.
Small diameter corrugated pipes are connected by compression fittings
Features and benefits
The popularity of flexible corrugated steel pipe is due to ??its high quality and excellent technical characteristics.
Firstly, it is durability. Combining flexibility and strength, flexible stainless steel pipes, according to experts, can be operated for hundreds of years. They are not prone to cracking, resistant to mechanical damage, and the cross section of the pipe passage does not change even through 50 years.
Secondly, reasonable price. Compared to previously popular copper pipes, corrugated (stainless steel) cost much less. This is the perfect value for money. Such an investment will pay off in many years of service. in addition, maintenance and repair of the pipeline will not require large financial investments.
Scale does not accumulate on the inner walls of the stainless steel flexible pipe, precipitate, no salt deposits are formed, therefore there is no overgrowth of the pipe. This ensures the smooth operation of sewerage and water supply. You do not have to purify the water further, used for household purposes.
You can feel the advantage of stainless steel corrugations when buying: compact and lightweight, it is quickly and easily transported.
Installation of a stainless steel communication system does not require much experience and special skills. Pipes can be installed independently. You don't even need special devices like welding. Therefore the usual and annealed corrugated pipe from stainless steel is installed three times faster, than its counterparts, made of other materials.
Steel corrugated pipes are very flexible, therefore with their help it is easy to create systems of any complexity
Where to apply
Corrugated communications are universal. They can be used in both centralized systems, and autonomous water supply, heating. This is possible due to the ability of stainless steel pipe to withstand enormous pressure at wall thickness 0,25-0,3 mm.
Corrugation normally tolerates extreme temperatures, which gives a significant advantage over polypropylene and metal-plastic counterparts. Under the influence of high temperatures, communication lines are not deformed. And in conditions of severe frosts, stainless steel corrugated pipe is not damaged by compression and expansion of the material. Freezing and thawing do not affect the flexibility of the product (especially if the stainless steel pipe is annealed), it can withstand strong water hammer quite easily. The material is so flexible, that the pipes can bend with a radius of 150 to 30 mm. It depends on the diameter of the stainless steel pipe.
Due to such properties, corrugated pipes are used almost everywhere. They are used by builders, repairmen, utilities and electricians. Namely:
- installation of cold and hot water supply systems;
- heating systems;
- wall and floor insulation;
- boiler strapping;
- connection of counters;
- manufacture of heat exchangers;
- gas distribution;
- ventilation and air conditioning systems.
Also corrugated stainless steel pipes are used as metal hoses for wiring and even as an element of the solar collector system.
Corrugated stainless steel pipes are used not only in everyday life, but also in various industrial systems
mounting technology
The corrugated stainless steel pipe is installed quite simply and quickly. You can do it yourself, without the help of workers. The main thing is to be careful, neat and act clearly according to a given algorithm:
- first connect the fittings to the consumers (when it comes to plumbing, then it's plumbing, faucets). Make sure, that cap nut on the side, where the pipeline is connected, that is not protracted;
- then cut off a sufficient amount of material. It is better to do it with a roller pipe cutter. Try, to make the cut neat, without teasing;
- then the pipe is inserted into the fitting and the cap nut is tightened;
- now fix the stainless steel pipe in the desired position. Use special fasteners for this purpose (clips or clamps);
- check the system. If water leaks from the pipe connection, tighten the cap nuts more.
pay attention! Although the annealed steel pipe costs relatively little, more money is spent on consumables during installation, than for installation of plastic and polypropylene analogs.
Corrugated pipes are convenient, practical and reliable, therefore, their popularity is growing. Their installation is very simple, but it is necessary to approach it with all responsibility and not to save on connecting elements. Poor fittings will cause failure of the entire pipeline, and in the case of a heating or hot water supply system, depressurization of the circuit can be quite dangerous.