An elbow (colloquially an elbow ) is a type of pipe fitting that allows pipes to be connected at different angles in order to change the direction of the flow of the medium in the installation. Elbows installed in modern installations are increasingly made of plastics. In this article, we focused on the installation of a PP elbow – a plastic with unique properties.
Check out the installation elbows at the Onninen wholesaler
How to avoid damage when installing a PP elbow?
The PP elbow , made of polypropylene, is a frequently used element in modern central heating, cold and hot utility water installations, as well as in technological, cooling and sanitary installations. PP elbows can be used in both residential buildings and industrial facilities. Systems made of PP material are characterized by high durability, safety for the natural environment and the user, excellent chemical resistance and complete resistance to corrosion. They perform a thermal insulation function.
They retain heat well, limiting the cooling of water in the system. The ideal smoothness of the internal walls prevents the accumulation of scale. PP elbows are designed for trouble-free, easy and convenient assembly. The pipe can be connected to the elbow, e.g. by screwing, clamping or gluing. Polypropylene is characterized by high melting, which is why most experts recommend connecting PP R pipes with a PP elbow by welding - as the most effective method, guaranteeing effective sealing.
Welding pipes with fittings at high temperature (260-270°C) means that there is no visible boundary between the elements at the joint. The weld is uniform and tight. In order to avoid damaging the elbow during the connection, it is necessary to ensure an appropriate level of plasticity of the elements. For this purpose, the ends of the pipe and fittings are heated up to the melting temperature of the material. The heated pipe (end) should be quickly placed in the elbow socket. After the joint has cooled, the polypropylene system is ready for use.
What to remember before welding elbows?
- Creating a durable and tight connection in a short time using the welding method requires a special device – a welding machine, portable or stationary depending on the diameters of the elements. Heating electrodes and a tool for cutting pipes are also needed, e.g. scissors, a disc cutter or a saw with a dedicated blade.
- The welding process requires knowledge and experience both in welding PP-R pipes and in operating the welding machine (individual models of devices differ in parameters). Have you bought a new welding machine? Be sure to perform test welds.
- Do not start welding immediately after the device has heated up to the desired temperature. It takes a few minutes for the heat to be evenly distributed.
- The welding process should take place at a sufficiently high ambient temperature, otherwise it will be ineffective, i.e. much more time-consuming. When the temperature drops below 4OC, welding is not recommended.
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Avoid creating very long sections of PP pipes, as they tend to expand and lengthen under the influence of heat. Excessive pipe elongation can cause the pipe to pull out of the elbow. Fortunately, there are effective ways to solve this problem. - When the PP-R system is mounted on a wall, it is not allowed to pour mortar directly into the pipes. A casing must be used. This requirement applies to both cold and hot water pipes.
PP elbows at the Onninen wholesaler
In the Onninen plumbing wholesaler you will find PP elbows in over 100 different versions, coming exclusively from renowned manufacturers and suppliers, such as Kaczmarek , Wavin , KAN-Therm or Onnline . You can also order other fittings from us, e.g. flange sleeves. Not sure which pipe fitting to choose? Are you wondering whether the PP 20 elbow will fit your system? Take advantage of the help of our team. Call or write!