See photos below: We hope that you can now select the correct material for your application. It is weak because it is totally susceptible to corrosion, flaking, and pin-hole defects depending on the skill with which it is dipped. I judge galvanized piping as a totally wrong application that is doomed to failure. All rights reserved. My response: Hi Tony, nice hearing from you. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. This site is reader-supported and we earn commissions if you purchase products from retailers after clicking on a link from our site. Though, copper aluminium and stainless steel are also great choices.Its possible to use an array plastic piping too, as long as theyre approved by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) because if theyre not, you could cause harm to yourself and the air system. To learn more about air compressor piping material and the critical role of piping in your compressed air system, locate and contact your distributor at https://us.fscurtis.com/support/distributor-finder/. This initial low cost may have a high risk over time. If not copper, opt for rubber/vinyl (not just PVC) hose with barbed fittings. This is currently the compressed air piping of choice. No letter? In time, the rust scales will migrate to the air equipment and cause damage to them. For the installation, you will need assistance. A frequent question regarding air compressors is, What type of pipe should I use for my air compressor? Below are the most common options: In summary, there are many choices when it comes to piping for your compressed air system. Many service technicians consider Black pipe installations to be back-breaking work. Compressed Air Dryers Guide Which Type of Air Dryer Do I Need? The best fit is typically oil-injected air compressors, and the oil can benefit the piping system by prohibiting corrosion inside the pipe. Most likely the lowest cost of ownership compared to the other types of piping, especially if changes to the system configuration are required. The major problems faced in a compressed air system include: To mitigate these problems, selecting the correct pipe material for your application is key. I certainly will recommend against using it. To date Ive never heard or read of anyone daring to state that the internal surface of a galvanized pipe can be safely guaranteed not to have defects or flaws because it cant be inspected. This article will guide you on how to select the most suitable compressed air piping for your application, so read on! Relative low cost, forgiving with misalignment, and wont rust. The moment it is threaded, the galvanization has been compromised and breeched. As always, consult a specialist before acting on any advice and please be aware of my information disclaimer here. We have Ranked the Top 5 Compressed Air Pipe types. A favorite for its ergonomic end use products. This pipe is a good quality and reliable choice of compressed air since the pipes are strong and corrosion resistant. @Copyright 2020 MFCP. How to select the best piping for your compressed air system. Clean copper pipe can deliver a high quality of air. These cookies do not store any personal information. If soldered properly, the copper fittings and joints should never leak, giving the user the potential to save the energy costs. The sheet used to make these pipes are thicker than class A and can withstand maximum working pressures of up to 30 bar. Why consider them, then? These pipes are used for general plumbing and are less likely to corrode than black pipes. I am currently using PVC (I know I know, not recommended) and I want to upgrade, however I do not want the cost of copper nor do I have the skills needed anyway, and black pipe rusts like crazy. It is also more expensive than polyethylene tube. I know places completely piped in galvanized pipe with no problems because it is used for just cleaning off equipment. The alloy will not corrode, plus guaranteed leak free. Pipe class is a classification of pipes and components that can be used at a specific pressure and temperature. Installation conditions could play a role in the effectiveness of your system and life cycle of the pipe. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. I cant imagine how and why anyone would apply this type of weak and inherently flawed piping. Overall Aluminum is the Best Compressed Air Pipe for your new or existing compressed air network. Making it a popular choice for some, but if you ask the masses, they will and I will, advise against using galvanized steel. I have never professed to know it allmaybe it just sounds that way sometimes. Stainless Steel4. This rigidness results in an inflexible material which is good at resisting cracks. There are many materials to consider when setting up your compressed air network. No tools required other than the cutting tool. Compressed Air System Design and Installation. Aluminium3. This can cause delays in the process if you have to make multiple trips to the hardware store for forgotten or overlooked items. You know, I dont know of anyone thats using galvanized pipe as a compressed air line. For example, you might consider making the cylinder extend air lines one color, the retract another. This version contains a layer of aluminium between two layers of PEX, boosting its corrosion resistance and strength traits. Find your next system below listed in alphabetical order. The following are the most common plastic air compressor piping options that meet this criteria: Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) is a suitably lightweight and easy to work with material that requires no special bracing or supports. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. You need to be aware that the galvanized coating degrades over time. Installation is easy; the sticks are light and can be installed with one technician. Avoid going beyond the specifications of any piping system. In that way, you have redress should the plastic fail. Ultimately, what pipe you use for your compressed air pipes is up to you, your budget, your installation-skill-level, and how much air you need for your equipment. What Type of Pipe Should I Use for My Air Compressor? It is resilient to water and oil, making stainless steel piping a top choice for corrosive environments and installations that require high purity of air quality. The drops and or T fittings will need to be prepared during the initial installation. For safety and overall performance, the flow, the temperature, and the pressure should be reviewed and discussed thoroughly before choosing a type of pipe. Galvanized coating resists moisture in compressed air but pieces of the coating will flake off and end up in your tools. And once a pin-hole (or even smaller holes) has been established, the corrosion starts immediately. First off, PVC isnt just not recommended, it could be catastrophic. The cost of stainless steel piping is one of the more expensive options. You cant just use any plastic pipes for compressed air distribution, they must be OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) approved, for starters. Air leak OMG someone call 911, I mean come on. Also available in Stainless Steel. Our website uses cookies to improve your experience. The thing is that galvanized pipes are not as good as they were in the past, In my backyard I have lots of galvanized pipes produced in 1970s and 1980sAnd guess what ? Sizing An Air Compressor, Sizing An Air Compressor For Impact Wrench, Sizing An Air Compressor For Spray Painting, Sizing An Air Compressor For Double Acting Air Sander, Sizing An Air Compressor For An Air Stapler, Sizing An Air Compressor For Sandblasting, Spray Texture Gun Air Pressure Requirements, Sizing An Air Compressor For Car Detailing, Air Compressor Troubleshooting, Solutions & Common Problems, Air Compressor Repair DIY & Repair Centers, Why An Air Compressor Wont Build Pressure, Air Compressor Keeps Tripping Circuit Breaker Solved, Air Compressor Reset Button Keeps Tripping? Copper pipe for air compressors can be purchased in standard pressures and for standard temperatures. However, PEX and CPVC are both considered safe to use inside houses for waterlines. HDPE. Question from reader: How does galvanized pipe rank for compressed air plumbing? PVC and CPVC piping is not approved by OSHA for compressed air systems so they should certainly be avoided. Aluminium compressed air piping systems are highly modular and can be installed with ease using standard fittings, rigid aluminium pip can be plumed around an entire facility without a single bend. galvanized pipe flakes off on the inside that is why they dont use it. Or, if you have pneumatic logic on a machine, you might make all of the control air lines one color, and the power air lines another. Over time the galvanized layer flakes off and the pipe inevitably rusts. GI pipe is manufactured in 3 classes. If you have any experience with soldering copper it is really easy to work with, and has lots of readily available fittings to convert from soldered copper to threads for installation into components. I have worked as an industrial millwright/mechanic for the past 15 years 6 of them as a fluid power specialist. Learn more about different piping systems and their applications. But youre right, it has become very expensive, and even though there are other alternatives to sweating the copper, that would be my first choice for putting copper lines and fittings together. The degradation makes the pipe brittle and easy to crack when under pressure. Copper pipe sticks and fittings can be found at local hardware stores, making it convenient to use. Theres also PEX pipe for air line which is cross-linked Polyethylene and though this is typically used for water, PEX-AL-PEX is designed for compressed air system. The debris will cause severe damage to cylinders, pneumatic tools, and other components. Black pipe can be great for high-pressure ranges and high temperatures. Probably the least common choices of material for compressed air systems due to their high costs. When it comes to your compressed air system, selecting the right pipe material will help you save air and ultimately save money in the long run. Many folks still use it as it is relatively cheap when lots of pipe is needed for a plant installation. In compressed air systems, the air must be compressed to be delivered with enough volume, quality and pressure in order to power the components that use the air. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Therefore, I wondered if they can be used for my compressed air system. Again, thank you very much for chiming in. An aluminum option to using galvanized pipe in air systems: Try Transair Aluminum Compressed air pipe system. One hot summer afternoon, the line exploded for no apparent reason about 20 ft away from me and it was like a bomb going off. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2020 Ren Engineering Solutions. The price of copper affects the overall pricing of the product. if your just moving air and quality does not matter then by all means use galvanized. - Compressor Now Parts Sales. This will cause failures in valving, actuators & air tools. Class A the thickness of the sheet used to make these pipes is minimum. Ignorance is bliss. I also know that PVC is not used inside houses for waterlines. Most pipes have a schedule that determines the thickness of the pipe (most pipe uses schedule 40), and with that schedule, you can determine the ratings for the compressor pipe fittings. Using AirNet aluminum piping makes your system leak free since the fittings have a push fit connection to the pipes. https://us.fscurtis.com/support/distributor-finder/. The pipe is available in a variety of schedules and can be sourced locally. Plan accordingly for future needs, and have a plan for the outcome. Also keep in mind the environment it is installed in. We use cookies to provide an optimal experience on our website. Stainless steel requires planning and experience with a large budget, but the outcome can be an impressive installation with excellent air quality and a clean, sharp appearance. Plastic materials are lightweight, easy to work with, contain good resistance to corrosion, smooth interior surfaces which encourage laminar flow and can simply be glued together, which is less costly and certainly quicker than welding metal pipes together. Feel free to comment or ask questions on pipe material selection or compressed air systems. This versatility can make finding fittings locally easy and ensure you have the correct fitment for your installation. DeAnna Hagen, Channel Partner Manager Midwest Region. no longer any protection, since the galvanization has been stripped and removed at the weakest point the threads! When considering installing a piping system for compressed air, there are many options and important factors to consider. Are you wondering what is the best pipe material for air compressor lines? Ive also included some negative user comments on compressed air piping materials to follow. Copper2. These pipes are lightweight making installation works easier. Copper pipes are also naturally antibacterial. There are options of a bag & tag system that is pre-cleaned and specially packaged to prevent contamination during storage and shipping. Nylon pneumatic tubing is a more expensive alternative to polyurethane, but comes with a range of enhanced capabilities like greater operating pressures and chemical compatibility. There could be hidden costs associated with adding these at a later time. If your coming from outside to inside then maybe use copper until you enter the inside. The customer was extremely satisfied with the work. Many elements can induce corrosion. Do not forget the multiple fittings needed for any installation. If you bend it, it tends to leave a permanent kink and a weak spot in the tubing, and it is not abrasive resistant, meaning you would not use polyethylene tube as an airline to an air tool. If its installed properly then you should get many years of use out of it before there is a problem. Compressed air systems tend to have moisture and rust in black iron pipe is inevitable. Related: Reducing Compressed Air Consumption. However, whether at home or in the plant, I personally would not recommend black pipe unless I absolutely had to. Should the plastic pipe fail, rather than springing a leak, the plastic will shatter, sending shards in every direction. If you can help it, its best to steer clear of black pipe as well you will save time, money, and headache by avoiding these options. Black pipe for air compressors is heavy and requires pipe threading equipment. To find out more about our installation services,click here. The pipes are color coded yellow. I guess the toss up is do you get better quality air from galvanized, with the risk of galvanization coming off inside the pipe, or from black pipe knowing that rust will develop for sure, and that rust will flow down the line to your application. If your using air for pneumatic cylinders and other related applications then yes copper is the best alternative. Outside or inside. There are 6 major types of piping material commonly used. Before you take what might be a dangerous decision, I recommend that you note the pipe manufacturers name off the pipe, email them this same question, and keep their answer on file if they say yes. The installation requires welding and brazing. Air compressor piping materials can typically be listed into two categories: Metal piping is the more traditional and popular choice for compressed air systems. about-air-compressors.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
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