PEX (or cross-linked polyethylene) is a type of plastic tubing widely used for radiant floor heating and for all plumbing applications. Although relatively new to the USA (it has been around since the 1990’s), it has been installed in Europe for more than 30 years. It is growing in popularity due to the increased reliability, ease of installation and lower costs for the material than copper piping.
Advantages
While copper pipe when frozen will split when the frozen water inside expands, PEX (also known as XLPE) allows enough expansion that it can withstand frozen cycles. This is especially important when installing piping in a slab for radiant floor heat when the slab may be exposed to freezing conditions during construction, or when your log home serves as a vacation home and may be uninhabited during the winter months, such as a small cabin built off the grid.
This tubing is easier than CPVC to install because it comes in a long roll and is threaded through drilled holes and around corners as a single long piece. CPVC, on the other hand, must be cut and fitted, creating dozens of potential leaks at every joint.
Types
- Reliable – resistant to cracks, uninterrupted water flow, maintenance free, long life expectancy
- Performance – robust delivery of hot and cold water distribution system
- Flexible - ability to bend pipe making it easy to work with the bend radius of 5 feet
- Markings - PEX tubing markings unique feature imprints common standards and ratings making it easy to understand tubing properties
- PEX Type: PEX B / Color: 1 x Red + 1 x Blue / PEX Tubing Size: 1/2 Inch / Coiled: Yes / Total Length: 2 x 500 Feet / Outside Diameter: 0.625 Inch / Inside Diameter: 0.475 Inch / Pressure Ratings: 80psi @ 200F, 100psi @ 180F, 160psi @ 73F
Pexflow PEX-B tubing
Cross-linked polyethylene is manufactured in three different grades. Each grade differs primarily in the way that it is produced:
- PEX-a is strong, uniform, and very flexible. It is made using the Engel method.
- PEX-b is also very flexible, strong and uniform. It differs only in the style of manufacturing, using the Silane method.
- PEX-c is the most environmentally-friendly method of the three, and it is made using the electronic beam method.
The tubing comes in blue and red colors to distinguish between cold and hot water installations, and it is available in sizes from ¼” to 4”, although the most commonly-used sizes are ½” and ¾”, especially for radiant floor heating applications.
Applications
XLPE is ideal for use in radiant floor heating or hydronic systems, as it can withstand water temperatures as high as 200° F. When using tubing for radiant floor heating it is best to use an XLPE type of PEX that contains an oxygen barrier to prevent some of the ferrous system components from rusting. Cross-linked polyethylene piping also comes in coils ranging from 100' to 2000' making it very versatile for burying in the concrete slab under your cabin.
In radiant floor heat systems, it’s typical to install the tubing in a “home run” system. This means that each area or zone that is heated gets a single length of tubing that runs out from the manifold, around the area to be heated, and back to the central manifold. This isolates each area and reduces the chance of both leaks and hot or cold spots in the floor.
Installation and Tools
- Meet ASTM F2098
- This cinch tool is universal and works with stainless steel clamps of sizes 3/8, 1/2, 5/8, 3/4 and 1-inch
- It can be used with any ASTM F2098 stainless steel clamps from any manufacturer.
- The ratchet safety-function bring fast and reliable installation
- This tool is factory adjusted and we offer a calibration tool in case you want to have adjustment after longtime using.
XLPE tubing is easily cut with a knife and it is important not to kink the tubing, which could weaken it. There are specialized tools that make the job a snap:
- a PEX pipe expander to widen the tip so you can easily slip it onto a fitting
- copper or stainless crimp rings
- a crimping tool to join the parts together
There are also systems that use a compression fitting to seal the tubing.
Cross-linked polyethylene piping is a widely-used, reliable and versatile tubing ideally suited for radiant floor heating and other plumbing applications. Shop Related Products
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