What is a welding machine for polypropylene pipes?
Both experienced builders and novice craftsmen are increasingly using light and durable plastic pipes when installing sewage and water pipes. Among them, polypropylene are the champions in strength and reliability, and they, thanks to improved thermophysical properties, are used in hot water supply systems. The installation procedure is not difficult: they use gluing, crimping with couplings or welding. The latter type of connection is the most reliable and affordable, and therefore - popular. It is enough to purchase a welding machine for polypropylene pipes and master a simple technology.
Features of the welding process of polypropylene
Installation of polypropylene pipes is carried out using several types of welding: socket, socket and butt. The latter option is the most economical, since it does not require additional parts, but with the first two, more fittings and couplings are required.
Welding a plastic pipe with a plastic fitting
For connection, a special apparatus for welding polypropylene pipes is used, reminiscent of a soldering iron according to the principle of operation. With its help, the contacted surfaces are heated, then connected in one of the three ways listed above.
The fastest, most economical and reliable is flash butt welding; when it is used, the processed and heated ends of the pipes are joined under pressure. The weld thus obtained is as strong as the pipe itself. The main condition for an effective connection is a sufficient temperature, you should choose devices that are able to provide heating at 260 ° C.
What equipment is there?
Any welding machine is a device with the help of which by increasing the temperature of the connected sections and their deformation, an integral connection is created. It is clear that the welding machine for polyethylene pipes (plastic) and for metal has structural differences.
Conventionally, all welding equipment for polypropylene pipes can be divided into two types:
- Mechanical welding machine plastic pipes are used when a lot of effort is required when combining joints or it is necessary to connect pipes of a sufficiently large diameter.
- Manual welding machine for plastic pipes is ideal for independent use and can be used to connect pipes of different diameters, up to 125 mm.
Let's talk more about each of them.
Mechanical welding machine
The mechanical welding machine for soldering polypropylene pipes is a support frame with an instrument unit and a hydraulic unit. On the right and on the left are grips consisting of each of two half rings. Between the grippers set liners for optimal pressure distribution and alignment, their inner diameter corresponds to the diameter of the welded pipes.
A mechanical welding unit is most often used for welding large diameter plastic pipes
To align the ends of the pipes, an electric trimmer is used - a rotating disk with double-sided knives, which is equipped with a locking mechanism for safety. The main element is heating, it is a metal disk with a non-stick coating, inside it there are heating elements. As a rule, it is equipped with temperature controllers and temperature control sensors.
Manual welding machine (iron)
It is clear that the average layman will hardly have to lay long lines, so the need for a bulky unit is unlikely to arise.
The most common, well-proven option for installing pipes is an iron for welding polypropylene pipes. By the principle of device and operation, it is very similar to this familiar household appliance, it differs, perhaps, in design.
It consists of a heating plate, a temperature regulator and an ergonomic handle. In the heating plate there are two holes (sometimes more) in which paired welded (welding) elements of different diameters are attached. Their main feature is a Teflon coating, which does not allow plastic to adhere to a heated surface.
The manual welding machine for polypropylene pipes of the "iron" type is most convenient for small volumes of work
Teflon or other non-stick welding nozzles
What equipment is suitable for you?
Each manufacturing company offers its own version of a complete set of welding equipment, but from the whole variety three basic ones can be distinguished, which are most often found:
- The device with a key for nozzles, without any other equipment. Such a "modest" option is suitable for welding pipes of one or two diameters.
- A set consisting of an apparatus and several of the most “popular” nozzles (20, 25, 32 and 40 mm). It is usually sold in a convenient case. Nozzles, if necessary, can be purchased.
- Full set. It is more often chosen by professionals, but it will not hurt the thrifty "amateur" either. In the suitcase you will find not only a welding machine and a complete set of nozzles, but also other accessories and tools necessary for welding.
Each apparatus for soldering polypropylene pipes has an instruction manual. We remind you that before any work begins, it must be studied in the most careful way.
Depending on the need, you can choose both a “modest” version of the equipment and a complete set for professionals
What to consider when buying?
If you are going to independently carry out the installation of plastic pipes by welding, then you should opt for a small iron-type device. Which equipment option to choose, “modest” or not, depends on the amount of work ahead and the amount that you don’t mind donating to buy a welding machine. By purchasing immediately a complete set of necessary nozzles and tools, you can save both time and money.
