Corrugated stainless steel pipe is new material in plumbing, gaining popularity in the domestic market. Despite the fact that it was created by the Japanese at the end of the last century, it was supplied to the post-Soviet countries mainly from Korea and Germany.

Such pipes quickly proved their superiority over steel and plastic products. They have a lot of advantages - durability, high quality, ease of installation and reliability. During installation, various brass fittings of different diameters are used to reliably connect elements of a gas, plumbing or heating system. The production of fittings is carried out by companies that produce corrugated pipes.

Prices for corrugated stainless pipes

Corrugated pipes: features and characteristics

There are several types of such pipes. Depending on the diameter, they can be 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3.2 centimeters. Of course, it is possible to produce pipes of larger diameters, as well as with non-standard sizes, but all this is done to order.

Distinctive feature corrugated pipes it is believed that they are capable of operating over a wide temperature range. The lower limit is minus 50 C, so the products can be used for transporting liquid nitrogen or other low-temperature substances. The upper limit (which is plus 110 C) is due to the properties of the plastic elements connection fittings, while the pipe itself perfectly tolerates temperatures up to plus 800 C.

Corrugated stainless steel pipes are also good because they can withstand pressure changes without any consequences. The maximum level is fifty atmospheres, but if the product is of good quality, it will withstand a blow of two hundred and ten atmospheres.

Note! Most manufacturers say that guarantee period The lifespan of such products is 20 years. But provided that they are used in accordance with the technical requirements.

Video - Corrugated pipes

Basic criteria for choosing corrugated pipes

As already noted, the applications for the pipes described here are numerous. If we talk about living quarters, then this includes water supply, heating, and much more. You can equip the corrugation in a greenhouse to heat the soil, in a swimming pool to warm up the water, and use it to create heat exchangers for a variety of purposes. Depending on the manufacturer, the quality of the pipes may vary, so when choosing a particular model, a number of important points should be taken into account.

First of all, understand that all the necessary markings are indicated exclusively on the wrapper, since it is simply impossible to print it on a corrugated surface. Therefore, check the container for its integrity. The fact is that the difference between some types of products is so large that some unscrupulous sellers are trying to make money on this by substituting containers.

Seam on high-quality corrugation must be unbroken and even, with the same pitch and without any external damage. And if you bend it several times and straighten it, it should not leave any marks on the surface. You also need to pay attention to the following points:

• connecting elements must be complete;
• there should be no fractures or damage along the entire length of the products;
• Chips and cracks are also excluded.

Despite the fact that Japanese-made products are rightfully considered to be the best, Lately The Latvian brand Lavita is becoming increasingly popular. The quality of such corrugated pipes is in no way inferior to the quality of more famous manufacturers, but the cost is an order of magnitude lower.

How to choose pipes for heated floors

Note! The cost of corrugated stainless pipe varies widely. So, on average it is from 370 rubles to 1560 rubles per meter, although it all depends on the specific manufacturer.

Features of installation of corrugated pipes

Modern manufacturers produce corrugated pipes of various diameters (as mentioned above), thanks to which it is possible to equip heating and water supply networks how in country house, and in an ordinary apartment. From a technological point of view, there is nothing complicated in the installation procedure. All elements must be connected to each other using special brass fittings, the design of which is simple and at the same time reliable.

Frankly speaking, the installation process is a lot like installing a metal-plastic pipeline, for which compression fittings. Although in this kind of comparison this technology much easier.

Note! The most important point The thing to remember is that if pipes from the same manufacturer were purchased, then the fittings should be of the same brand. You should not try to save money by buying fittings from dubious companies, as such attempts can lead to an emergency when used.

The installation procedure itself is as follows.

Step 1. The fittings are connected to plumbing fixtures using special seals (they are included in the kit). After this, you need to check whether the nut on the connection side is tightened.

Step 2. The pipe is cut with any available tool (although ideally this should be done using a special roller pipe cutter). The edge of the pipe is checked for evenness and absence of burrs - if necessary, the product is adjusted.

Step 3. The pipe is inserted into the fitting, union nut tightened thoroughly.

Step 4. The pipe is given the desired configuration, after which it is attached to the wall using special fasteners.

Step 5. Upon completion of installation, water is supplied, and the corrugated stainless pipe is checked for functionality when high blood pressure. If leaks are detected, the nuts mentioned above are immediately tightened.

Video - Installation of corrugated pipes

Areas of application

The described pipes are used not only in engineering communications, but also in private construction and industrial facilities. More specifically, in those systems where the size and diameter of the pipes are insignificant:

• heating (this also includes “warm floors”);
• water pipes;
• wiring;
• gas pipelines;
• air conditioning and fire extinguishing systems.

And thanks to their strength and flexibility, they are extremely popular in the food, agricultural, chemical and pharmaceutical industries; Unlike plastic, corrugated pipes do not lose their properties or diameter after being crushed.

The popularity of pipes in residential construction should be discussed separately. Typically, installation work in cramped city apartments is associated with certain difficulties - for example, communications are redone several times due to the fact that a couple of millimeters were missing. But thanks to their aesthetics and flexibility, corrugated pipes are quite easy to install, and no plastering or chiseling of walls is required. Therefore, the installation procedure is equally easy both in the kitchen and in the toilet. The only thing you need is a few wrenches.

Main advantages

Corrugated pipes have their own strengths and weak sides. Let's start with the good.

Flaws

But there are, of course, disadvantages that must be taken into account when purchasing.

• Pipes get dirty easily, but they are very difficult to clean due to the large number of bends.
• The corrugation has fairly thin walls and does not withstand large mechanical loads. As a result, if necessary, it is protected with a special casing.
• Connection fittings require periodic inspection and Maintenance. It is necessary to regularly change the seal and other plastic parts, monitor the tightness of connections, etc.
• Due to their good heat transfer, stainless steel pipes cannot be used for heating without thermal insulation. Otherwise there will be significant heat loss.
• There are a number chemical elements, to which “stainless steel” is susceptible, so you need to take care of additional protection.

Production

Concerning production technology, then it is quite complex and requires the use of high-precision equipment. And this can also be considered an advantage, since multi-thousand flows of counterfeit products are excluded in this case.

In the production of corrugated pipe, high-quality steel strip is used, which original system bending machines turns into a tube. Next, this tube falls under the clamps and bends to a corrugated state. After this, the product is welded in a closed vessel filled with a special gas, which ensures high-quality seams and, in fact, all those properties for which the pipe is called stainless.

Upon completion of welding, the pipe is completely ready for use, so it can be sent to the consumer. But instead, another processing is carried out - firing - which has a positive effect on the quality of the product. The products are heated to a high temperature and quickly cooled, after which the plasticity of the metal (read: the number of bends/unbends) increases.

Note! It is visually impossible to distinguish a pipe subjected to heat treatment from a regular one, but the difference is noticeable in performance and, therefore, in cost.

Ends manufacturing process checking pipes for leaks. There is nothing complicated in checking: each product is immersed in water and air under pressure is passed through it; If there are no leaks, then everything is in order with the seal.

As a conclusion

According to statistics, installing a corrugated pipeline takes two to three times less time than if pipes made from other materials were used. For this reason, it is worth considering the possibility of using such products for other communication highways.

As you can see, such pipes are extremely convenient and practical, moreover, their installation takes little time and effort. That's all, good luck with your work and have a warm winter!

Corrugated pipes for heating are a new product on the market. They were invented in Japan, then they moved to Europe, and now they are conquering our market: the combination of the properties of stainless steel and the flexibility of corrugation turned out to be very successful, and installation is also very easy. Moreover, they can be used completely for wiring the system and only be built in small areas: connections to the boiler, radiators and other elements of the system (replace a leaky piece, for example).

Advantages and disadvantages

This type of material is becoming increasingly popular. And all because many problems are solved at once:

There are many advantages. And they are all valid. Now let's move on to the disadvantages:

As we can see, there are some shortcomings, but they have ways to be eliminated or leveled out, and they don’t look so scary.

How to make a corrugated pipe from stainless steel

The starting material is metal strip made of of stainless steel grade SUS(AISI)304. This strip is fed into forming machines, from which a cylindrical blank emerges. Next, it is welded automatically in the environment of special gases, which prevent the burning of alloying metals (it is they that give the “stainless” properties of steel, and when welding in an oxygen-containing environment, they evaporate, due to which the seams are destroyed in several years, and maybe months, depending on the conditions operation and transported environment).

The resulting pipe can be used and is called unannealed because the next stage is annealing. In this case, the corrugation is heated to high temperatures and then cooled. The result is an annealed corrugated stainless steel pipe. It has better strength characteristics (holds its shape better, the metal becomes more flexible, bends/unbends a large number of times without deformation and destruction), but also costs more. Externally there are no differences, but when bending unannealed products, distortions may appear, but this does not happen with annealed products. It is impossible to distinguish them by appearance, but the lack of markings on the pipes is also disappointing, and how, in fact, can one apply inscriptions to the “wavy” surface. The covers for the coils are marked, but they are easy to replace, and the difference in price can be quite significant. So in this case, you can only hope for the seller’s integrity (well, try bending it several times and see what comes out of it and, based on this, determine the type of product).

In this video, a section of a corrugated pipe is pressure tested. Impressive.

Manufacturers and what to look for when purchasing

There are currently the most Korean companies in our market:

• KOFULSO (“Kofulso”) – according to experts’ reviews best quality, since the first one appeared on the market and has enough great experience production. It has twice the thickness of the seal rings in the fittings, and the weight of the fittings and coils of pipes of the same name is greater. So the increased cost (compared to Hydrosta and Lavita) is justified.
• Lavita (“Lavita”) - performs quite well, but there may be problems in the fittings - sometimes when tightening, the metal ring cuts through the wall (may be due to an installation error - tightening the clamping ring), which causes leaks (per 100 fittings 1-2) - costs less than Cofulso.
• Hydrosta (“Hydrosta” or “Hidrosta”) - in one price category with Lavita, but there are complaints about leaking fittings: per 100 installed, 5-7 pieces leak.
• Neptune (“Neptune”) – characteristics and reviews could not be found;
• Meibes (Meibas) - there are no complaints about the quality, but there are some for the price - very expensive with approximately equal parameters to those given above in the list.

The reliability data was taken from the installer’s post on the forum, this is the result of several years of use: first we worked with Cofulso, then switched to the cheaper Lavita and Hirostat, after replacing fittings and, accordingly, customer complaints, we weighed, looked, and returned to KOFULSO.

What’s good about stainless corrugated pipe is that there are no fakes yet. Maybe because a lot of equipment is required, and the technology is quite complex. Or maybe because the market is just developing, and there is no frantic demand for such products yet.

The video shows the production process of stainless corrugated pipe.

To calculate the volume of the heating system, you may need information about the amount of water contained in a linear meter of corrugated pipe:

• 15 mm - 0.219 l;
• 20 mm - 0.447 l;
• 25 mm - 71 l;
• 32 mm - 0.982 l.

And about the square linear meter corrugations of the corresponding diameter:

• 15 mm - 0.064652 m2;
• 20 mm - 0.095004 m2;
• 25 mm - 0.121394 m2;
• 32 mm - 0.15218 m2.

What to pay attention to when purchasing: first, the pitch of the corrugation should be the same, the seam should be even and intact, there should be no chips, cracks or other damage. You can bend/unbend it several times - there should be no deformation or other consequences. When purchasing fittings, also pay attention to appearance and completeness, pay special attention to the condition and quality of the seal rings. The assortment of fittings is almost standard: all imaginable options are available in nature, but whether they will be available at each specific outlet is a question.

Installation of stainless corrugated pipe for heating

In addition to very good performance characteristics, what is attractive about this material is the fast and easy assembly pipelines. All you need is fittings and a wrench. To all heating devices connection is made using them. Select the required type (angle, tee, cross, etc.) and start connecting:

The transition from a regular pipe to a corrugated one occurs in a similar way: first, attach the appropriate fitting to the riser or branch, and then insert a corrugated stainless steel into its other end and tighten the ring. And no special adapters are needed.

The only thing you need to consider when installing corrugated stainless steel is that it is still flexible. Therefore, install fasteners more often than when laying conventional pipe shapes. This will have little effect on the cost - one fastener costs ten or two rubles, depending on the company, and even if you install them twice as often, the maximum that threatens you is an overrun of 200-300 rubles with an average length of the heating line.

Corrugated stainless steel appeared only a few years ago. Therefore, all operating experience amounts to several years. The maximum that we could find on the forums was 7 years. What is typical is no negative reviews– there are no reviews from those who have installed such pipes. There is a lot of negativity from specialists who produce other products from other materials, but they are all theoretical and speculative. Some are more true, others less so. The most plausible drawback is greater resistance to water flow than smooth-walled ones. Although none of those who installed flexible pipes for stainless steel heating, did not note the need for more powerful circulation pumps. For many, this system works with wall gas boilers. Moreover, heated floors and conventional wiring are used.

There is a message from the owner of an apartment in Moscow: he shares his impressions of the installation - just a year and a half ago he changed the wiring: the flight is normal, there are no problems. He also cites the words of the installers, whom he identified as competent specialists (according to the criteria: speed of work + skills). So, they said that they have been installing corrugated stainless steel hoses for 8 years (reported 1.5 years), there have been no problems/calls for repairs. When choosing between Kofulso and Lavita, they recommend “Kofulso” - the quality is better.

There are some recommendations (use experience) for “high-temperature” applications in environments above 110 o C. It is advised to periodically, approximately once a year, check the condition of the gaskets. After a specified period of time they become “woody”. To avoid leaks, it is recommended to replace it (it costs a few rubles), the replacement itself takes a couple of minutes to unscrew, assess the condition and, if necessary, install another one and tighten it. They just recommend not to overdo it when tightening - if you use a wrench, do it without fanaticism at all - high-quality fittings hold well even when tightened by hand, but if the gaskets are pinched, they lose elasticity much faster.

There is experience in using such stainless corrugation in a bathhouse floor screed: two circuits (30 m and 15 m). One of the pipes is braided (recommended to eliminate problems with the reaction of metal to concrete) and one without - in its pure form. There are no problems - they have been lying around for 5 years. If you take into account the conditions in the bathhouse: very high humidity and high temperature, periodic freezing/thawing, then corrugated pipes for laying heating in the floor in an ordinary apartment/house can definitely be used, because the conditions are much better than in a bathhouse.

Another owner of heated floors made from stainless corrugated pipes advises doing it according to the principle - one bay - one circuit and not sealing the fittings tightly, but installing combs. He used an unannealed pipe, which he tied to a grate (photo).

There is another heated floor made of 20 mm corrugation with a pitch of 20 cm. It also operates without problems.

The situation is similar with the Kofulso pipe piping and Lavita fittings in the boiler room - for two years of operation there were no accidents or leaks (the fittings were taken from another company due to the fact that they have metal gaskets, which seemed to the owner more reliable than polymer ones).

Some even make radiators from it. This is what it looks like (see photo). They say that it heats well, because the heat transfer area is large. It will be problematic to wash such a radiator, but the solution is to install a protective decorative screen.

Results

Judging by the reviews, the picture is even too rosy: no one is complaining. This is even a little alarming. But maybe it’s just that not much time has passed: they began to actively install stainless corrugated pipes for heating just a few years ago and the “sides” have not yet come out. Although, if there were serious problems, they would have already manifested themselves, and negative messages would definitely appear: a person is more inclined to describe why he does not like the product than to write about problem-free operation.

Whether or not to install stainless steel corrugation for heating is up to everyone to decide for themselves, but everything looks quite attractive: prices, characteristics and ease of installation. Even the reviews are encouraging.

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Flexible, hot, shiny: stainless steel pipes for heating

In this article I want to introduce the reader to a relatively new material - corrugated stainless pipe. We will study its key features, get acquainted with several samples from different manufacturers, compare corrugated stainless steel with competing solutions and explore the rules for its installation.

What it is

A stainless steel corrugated pipe for heating is a thin (with a wall thickness of 0.3 mm) corrugated stainless steel, obtained by rolling up an endless tape. Here is a typical metal composition:

Some grades of steel used in the production of corrugated pipes contain up to 30% molybdenum. It increases the toughness and strength of the metal.

For installation of pipes they are used compression fittings with high temperature silicone seals . When the union nut is tightened, the silicone ring compresses the corrugated pipe, eliminating spontaneous disconnection of the connection.

For installation in cold water supply systems, pipes are supplied with an outer polyethylene sheath. Polyethylene has a relatively low thermal conductivity and helps get rid of condensation. The same pipes can be used for heating: the shell will prevent possible burns at high coolant temperatures(for example, when installing a radiator in a children's room).

Stainless steel heating pipes are increasingly considered by consumers as the most promising, although not a budget option for arranging a heating system for your home. Due to the properties of the material, such pipes are not susceptible to corrosion - the main enemy of the lines responsible for delivering heat to homes. Once laid pipes from stainless steel - with correct implementation everyone installation work– will not require repairs for many decades. What can’t “boast” about are pipes made of ferrous metal, which begin to partially leak within 5-7 years after the start of operation.

Characteristics of stainless steel heating pipes

Welded stainless steel pipe. (pipe bending is made of stainless steel)

Having decided to purchase stainless steel heating pipes, the consumer is faced with three market offers:

• welded pipes made of stainless steel,
• seamless,
• corrugated.

Seamless steel pipes

What type, diameter, thickness of pipes are suitable in your case is determined taking into account:

• budget allocated for the purchase of rolled metal;
• the nature of the loads to which the heating system will be subjected;
• specifics external influences to the future line;
• technical features of the facility where pipe laying work is planned;
• system configuration;
• pressure indicators;
• temperature indicators.

Corrugated steel pipes

So, for gravity systems, pipes with a wide diameter are needed.

The pressure inside the heating lines of private houses is significantly less than in systems industrial purposes. Therefore, when choosing thin-walled products, the buyer does not risk anything. On the contrary, installing pipes with thinner walls will relieve excessive load on the foundation of the building.

Why is stainless steel better than other materials?

1. It is not susceptible to moisture, which prevents corrosion processes from developing inside the pipes and on their outside.
2. Lack of corrosion inside the pipes, ensures preservation chemical properties passing through the water system. This significantly extends the life of motors installed in forced-pressure systems.
3. The introduction of an increased amount of chromium into the stainless steel alloy makes the material resistant not only to moisture, but aggressive substances, for example, 50% hydrochloric acid.
4. Stainless steel is resistant to mechanical stress.
5. Seamless stainless steel pipes are particularly resistant to high pressure. Even if an emergency occurs at the substation and the resulting water hammer, the surface of the heating system with pipes made of stainless steel will not lose its tightness.
6. The material retains specifications under the influence of typical temperatures, does not change properties when the ambient temperature changes.

Rolled metal for heating systems from stainless steel

• resistant to corrosion and aggressive chemical environments;
• immune to the influence of temperature changes;
• withstands high pressure.

According to the method of production, stainless steel pipes are divided into hot-rolled and cold-rolled.

Stainless steel pipes have many advantages and are therefore resistant to many damages

By processing technique outer surface are divided into:

• matte,
• polished,
• mirrored

Welded rolled metal from non-ferrous metals for heating is obtained from sheet steel. The presence of a seam on such pipes is their “weak link”, since it creates, albeit scanty, a prerequisite for future leaks at the junction of the edges.

Seamless rolled metal made of stainless steel is more durable than welded metal, but more expensive. If the budget allows, then it is more advisable to use seamless pipes in the heating system of your home, which are the most resistant to all types of influences and loads.

As in the case of welded ones, seamless ones are connected using welding. On the one hand, this creates the preconditions for leaks in the future (subject to poor-quality welding of joints), on the other hand, it does not always suit home owners if the installation/replacement of the system is carried out in a residential building with expensive renovations on the premises. In this case, if the owners wish to install heating with pipes having the maximum long term operation, we can recommend corrugated pipes for them.

Corrugated heating pipes made of stainless steel are a relatively recent industrial achievement, which appeared thanks to the efforts of Japanese technologists.

Such pipes are made from steel strip, which is then molded under high temperatures (up to 1150 degrees)

Corrugated pipes have the longest service life

In addition to technical qualities similar to the performance characteristics of conventional heating pipes made of the same material, they have unique property- they can be bent without the use of additional equipment (R of the bend determines the diameter of the pipe). This allows:

• reduce the cost and reduce the duration of installation work - there is no need to use welding
• reduce the cost of purchasing connecting elements for underfloor heating systems.

Why is installing accordion pipes cheaper and easier?

When installing a corrugated pipe, the master only needs gas wrenches and a pipe cutter. To connect individual sections into one line, compression fittings are used, into which high-temperature silicone seals are inserted. After securing the ends of the pipes in the fitting, secure fastening is carried out by tightening the seal with a compression nut.

Disadvantages of pipes made of stainless steel accordion

• cannot compete with seamless or welded ones in resistance to particularly high temperatures;
• susceptible to mechanical stress (because of this, they are not recommended for installation in children's bedrooms and playrooms);
• may lose their tightness under the influence of certain alkalis and acids (cannot be installed in rooms where there is a possibility of aggressive chemicals getting on the surface of the heating system).

Installation of corrugated heating pipes is easy

Bottom line

When arranging a heating system at home, wanting to insure as much as possible against pipe leaks in the future, it is advisable to use pipes made of stainless steel. When laying a line in a newly built house with unfulfilled decorative and finishing work, you can safely weld pipes using welding. And remember, high quality a stainless steel pipe, the price of which does not exceed the market price, will be the most acceptable. If you choose a pipe for a heating system, then the conclusion is obvious, it’s better buy a stainless steel pipe.

IN residential buildings, where the use of burners with open flame impossible for safety reasons, the heating system can be completed using corrugated pipes. You can find out where to buy stainless steel heating pipes in your city by contacting a store that sells plumbing fixtures or building materials, or by using the capabilities of a virtual network.

Video review of a recent industry achievement - stainless steel corrugated pipes:

In this video you will learn more about what it is stainless steel corrugated pipe.

In the cold season, a continuous process of centralized heating of residential buildings, administrative and industrial buildings. Despite the simplicity of the heating mechanism, high-quality stainless pipes are required to ensure efficiency. Thanks to the use of a corrosion-resistant steel grade, these products are durable and reliable.

Types of stainless steel pipes for heating

According to the manufacturing method, this type of rolled metal can be:

• welded,
• seamless,
• thin-walled,
• thick-walled.

All stainless pipes are manufactured in accordance with existing quality standards and are monitored and tested. Heating with seamless products is the smartest option. After all, the process of trouble-free operation increases significantly compared to the service life of a stainless pipe with a seam. A thin-walled version of the product is perfect for a heating system. This is also the most profitable solution.

Features of the use of stainless steel pipes for heating

Thinking about buying of this product, do not forget about its relatively high cost. After all, a stainless steel pipe is made from expensive grades of steel. Also used in the production process additional processing surfaces. Therefore, using stainless steel pipes for heating is not always the most economical option. Its most important advantage is its long service life. Also, stainless steel pipe is widely used in supply systems drinking water. The corrosion-resistant alloy is harmless to humans.

The company "Verna-SK" is engaged in the sale of pipes highest quality, as for industrial enterprises, and for private clients. Optimal price conditions and high level service is what sets us apart from our competitors.

The corrugated type of heating pipes is very popular today. Made from corrosion-resistant steel, they are distinguished not only by their quality, but also by their ease of installation. To connect pipes of this type, you do not need welding machine and complex instruments. Their advantages during installation heating systems obvious. Corrugated pipe is flexible and strong, durable and reliable.

Using this type of rolled metal, not only the main network is installed, but also its other sections:

• connections to radiators,
• risers,
• intersection and routing nodes.

A large number of pipes are used to make compact heating batteries. After all steel products are supplied with different parameters: diameter, wall thickness, length. Electrically welded and seamless pipes are produced according to the following standards:

• straight-seam water and gas pipe- GOST 3262-75,
• seamless - GOST 8731-78 and GOST 8732-78.

The stainless steel pipe has a number of undeniable advantages, compared to similar products made from conventional steel. For all questions about ordering products, you can contact the specialists of the Verna-SK company. Our price lists for pipes are constantly updated with new items.

Cost of stainless steel seamless pipes

Cost of stainless steel welded pipes