Compressed Air Piping Material
Unlike gas and water lines air compression lines don t require perfect joints so don t worry if they leak a tiny bit.
Compressed air piping material. Black iron pipe creates rust silt and sediment which can ruin your equipment. Question is there any benefit to using 1 1 4 copper pipe instead of 3 4 pipe for my air lines. For plastic there is a whole range of plastic types all with their own characteristics. May 15th 2020 at.
I mean besides the obvious storage increase. However just as hearts can fail due to clogged arteries compressors can fail due to poor piping. It can be installed with no special tools such as welders threaders etc. Compressed air piping materials can be divided into two basic types.
Iron pipe is one of the oldest compressed air piping materials used. Iron pipe is available in galvanized or raw black form. It is also an osha violation to use pvc for compressed air distribution which means you could incur a hefty fine. Guide to compressed air piping systems last updated on.
The compressed air piping materials can be divided into two basic types. Hardware stores will cut and thread the ends for you. Non metal pipe is commonly called thermoplastic pipe. Plastic compressed air piping is cheap lightweight easy to install and non corrosive.
These failures combined with air under pressure are potentially fatal due to the airborne razor sharp shrapnel. It is lighter than most metal and easier to handle. For steel pipes we have plain steel stainless steel copper and galvanized steel pipes that are often used. The presence of air compressor oils in the line and heat from the compressed air accelerates the degradation of pvc.
Choosing compressed air line piping materials here s a long detailed and well informed discussion about air supply pipe materials sizing and layout. In the old days compressed air pipes where made of plain steel. Plus osha has banned the use of pvc piping for compressed air in above ground applications. Installation is straightforward or can be done by a plumber and fittings are available at your local hardware store.
Here are some of the most common materials used for compressed air piping and the pros and cons of each. As with most decisions the choice in piping material comes down to tradeoffs between cost performance longevity and aesthetics. Measure the pipe runs and buy exact lengths. If you don t want to solder use galvanized or black steel pipe.
In our experience thermoplastic should be used only in some air compressor inlet piping situations which are not. Rapidair products deliver safe compressed air. Using pvc for compressed air is a safety liability you don t want to gamble on. Nowadays there are many different steel and non steel types of piping.