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Prospective customers often think that PEX is some new or "wonder" product, when in fact it has been extensively used in Europe and America in excess of 30 years. This should not detract from the numerous new applications where PEX can be used. We have divided these applications into their respective genres which you will find on the left. Generally when we investigate applications for PEX, we look at the major advantages. Uponor PE-Xa pipe is a flexible, low weight material providing excellent resistance to high and low temperature at raised pressure.
Uponor PE-Xa as a material
Uponor PE-Xa is manufactured from high density polyethylene, a plastic raw material of extra-high molecular weight. PE stands for polyethylene and X for cross-linking. The material's chemical abbreviation is PE-X. Cross-linking makes Uponor PE-Xa extra-ordinarily strong. Of importance is that Uponor PE-Xa is manufactured using the Engel method, known as PEX-a.
Advantages:
Wide temperature range
Uponor PE-Xa tolerates temperatures from -100°C to +110°C. The material easily tolerates the cold and shows no tendency to brittleness at -140°C. It is soft and malleable at +133°C
PEX doesn't corrode or "rust”
Because PEX is a polymer, it is not susceptible to corrosion. This is a major advantage not only in removing the danger of oxides leeching into the drinking water as with copper, but also in chilled water applications could the vapor barrier be bridged. Furthermore, PEX is not susceptible to bacteriological attack as found in steel pipes. Many bacteria are active within pipe systems. With poor maintenance (widespread in Africa), PEX provides another distinct advantage. Even if no water treatment is carried out, the piping system is not damaged in any way.
Chemical resistance
Uponor PE-Xa has excellent resistance to chemicals and is used in a number of chemical processes. The resistance to abrasion is also very good. For example, Uponor PE-Xa is used in the steel industry to protect driving rollers and in slurry pumping applications.
Thermal memory
Uponor PE-Xa can be "repaired" if kinked by heating with a hot-air gun to 133°C (material becomes transparent). When allowed to cool, the material regains its original shape. The material can be formed into flanges in a production environment which reduces the number of fittings required.
Low-friction
Uponor PE-Xa polyethylene material has a lower friction coefficient when compared to other piping materials. This allows higher liquid velocity without the problems of erosion. The smooth surface makes it very difficult for deposits to accumulate, which in turn prevents restricted water flow. This removes the problem of bore reduction commonly found with steel pipes.
PEX is flexible
Bending can be carried out hot or cold. Small-radius bends of smaller dimensions can be made with a cold bending fixture. With larger sizes, being heated to 133°C they become transparent, and are then bent by means of a bending fixture to the required angle. Cooled in air or water, the bend is ready. Bending and flexibility makes it easier for the professional who gains the advantages of ease of handling and a faster installation time, with far fewer joints.
Easy to handle
Cutting is easy using shears. On larger sizes, a pipe cutter with large cutting wheel is used. Supplied in coils, 16x2mm Uponor PE-Xa pipe weighs in at only 10 kilograms per 100 meters, makes handling on-site child's play. Transporting is also easy. 3000 meters of 16mm PEX coils can be transported to site using a 1 ton vehicle.
No scrap value
Experience has shown that Uponor PE-Xa installations have little risk of theft from site due to not having any value as scrap. This reduces the risk when storing, transporting and installing. The advantage to the contractor is not having to guard the installed material against theft.
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