For many
years,
copper
and black
iron have
been the
overwhelming
favorite
for plumbing
compressed-air
systems.
However,
recent
advances
in materials technology have made thermoplastic pipe a
safe and
economical alternative to traditional materials.
A big advantage
of metal
pipe, tubing,
and fittings is that installers are familiar with them
and the
techniques
for joining
them. While
black iron
is inexpensive,
installation is time
consuming
and labor
intensive. Moreover,
threaded
joints often serve
as a source
of leakage.
This leads
to higher
operating costs because compressors must operate
overtime
to compensate
for the
leakage.
Although
connections
between
copper
pipe and fittings are less prone to leakage, copper
components
are more
expensive,
and installation,
again,
is labor intensive especially when large diameters
are involved.
But these aren't the only drawbacks to metal piping systems. Interior corrosion can cause scaling and pitting on inside surfaces.
As the corrosion products combine with moisture and other contaminants, they accumulate on the inner surfaces of the pipe and fittings,
increasing their roughness. As the internal diameter becomes rougher, pressure drop though the system increases.
Again, this ends up costing money by reducing efficiency of the compressed air system. Perhaps more importantly,
particles can dislodge and clog or damage end-of-line equipment.
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