Connecting polypropylene pipes without welding. Connecting plastic pipes without using a soldering machine Connecting polypropylene pipes without welding

You can often see plastic pipes in apartments and private houses. The demand for such products in the last decade is justified by their low price, long service life and fundamental impossibility of rusting.

You can connect plastic pipes to each other not only with a soldering iron, but also alternative methods- using flanges, fittings, couplings or by gluing.

Compound plastic pipes without soldering it will not require large financial expenses. And you won’t have to get expensive soldering equipment from somewhere (obviously, not everyone has it) either.

It is worth admitting that the soldering process itself seems very complicated to some. A person must be able to properly handle a soldering machine, set the required pressure and temperature, and select solder. In general, in order to solder pipes efficiently, you really need to know a lot of nuances.

There is also an option such as soldering polypropylene pipes without a soldering iron. To do this, simply take solder paste (this is already sold in finished form a mixture of flux, solder powder and lubricant) is applied to the joint and heated. Moreover, instead of a soldering iron it is proposed to use gas burner or a lighter. But this method may also cause rejection for some, since here you have to deal with open fire.

Imagine a force majeure situation: a breakthrough occurred plastic water pipe. It can take a long time to restore its seal by soldering. And restoring the tightness of pipes connected without soldering can be carried out much faster - this is a really important advantage.

Connection with fittings

To connect plastic pipes without soldering, press fittings (also known as compression fittings) or new Belgian push fittings, which actually lock themselves.

Standard press fittings are usually made from steel alloy or cast iron. And they are best used for polypropylene or other plastic pipes of small diameter. The advantage of these plumbing products is that they can be used to build transitions between pipeline elements and connect them at different angles.

Most often, fittings are installed on bends and branches of a plastic pipeline. An ordinary press fitting consists of a main body, a cover, a sleeve and two rings: a clamping ring (it is located in a special socket) and a seam ring (it is used to fix the plastic pipe).

If we are talking about fittings with a diameter of less than fifty millimeters, then they can be installed manually, without additional devices and equipment. One more thing important rule. The plastic pipe must first be prepared before installing the fitting - cut, remove burrs, clean from dust and degrease. Such preparation must be carried out in any case, regardless of the chosen connection method.

After plastic product will be brought into an acceptable condition, you need to install a nut on it, previously removed from the fitting. Next, a clamping ring is put on this nut. Now you can insert the pipe into the fitting as far as it will go and secure it. The same actions must be done with the second pipe being connected.

Using flanges

You can connect plastic pipes with flanges without soldering. This joint is considered very reliable - metal flanges can withstand enormous positive temperatures and high pressure.

Today, even large-diameter pipelines are equipped with flanges. They provide a really strong connection.

Flanges for assembling household plastic pipelines are always threaded on one side only. As a rule, they are designed for a pressure of 1.6 MPa. At the same time, in stores you can find flange options with different sections - from 20 to 1200 mm.

The connection algorithm using flanges is quite simple. First of all, you need to carefully pull the flange onto the pipe and put it on sealing gasket made of rubber. The gasket should extend beyond the edge of the plastic pipe no more than one centimeter. Then the flange is carefully pushed onto this gasket.

At the next stage, joining with exactly the same flange of another plastic pipe is carried out. And the bolts here should be tightened very carefully. If you apply too much force, the plastic surface may crack.

Using couplings

An ordinary coupling for plastic pipelines is a fairly simple part in its design. It consists of:

cast iron body;
two nuts;
rubber gaskets;
four metal washers.

The coupling can be found at the nearest plumbing store, or, if you have certain skills and knowledge, you can make it yourself. In this case, the characteristics of the coupling must strictly correspond to the dimensions of the products being connected. Ordinary couplings are suitable for both pressure plastic pipelines and pipelines without pressure. With their help they provide reliable connection polypropylene without the use of a soldering iron.

To form a connection, the ends of the pipes must be inserted into the coupling so that they touch in the middle. The ends must pass through washers, gaskets and nuts. Then you need to tighten the nuts tightly so that the pressure on the gaskets is strong enough.

Joining plastic pipes with a coupling provides a 100% sealed seam, even without the use of soldering. But in certain cases, for example, if the pipe is short or adjacent directly to the floor (or other horizontal surface), it is not possible to install an ordinary coupling.

For such difficult cases, a clamping coupling was invented. How to use it? First you need to clean the edge of the plastic pipe. Then you need to unscrew the coupling and put all the fastening parts on the plastic product in the correct sequence. Moreover, the sealing ring should ultimately be located at a distance of at least one centimeter from the edge of the product.

Then you need to insert the body of the clamping coupling into the end of the plastic pipe. And then you need to move all the existing rings to this body and tighten the bolt. And to the thread located on the other side of the coupling, it will be necessary to attach an “American” fitting with a plastic pipe connected to it.

To control the strength of the connection, you must carefully pull the coupling towards you, holding the pipe to which it is attached with your free hand. The coupling must remain stationary. If it moves, it means that the wrong size part was selected. That is why it adheres so poorly to the pipeline. However, this is easy to fix - you just need to tighten the threads tighter.

Gluing method

Plastic pipes can also be glued, although many plumbers consider this method extremely unreliable. And therefore, in practice, glue for connecting pipes is used only in combination with fittings.

Before applying the glue, the pipe is cut and any burrs on it are removed. You also need to remove dust from it and thoroughly degrease those areas where glue is supposed to be applied (that is, you will have to buy special remedy for degreasing). Then you need to insert the pipe into the fitting to check how well they fit together.

Now you can apply a thin layer of glue to the place of future contact. Immediately after this, the pipe is inserted into the fitting all the way and held in this position for about two minutes so that the glue sets. And the remaining glue that appears on the outer surface is removed with a cloth.

The glue will dry in about 15-20 minutes. However, you only need to let water (or anything else) through the pipeline no earlier than after 24 hours.

Some types of plastic (for example, polypropylene) are very difficult to glue. To polypropylene parts well connected to each other, you will have to purchase high-quality glue specifically designed for this material.

We can conclude that there are plenty of ways to connect plastic pipes without soldering. The most reliable of them is considered to be the coupling method, and gluing helps only in an emergency situation and must be used with caution.

Pipelines made of polypropylene, if assembled with high quality, can last up to half a century without repair. Popularity of plastic communications in construction individual houses is explained, among other things, by the fact that installation polypropylene pipelines available for self-execution.

The choice of method for connecting plastic pipes depends on the availability of special tools, the nature of the materials being connected, and the purpose of the communications.

All methods for installing polypropylene pipes can be divided into two large categories. One involves welding materials by heating an organic polymer to a melting temperature. The second includes all “cold” joining methods, with the exception of cold welding.

Welded joints are called permanent joints. Diffusion processes are involved here. Homogeneous polymers are mixed at the molecular level, forming a monolith. This joining is the most durable, but requires a special tool or glue (for cold welding). The second disadvantage is the impossibility of temporarily dismantling communications without destroying part of the structure.
Detachable (threaded) connections are made using special fittings. They are used when joining thin-walled pipes of small diameter, when making structures from different materials, joining polypropylene with polyethylene, with metal elements.

Diffusion welding

A distinction is made between butt welding (pipe to pipe) and using additional fittings (socket welding). These are technologies based on the melting of polypropylene, which differ in the nuances of the work.

Diffusion sleeve welding is carried out on polypropylene pipes with a diameter of 16 to 40 mm.

Here the fitting serves to supply additional quantity polypropylene so that the connection is reliable.

For thicker-walled materials, butt welding is carried out, connecting the parts of the pipe directly, without the use of additional parts. Manufacturers of polypropylene materials offer fittings entirely from polymer materials, combined, with transition to thread for metal elements.

The fitting configuration is selected based on the characteristics of the pipeline. Manufacturers offer the following types of connecting elements:

corners, tees, couplings;
fittings for connecting elements of the same diameter with transition to another diameter;
all-polymer or polymer-metal combinations;
with internal and external thread.

Poly propylene pipes have long gained great popularity among consumers. Unlike metal options polypropylene pipes is much lighter in weight, and methods of connecting this type of communications do not require skills in working with a welding machine and metal cutting tool, as is the case with iron pipes.

Peculiarities

As with any other type of plumbing, installation of polypropylene pipes has a number of features.

When butt welding, the walls should not be thicker than 4 mm. The joining surfaces must be trimmed, and strict parallelism of the connected elements must be maintained. When docking, it is recommended to use special guides.
Since threading cannot be done on a polypropylene pipe, threaded fittings are used for threaded connections, and a sealant and Teflon tape are used to seal the connection.
When welding polypropylene pipes, it is necessary to ventilate the room. At negative temperature This type of work cannot be carried out indoors, since joining when the elements are insufficiently heated does not guarantee the tightness of the connection.

At welding work with polypropylene pipes, you need to heat the soldering iron to the desired temperature and place it on the stand. When working, you should follow safety precautions, as we're talking about O high temperature, amounting to 260 C.

To ensure a high-quality connection of elements, it is necessary to maintain the melting time required for a certain pipe diameter.

Below are the diameters and time intervals.

16 mm – 5 sec;
20 mm – 6 sec;
25 mm – 7 sec;
32 mm – 8 sec;
40 mm – 12 sec;
50 mm – 24 sec;
63 mm – 40 sec.

What is necessary?

To install polypropylene pipes you will need special tools for cutting and joining elements.

The list of tools includes devices such as:

pipe cutter;
welding machine;
stripping;
glue gun;
marker for marking;
connecting part and tape measure.

Pipe cutter for polypropylene pipes it is better to use a professional one - such a tool guarantees reliability and ideal straight cut, it will prevent the formation of burrs on the cut surface. When choosing a pipe cutter, you should consider the following: important parameter, as the minimum and maximum pipe diameter. You should choose a tool with a blade made of alloy steel only.

Welding machine manual type must have a thermostat and a heating plate with holes for installing nozzles. The welding machine requires a pair of Teflon-coated nozzles. It should be selected from famous brands that have proven themselves in the market, since tools from dubious manufacturers may fail during operation, which will stop all work.

Stripping can be done manually or in the form of an attachment to a drill.

To strip the outer layer, couplings with internal knives (shavers) are used. Select the diameter of the pipe being cleaned the correct coupling. They also use double-sided couplings that allow you to work with different diameters. To strip the inner layer of the pipe, use a trimmer with knives located inside. The pipe is inserted into the tool and rotated several times.
Strippers in the form of attachments on a drill differ from manual options only by the presence of a rod that is inserted into the tool chuck.

Glue gun can be used as an alternative to other types of connections. This tool has two advantages: glued seams are almost as reliable as welded and other joints, and the glue sets quickly. Such connectors perfectly fasten shaped parts and other elements.

Methods

There are several connection methods polypropylene communications. Choosing which method to use depends on the type of PP pipes and their purpose.

Cold welding is based on gluing elements with a special adhesive composition. It is applied to the parts that need to be connected. First, the surfaces to be bonded must be degreased. After applying the glue, wait a while and connect the pipe to the necessary element. After a short period of time (approximately 20 minutes), the connection will stabilize and be reliable.

Connection using steel or cast iron fittings. This method is suitable for pipelines with a small diameter. Typically, fittings are installed on bends and branches of communications. The fitting includes elements such as a cover, a sleeve and a clamping ring, which is located in the socket of the product. The pipe is fixed using the seam ring included in the fitting design.

When connecting with fittings, you must follow a step-by-step action plan:

the pipe cut must be made at a right angle;
it is necessary to remove all burrs on the surface to be joined;
then you need to install the nut from the fitting onto the pipe and put the clamping ring on it;
After this, you need to insert the pipe into the fitting and secure the connection with a clamping ring and nut.

Connections using flanges are considered very reliable and can withstand high temperatures and high pressures. This method is used when it is necessary to connect polypropylene pipes without resorting to welding. For connection, bolts are used that are screwed into the flange thread.

When connecting with flanges, the following installation rules must be observed:

at the pipe connection it is necessary to make a cut, avoiding the appearance of burrs;
the gasket that is installed on the cut must have a protrusion of 15 cm;
a gasket is placed on the flange and connected to another flange installed on another pipe to be connected;
The gaskets must be installed in such a way that their cross-section does not touch the bolts;
More than one gasket cannot be installed on a flange, as this will reduce the tightness.

Connection using couplings. To connect with couplings, you need to make a thread on the pipes for their subsequent installation and, to make the connection tight, wrap a little tow around it. The edges to be joined should be cut evenly and the location of the coupling should be marked with a marker. Then you need to apply lubricant to the coupling and install it on the pipe in the previously marked place.

Welding refers to the hot joining method. This type of connection is one of the most reliable, and its essence lies in the melting of polypropylene with a special apparatus under the influence of a temperature of 260 C. The elements heated to the required temperature are pressed tightly against each other, and after they cool, a reliable connection is formed. The time after joining until the final polymerization of polypropylene will take 20 minutes.

Before proceeding with the connection by welding, it is necessary to remove all irregularities and burrs, and if the pipe has a layer of foil, then it must be treated with a trimmer.

When connecting by welding, the following sequence of actions should be observed:

turn on the welding machine and heat it to a temperature of 260 C;
you need to put the device nozzles on the propylene pipes to be connected - this needs to be done very quickly;
when the elements to be welded begin to melt, they are removed from the apparatus;
connect the molten elements to each other by pressing firmly for 15 seconds;
The connected elements must be allowed to polymerize to fully set - this usually takes about 20 seconds.

Common mistakes when connecting by welding:

displacement of elements during welding at the moment of their heating;
when joining elements, they must not be rotated - otherwise the seam will be unreliable;
When welding the valves, the location of the valves was not taken into account, and they cannot move freely.

HDPE or PVC pipe can be connected by soldering. This is especially true for polyethylene construction.

How to connect?

In the case when you need to connect a polypropylene pipe to a metal one, you can use the threaded connection method. To do this, you will need special fittings, one end of which is smooth, and the other has a thread for a metal pipe. With this type of connection, the pipe diameter should not be more than 40 mm.

The thread on the fitting can be either external or internal. Smooth surface located with reverse side, needed for welding a plastic pipe. Mainly used for sealing flax tow, soaked in drying oil.

The tow should be applied to a maximum of two turns and in the direction of the thread.

Sequence of actions for the threaded installation method:

the pipe is cut at a right angle, its end is lubricated with grease, and then a thread is applied using a thread-cutting tool;
remove all shavings from the thread and seal the joint with tow;
a fitting is screwed onto the pipe thread;
the opposite smooth end of the coupling is welded to the polypropylene pipe.

Polypropylene pipes can be connected either by welding or cold. Greater preference is given to the first option, since it is considered the most reliable and durable.

Welded joint

Before welding, polypropylene pipes and fittings for them must be treated with a degreasing solution, and then allowed to dry - only after this procedure can you proceed directly to welding. Similar preparatory work necessary for any type of PP pipes with the exception of those reinforced with foil. U reinforced pipe The cut is cleaned using a special cleaning tool (shaver), into which the desired end of the pipe is inserted and turned several times. After cleaning, the upper part of the pipe must be degreased.

You must mark the pipe with a marker, marking the required distance to press it into the fitting. Then the end of the pipe must be placed on the mandrel and the fitting must be inserted into the sleeve of the welding machine. All actions should be done very quickly and clearly. After this, the connected elements are heated for a strictly allotted time.

After the elements to be welded have melted, they must be removed from the nozzles and the pipe quickly pressed into the fitting. The connection requires some force, since the elements to be welded must be pressed tightly and held in this position for some time. You should not clamp the joining elements for more than 20 seconds, as this time is quite enough for them to firmly set. After connecting, be sure to let it cool for a few minutes.

The most often used for this is the so-called cold welding. This technology involves the use of an adhesive composition special purpose and fittings.

Advantages of using pipe connections without hot soldering

If you are thinking about how to connect a polypropylene pipe to a polypropylene pipe, then you can use a method that involves the use of special fittings. This technique has many advantages, among which we can especially highlight the increased efficiency of installation of drainage and water supply systems, the reduction of the possibility of leaks that can occur during butt welding or when chemical compound. Among other things, the described technology is less labor-intensive and also requires less energy consumption. Among other things, it is associated with lower material consumption. they are quite cheap. Using fittings and glue, you can connect pipes of various diameters, which range from 6 to 400 millimeters.

Comparison of cold soldering with mechanical and welded joints

Before connecting a polypropylene pipe to a polypropylene pipe, you should consider all the advantages of the cold soldering method. Thus, this technique, with low material consumption, speed and quality of work performed, is not inferior to traditional welding. This gluing technology does not require the use of special equipment, which greatly simplifies manipulations. You don’t have to use a special machine designed for welding, which consumes quite an impressive amount of electricity during operation. Due to this, it is possible to reduce costs installation work. If you are faced with the task of how to connect a polypropylene pipe to a polypropylene pipe, then it is worth comparing the mechanical mating of elements using fittings. The latter technology is not so energy-intensive, but more material-intensive. This is due to the need to purchase additional fittings, which increases the cost of work.

Features of connection using fittings and glue

If you do not know how to connect a polypropylene pipe to a polypropylene pipe, then it is important to familiarize yourself with the technology. To do this, you will need to use glue, which is intended for connecting pipes to parts such as fittings. The latter are most often made from chlorinated polyvinyl chloride. After application, the glue begins to dissolve the surfaces of the parts by 1/3 of the thickness. This makes it possible to implement diffusion cold welding. On this process affected by air temperature and humidity. Before connecting polypropylene pipes using cold welding and fittings, you must ensure that the temperature environment ranges from 5 to 35 degrees. If there is a need to carry out installation work at temperatures below zero, then you should purchase frost-resistant glue, which can be applied until the thermometer drops to -18 degrees. If the work is carried out in hot weather, then gluing must be done in a much shorter time, which will eliminate the possibility of the composition drying out before the manipulations are completed. Before connecting polypropylene pipes using the described technology, you need to make sure that the glue has a uniform consistency, sufficient fluidity and does not have foreign inclusions.

During breaks between work, the container with the adhesive composition must be closed as tightly as possible, which will prevent the evaporation of volatile active components.

Technology for connecting pipes using fittings and glue

If you decide to use the cold connection method, then you need to use the technology described below. At the first stage, you need to cut off part of the pipe in such a way that you can obtain an element of the required length. For this purpose it is recommended to use a pipe cutter, special scissors or a hacksaw, the latter of which has fairly fine teeth.

If you are thinking about the question of how to properly connect polypropylene pipes, then at the next stage the end of the product is chamfered, and it is important to maintain an angle of 15 degrees. In the process of carrying out these manipulations, a chamfer is used; it is important to prevent the formation of burrs. The next step is to thoroughly clean the fitting socket, as well as the pipe, from dust, dirt and moisture.

In order to achieve effective cleaning of the connecting elements, you need to use cleaners designed for pipes made of CPVC. With the help of this composition it will be possible to prepare the surfaces well enough for further gluing.

Nuances of the work

If you are faced with the task of how to connect polypropylene pipes without a soldering iron, then at the next stage you can apply glue. In this case, you need to use a brush, carefully distributing the composition over the surface of the socket and pipe. Elements are inserted into each other to uniform distribution composition, you need to rotate the fitting 90 degrees relative to the pipe. The parts are fixed for 30 seconds, during which time they should not be rotated again. It is important to complete the entire process within 1 minute. If you are thinking about how to connect polypropylene pipes without soldering, then after gluing is completed, you need to check the presence of a bead, which is a uniform adhesive layer located around the circumference. You may have to get rid of excess glue using a soft rag.

Why is it worth using the cold method of joining plastic pipes?

Before connecting polypropylene pipes with fittings, you need to weigh all the positive negative sides other technologies. If we are talking about an adhesive connection, which was described above, then it is worth highlighting the advantages that it is possible to carry out high-quality installation of pipes even in those places that are especially difficult to access. The technician will not have to use additional expensive equipment that can consume a large amount of electricity during operation. It is possible to carry out the entire process independently, without resorting to the help of professional companies. In the process of gluing parts, a structure is formed monolithic type, which ensures the tightness of the joint. If you decide to use adhesive cold welding, then, unlike conventional welding, no sagging will form on the inner surface of the product, which can narrow the gap and contribute to the settling of solid particles.

Conclusion

If you connect polypropylene pipes to each other, following the simple rules and recommendations described above, then leaks and sagging of the pipeline will be eliminated. The service life of a pipeline installed using this method can reach 50 years.

Standard in the past metal pipes Today, they are increasingly being replaced by plastic, or more precisely, polypropylene (as well as PVC). And if a welding machine is usually used to install the former, then the polymer analogues are mounted using a special soldering iron. However, the latter may not be at hand at the moment when it is necessary to solder one of these pipes. Is there a way out of this situation? Actually yes. In addition, here we will look at soldering wires.

Installation of water supply, drainage and heating systems;
Repair work on heating and water supply systems;
The need to connect two wires;
Repairing the awning - sealing the holes.

Is there an alternative to a professional soldering iron for polypropylene pipes?

Before we sort out the soldering of wires and awnings, let's focus on the pipes. The machine for welding them costs several thousand rubles. Mostly professionals buy it for themselves, but for the average person this device simply will not pay for itself. In this regard, we have to look for an alternative option, which may become much more widespread in ordinary houses gas-burner.

This burner performs well both in repair and installation. At the same time, it can solder both small-diameter pipes and fairly large analogues. It is used not only for connecting pipes, but also as a means of installing plastic taps to control the flow of water into the pipeline.

Tips for joining polypropylene pipes without a soldering iron

The quality of the connection largely depends on the cleanliness and absence of grease on the pipes themselves. Therefore, before work, it is recommended to degrease and clean them from dirt;
All pipes, as well as fittings and other parts must be from the same manufacturer. This way you will be sure that the same temperature effect must be applied to connect them. In addition, you should not skimp on quality. Its absence may appear both during the soldering process and during subsequent operation;
Do not solder in cold conditions. If, for some reason, the room temperature has dropped by less than +5 degrees, the connection may be fragile;
It is recommended to practice on unnecessary sections of pipe.

Alternative - PVC pipes

There are plastic pipes that do not require soldering, since they can be glued together. In addition, they have all-plastic pipe threads located on the internal and external sides.

In addition, there is a special solvent-based cement for PVC and CPVC pipes. After treatment with this cement, the surface becomes soft and can be quickly glued together.

The procedure for soldering polypropylene pipes

Compilation detailed diagram, marking of turning points, location of taps, corners and other elements of the system;
Pipe cutting. It is best to take with a margin of 25 millimeters, which will be fused onto the fitting;
The pipe and fitting are heated using a burner. The temperature is approximately 280 degrees Celsius;
The fused elements are held together until they cool.

A universal method of soldering an awning

With the arrival of the warm season, the need for awnings increases. By placing a small tent on your property or taking a picnic, you may find an unpleasant surprise- a hole. Is it worth buying a new awning after this or can I somehow correct the situation?

For soldering we need construction hair dryer, which will have a special crevice nozzle, as well as a patch with a roller. After preliminary cleaning the damaged area and patching it from dust and grease, it is necessary to place the awning on a flat surface. Having attached the patch to it, we begin to heat both surfaces using a crevice nozzle, simultaneously securing it with a roller. The better you heat the surfaces, the better they will stick to each other. But here it is extremely important not to overdo it and not burn a hole.

Soldering wires without a soldering iron using soldering tape

Although regular soldering iron found in our homes much more often than its counterpart for plastic pipes, it still may not be at hand in right moment, when you need to connect two wires. Of course, you can try to twist them and wrap them with “blue electrical tape,” but this option is only temporary. At the same time, you can connect wires “forever” without a soldering iron.

A special soldering tape will help us with this, which allows us to create a durable polymer layer around the wire, providing a complete connection and insulation problem area. The stages of working with this tape are as follows:

Stripping the wires that we will connect and their subsequent twisting;
Removing the protective layer from the tape and wrapping it around the twisting area;
Heating the tape with an open flame until it melts and evenly covers the problem area. Regular matches are suitable for this;
After the tape has cooled, remove excess flux. The wire is fully connected and ready for further use.

Welding wires using special paste

Paste is used for connection various metals such as steel, nickel, copper and others. The reason for this versatility is that this material is produced on the basis of silver. In general, the paste contains flux, solder and binding components crushed to a powder state. In the vast majority of cases, this method is used for soldering small wires. So, if your favorite headphones are out of order, and you don’t have a soldering iron at hand, then ideal solution it will become just paste. The way to use it is extremely simple:

We clean the wires and twist them together;
Apply the paste to the twist area as evenly as possible;
With help a regular lighter the paste is heated until it melts and turns into a full-fledged solder;
After this, it is necessary to insulate all exposed parts of the wire. The ideal remedy This is what a heat shrink sleeve is for. We put it on the soldering area, then heat it up and get reliable insulation.