Air Lines (pipework)

[NeilH]

ive read stuff like that too mate. but apart from internet myth, ive never heard or seen it happen in real life.

everywhere u see it for sale is says specifically that it is for compressed air use.

i worked in a peugeot dealership once where this stuff was throughout the workshop. its good stuff.

also, in my opinion, if there was a weak spot where this pipe blew, i dont think it would explode into shards, i think it would just create a big crack (ohhhhh errr)

 

[malcolm]

How to shatter a PCV pipe

I would hate for someone to chose the wrong pipe based on unclear advice from this website.

SOME plastic pipe is fine for compressed air. Some types of plastic pipe can become brittle when they become cold, and compressed air helps get them cold.

 

[shenion]

Yes, PVC used for plumbing is not applicable.

One of the issues is it is not for exposed use. It is not treated for UV; so shop lights or sun if outside will make it brittle.

The high oxygen content may be an issue also. I know my galv pipes have a lot of white oxide on them after being used for air lines.

There have also been warnings about using copper pipe. They say the fittings will blow out. Probably the same as the galv issue, the lead in solder oxidizes under pressure weakening the joints. That is why i used lead-free solder on mine. Note: HVAC uses the same pipe that reaches 300PSI (20bar) with no problems as they use silver solder.

 

[NeilH]

How to shatter a PCV pipe

I would hate for someone to chose the wrong pipe based on unclear advice from this website.

SOME plastic pipe is fine for compressed air. Some types of plastic pipe can become brittle when they become cold, and compressed air helps get them cold.

yes, yes its always possible for something bad to happen. you could get knocked down by a bus walking accross the street.

the pipe in the link i posted ia nylon, not PVC, and is described as for compressed air use. EDIT - link on previous page

Yes, PVC used for plumbing is not applicable.

One of the issues is it is not for exposed use. It is not treated for UV; so shop lights or sun if outside will make it brittle.

The high oxygen content may be an issue also. I know my galv pipes have a lot of white oxide on them after being used for air lines.

There have also been warnings about using copper pipe. They say the fittings will blow out. Probably the same as the galv issue, the lead in solder oxidizes under pressure weakening the joints. That is why i used lead-free solder on mine. Note: HVAC uses the same pipe that reaches 300PSI (20bar) with no problems as they use silver solder.

my point exactly, when dealing with pipe pumped up to circa 10bar something could give way no matter what u use.

every time somebody has told me this stuff explodes, ive asked them have they ever seen it happen, or even heard of it happening, and the truth is, they have just read it on the internet.

 

[scott0031]

This old thread is an interesting read and has some useful info.

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=14448&highlight=air

To save me re-writing it all again take a look at my posts on page 2, more specifically my post No's 14 and 16. That's what i used and to date have still not had one problem not even a leaking fitting. It works fine it's cheap and easy to do, perfectly safe, as with everything if not abused.


Kind regards,


Scott (ward engineering)

 

[malcolm]

Think we are at cross purposes then. That's good. There is plastic pipe sold for compressed air which is the type that does not become brittle. That sounds like the stuff you are looking at.

 

[Rick]

How to shatter a PCV pipe

I would hate for someone to chose the wrong pipe based on unclear advice from this website.

SOME plastic pipe is fine for compressed air. Some types of plastic pipe can become brittle when they become cold, and compressed air helps get them cold.

The link starts by saying. "dip the pipe in liquid nitrogen".....

Theres cold and then theres -196!

 

[the snooper]

How to shatter a PCV pipe

I would hate for someone to chose the wrong pipe based on unclear advice from this website.

SOME plastic pipe is fine for compressed air. Some types of plastic pipe can become brittle when they become cold, and compressed air helps get them cold.

people should ask the supplier if its fit for whatever purpose they intend to use it for before purchasing it.

 

[NeilH]

people should ask the supplier if its fit for whatever purpose they intend to use it for before purchasing it.

yes, just incase they want to dip it in liquid nitrogen

 

[madkayaker]

i was in a truck garage the other day (after ali sheet) and they are using alkathine pipe (blue underground water pipe) for there pipework

 

[Shox Dr]

It may well be Alkathine, however the real stuff is Blue as well just a bit lighter in colour

 

[madkayaker]

that the word i was after