Compressed air and pvc pipe.

[Bsmith]

Copied this from another site, but I'm wondering what lorry/ trailer connection hoses and other hoses coiled like springs are made of?


Never Use PVC Pipe for Compressed Air by Brian S Elliott

So I’m thinking that compressed air discussions must be interesting to many of the member of this group. However, if this post is inappropriate for this site, Please let me know and I won’t post any more info graphics on compressed air topics.

The use of PVC Pipe for compressed air applications constitutes a severe safety hazard. Under no circumstances is PVC pipe or fittings to be used for compressed air! PVC pipe is not intended for compressed air applications because of the inherent stored energy of the gas. It is only intended for non-compressible fluids. The reason for this is that PVC pipe normally fractures when it fails. As the energy of the compressed air is released, a shock wave travels down the joint of pipe until it encounters a strong point, usually a fitting. As the shock wave propagates along the pipe, it continuously fractures and blasts out hundreds of razor sharp, high-speed shards of plastic. Personnel exposed this type of failure can sustain severe injuries.

To make matters worse, PVC can react with some compressor oils and form micro-surface cracks on the inside of the pipe and fittings. This, in turn, weakens the pipe and creates an almost perfect scenario for this type of failure. It should also be noted that the use of PVC pipe is in violation of all OSHA regulations regarding the use and distribution of compressed air in commercial and industrial applications.

 

[rtbcomp]

This has been discussed a few times on here, if you must use plastic pipe then only use pipes designed for compressed air.

 

[Burdekin]

Who's using drain pipe for compressed air?

 

[carbon]

Lorry air lines coiled or otherwise are made from nylon

DIN 74324 For the non coiled ie clipped to the vehicle chassis and depending on diameter is rated from approx 15 - 45 bar

And possibly DIN 73378 for the more flexible coiled hoses

 

[brightspark]

Lorry air lines coiled or otherwise are made from nylon

DIN 74324 For the non coiled ie clipped to the vehicle chassis and depending on diameter is rated from approx 15 - 45 bar

And possibly DIN 73378 for the more flexible coiled hoses

all pneumatic control airlines for compressed air are nylon pipe also beer lines

 

[winchman]

As per the quote PVC and ABS are used for water and chemicals, Nylon is for airPVC and ABS are prone to damage from UV and shock loadings from people hitting it or pressure spikes

 

[RWD3M]

I'm a big fan of Galv myself. I know plastic pipe does the job, is cheaper, easier to install, less prone to leaking at joints, blah blah blah...

But Galv just looks so right!

 

[carbon]

I'm a big fan of Galv myself. I know plastic pipe does the job, is cheaper, easier to install, less prone to leaking at joints, blah blah blah...

But Galv just looks so right!

Not very flexible though.

Just kidding, know what you mean about that, helped a friend install a plastic system. Whilst it didn’t take very long to install and was easy to modify I still prefer my threaded steel pipe even though it’s no bigger internally

 

[brightspark]

copper better conducts the heat away

 

[Farside]

PVC for compair is a Yank diy thing - many have fitted it and quite a few have been injured. Dodgy stuff, indeed. What leads them to think it's OK, is the availability of thick-walled PVC drain pipe, which we don't see much of here. Nobody here in their right mind would use ordinary PVC drain pipe for this, at least I hope so.
Otoh, I'm quite happy with the safety of my PEX-plumbed system. If that fails it will simply burst in a shardless fashion, unlike PVC. It might cause an unexpected bowel movement, though.

 

[WorkshopChris]

At the moment i am testing MDPE pipe and fittings all appears to be ok.
Cheap pipe and fast to fit and alter.