Types of heating pipes (definition)

Types of pipes for heating — are different types of pipes used in heating systems to transport coolant, such as water or antifreeze. Each type of pipe has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages, which determine their use in specific conditions.

Main types of heating pipes:

1. Steel pipes:
   • Black steel - durable and resistant to high temperatures, but subject to corrosion and require protection from rust.
   • Stainless steel - are not subject to corrosion, durable, but more expensive.
2. Copper pipes:
   • Strong, durable and corrosion-resistant, with high thermal conductivity.
   • Easy to install and connect using soldering or press fittings.
   • Expensive, especially in large systems.
3. Polypropylene pipes (PPR):
   • Lightweight, corrosion-resistant and durable, easy to install using thermal welding.
   • Withstand high temperatures and pressures.
   • Disadvantage: relatively high coefficient of thermal expansion.
4. Metal-plastic pipes:
   • They consist of several layers: the inner and outer ones are made of polyethylene, the middle one is aluminum.
   • Flexible, easy to install, corrosion resistant and have a low coefficient of thermal expansion.
   • They are used for radiator heating and underfloor heating.
5. Polyethylene pipes (PEX and PE-RT):
   • PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) - flexible, resistant to high temperatures and pressure, easy to install.
   • PE-RT - less expensive, but also resistant to high temperatures and flexible.
   • Both varieties are widely used in underfloor heating and radiator heating systems.
6. Cast iron pipes:
   • Strong and durable, resistant to corrosion.
   • Heavy and labor-intensive to install, they are used mainly in old heating systems.

Application of types of pipes:

To choose what types of heating pipes you will need, you need to study the list of requirements depending on the operating conditions, cost, durability requirements and technical characteristics of the heating system. For example, for main systems in large buildings, steel or copper pipes may be preferable due to their strength and durability, while in private homes, polypropylene or metal-plastic pipes are often used due to their ease of installation and affordable price.

Each type of pipe has its own unique properties that make it suitable for specific tasks in heating systems. For example, cast iron pipes withstand water hammer, thermal loads and retain heat for a long time, they are installed in systems with stove-fireplace heating without buffer capacity or in industrial systems. Copper pipes are used for installation of the boiler circuit, they can be replaced with reinforced metal-plastic or steel pipes. Polypropylene pipes are used in everyday life for installation of water supply and heating.

The main criterion for choosing pipes for heating is the maximum operating temperature.