Aluminium tubes for compressed air VS Galvanized

The compressed air industry has long been dominated by galvanized steel and plastic pipes, materials borrowed from related industries such as the construction and plumbing sectors. Traditionally, engineers and installers have made consistent use of such systems due to low material costs, familiarity, and most of all, habit inherited from earlier times.

Currently, due to the tightening of health and safety regulations in the workplace, quality standards and a change in the thinking of the industry, new advances have been made. Possibly the most important is the development of piping systems specifically designed for the distribution of compressed air..

We present you the compressed air pipes.

Aluminium tubing was introduced to the industry in the late 1980s as an alternative to plastic and steel, yet it has remained relatively underutilized and not appreciated until recent years. This article presents the various differences between aluminium and plastic pipes, and the clear advantages that can be seen with the introduction of aluminium.

1. Aluminium allows better flow rates.

When comparing the inner diameter of aluminium to a plastic pipe of the same outer diameter, you will find a big and obvious advantage. The significantly thinner and stiffer aluminium wall provides a much larger internal diameter, resulting in much higher flow rates and reduced pressure drop compared to plastic of the same size.

Additionally, the leak-free seal created by many aluminium system fittings, along with the smooth bore on the inner surface of the pipe, leaves virtually no lip to cause turbulence and disrupt air flow.

2. Aluminium can withstand extreme conditions.

Aluminium pipes have proven to have a much higher climatic resistance than plastic. Unaffected by sunlight, aluminium exhibits extreme fire resistance and is capable of maintaining a constant working pressure of 15 bar at temperatures up to 80 ° C. In comparison, the integrity of plastic pipes can be compromised due to prolonged exposure to the sun, offering minimal fire resistance and experiencing a significant drop in maximum pressure as temperatures rise.

If installed correctly, the non-corrosive nature of aluminium will allow the compressed air network to function efficiently for much longer than any other alternative such as galvanized, plastic, etc.

3. Aluminium does not expand or contract..

Due to its heat-resistant composition, aluminium exhibits very minimal expansion and contraction under extreme temperature changes. Plastic, on the other hand, has been shown to expand up to 50mm per 100m of pipe, resulting in substantial buckling of the entire main ring system.

Also, while plastic is prone to sagging and bending due to heat expansion, aluminium maintains its shape, which means fewer clip clamps are needed during installation to preserve the long-term structure of the system.

4. Installation is quick and easy.

The rigid nature of aluminium prevents it from bending and falling, which means that even at long lengths, it requires fewer clips (every 2-3m). During installation, pipe handling is easy; however, once folded, it will retain its shape.

Plastic pipe, on the other hand, requires more time and labour to install, resulting in much higher labour costs. They are prone to substantial drops, more clips are required to hold the structure, and additional accessories are required to bend the pipe and keep it in shape.

The influx of aluminium compressed air systems into today’s market highlights it as the way of the future for air distribution. While the initial capital cost may be higher than plastic, the long-term savings in installation, maintenance, and production put aluminium at the forefront of the industry.

If you want to know more about approved aluminium piping for compressed air installations, visit JENDER.EU, leader in the supply and management of high quality aluminium piping, accessories and accessories for compressed air.