PEX Al PEX vs PEX Piping

PEX(Cross-linked polyethylene) has become the new standard in the plumbing business. PEX is increasingly gradually replacing galvanized steel and copper in renovation and new building projects.

Unlike the older options, it is fairly affordable and reasonably simple to install. So, whether you’re working on a large construction project or simply doing some DIY, PEX is a wonderful addition to your plumbing equipment collection. The choice between Barrier PEX, Non-Barrier PEX, and PEX-AL-PEX is primarily determined by the project at hand and the additional components you will deal with. Let’s take a look at the difference between PEX-Al-PEX and PEX solutions.

PEX-AL-PEX

PEX-AL-PEX piping is a crosslinked polyethylene composite pressure pipe that has been coextruded with a welded aluminum tube reinforced between the inner and outer layers. A melt adhesive is used to join the outer and inner crosslinked polyethylene layers to the metal tube.

PEX-AL-PEX is an oxygen-barrier three-layer PEX tubing. PEX-AL-PEX has a PEX layer, an aluminum layer, and another PEX layer. The fundamental advantage of PEX-AL-PEX is that it retains its form.

Where typical PEX is flexible, nothing holds it in place until it is tied down every few feet. When you bend PEX-AL-PEX, it holds that shape until you twist it again.

PEX-AL-PEX also expands less than regular PEX, with the aluminum layer ensuring that it retains its form. PEX-AL-PEX is commonly used in warm board systems, outdoor heating systems, and high-temperature systems such as baseboards and fan coils.

Applications for PEX-AL-PEX

• Residential and commercial hot and cold water plumbing distribution
• Systems for radiant heating and cooling (walls, floors, ceilings)
• Distribution and pipework for hydronic systems (fan coils, radiators, etc.)
• Turf conditioning/heating of the pitch
• Melting snow and ice outside
• Piped chilled water

Advantages of PEX-AL-PEX

• Safety of drinkable water and long-term dependability
• Resistance to tuberculation, corrosion, deposits
• Flexibility mixed with rigidity allows it to maintain its form.
• Less longitudinal linear thermal expansion/contraction than conventional PEX.
• The aluminum coating prevents oxygen from entering the pipe.
• Durability and toughness to withstand on-site installation
• Lightweight, tiny, and portable

PEX 

PEX pipe, also known as cross-linked polyethylene piping, is a form of flexible piping that has lately gained popularity. PEX was first utilized for radiant floor heating and soon gained popularity because of its low cost, high performance, and versatility.

PEX is distinct in that it is created by connecting polymer molecules in polyethylene, increasing its flexibility and endurance.

Advantages of PEX

• Lower installation costs. PEX pipe is around one-third the price of copper plumbing.
• Resistance to corrosion. PEX is able to withstand corrosion, mineral accumulation, and erosion, unlike copper and galvanized steel piping.
• Installation is simple. Many modest DIY jobs, such as installing PEX piping, do not need a plumbing license.
• Efficiency. Because PEX pipes have a smaller radius than other types of pipes, the time it takes to get hot water is shorter, resulting in less water wastage.
• The operation is quiet. Because PEX pipes are composed of synthetic plastic, you won’t have to worry about them rattling.

PEX-AL-PEX Vs PEX

Both of these pipe technologies are appropriate for plumbing systems and have been certified for usage in both residential and commercial piping systems. Nonetheless, each of these technologies has distinguishing characteristics that set it apart from the others. Some of these characteristics are as follows:

• Structure: The PEX-AL-PEX pipe features an aluminum layer that is attached to both the inner and outer layers. On the other hand, PEX is a basic extruded pipe with no coatings or other layers.
• Coil memory: Coil memory is the propensity of a pipe to return to its previous form. This characteristic is present in PEX pipes but not in PEX-AL-PEX pipes. PEX-AL-PEX keeps the shape that it has been bent into.
• Applications: PEX-AL-PEX piping systems are utilized for closed-loop hydronic, heating, and snow-melting systems, whereas PEX pipe fittings are employed for cold and hot water plumbing as well as open-loop hydronic heating systems.
• Weight: PEX-AL-PEX pipes weigh 7.0 pounds, whereas PEX pipes weigh 5.8 pounds. The added aluminum coating accounts for the greater weight of the PEX-AL-PEX pipes.
• Pressure ratings: The pressure ratings of these two pipe systems differ. PEX-AL-PEX pipes have pressure ratings of 160psi@73°F, 79psi@200°F, and 100psi@180°F, whereas PEX pipes have pressure ratings of 200psi@73°F, 125psi@180°F, and 160psi@140°F.
• Pricing: The prices of these two pipes vary, with the PEX-AL-PEX pipes being more expensive than the PEX pipes. This is mostly owing to its extra qualities that a PEX pipe does not have.

Conclusion

Now that you are well equipped with information on PEX-AL-PEX and PEX tubes we hope you are in a position to decide which one best fits your project needs. Also, deal with the most trustworthy manufacturers and suppliers to guarantee that you receive the highest quality and value for your money. TUBOMART is one of the most well-known PEX pipe manufacturers in the world.