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Types of PEX Pipe

PEX Plumbers and other HVAC engeneers have of late embraced PEX materials due to their durability, affordable cost and efficiency. One of the commonly used PEX materials is PEX pipes. PEX pipes which are made from cross-linked polyethylene have been prefereed as an alternative to PVC's (Polyvinyl chloride) and copper due to their resilience in extreme temperatures and chemical corrosion. This has made them suitable for a wide range of plumbing and radiant heating systems for both domestic as well as industrial applications.

Types of PEX pipes

Depending on your area of application, there are basically 3 types of PEX pipe to choose from. There are 3 types of PEX pipes. They include PEX-a, PEX-b and PEX-c. Although all the PEX pipes are made through different processes, the structure of their composition is similar. PEX pipes are made through cross-linking polyethylene molecules to one another so as to achieve a resultant strong substance.

The classification of PEX pipes is based on the grade of the material in terms of strength and flexibility. PEX-a, PEX-b and PEX-c tells you that the three types were made from different processes, and so, the quality ranges from A as the highest, followed by B, and then C.

PEX-a - this is made through Engel process. The process uses peroxide to facilitate cross-linking of polyethylene molecules under a very high degree of heat above the melting point of the peroxide crystals. The Engel process results to PEX materials that are extremely strong and will little or no points of weaknesses.

PEX-b - this pipes are made through a process called moisture cure using a group of silicon hydrides that are analogous to the paraffin hydrocarbons, called Silane. The cross-linking process is aided by a certain degree of heat and moisture. This method poses some weaknesses where the chemical bonds are weaker, and so, PEX-b is not as strong as PEX-a, but more stiff.

PEX-c - These are made through passing the polyethylene molecules under an electronic beam several times to achieve cross-linking. Although this is the most energy efficient technique, PEX tube produced through this process are normally as strong as PEX-a or PEX-b. They are rather fragile and less consistent as compared to the other ones. They are however less expensive and more suitable to domestic uses, especially where the application environment is less susceptible to roughness.

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