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Ultimate Guide to Composite Pipes

Where are Composite Pipes Used

Table of Contents

When it comes to applications that need highly durable piping systems, there can be nothing better than Composite pipes. These pipes can be used for a wide range of applications ranging from water supply systems for building supplying both hot and cold water, solar water heater systems, and in all places where there is a need for a durable and strong piping system. 

These super strong and extra durable piping systems are a must have in applications where there is an involvement of some moisture and water. These composite pipes are thus an excellent utility for all applications where the environment is highly corrosive.

In this piece, we will walk you through everything that you need to know about a composite pipe system including how they are made, their features along with their applications. Let us begin by first discussing what a Composite Pipe is all about?

What is Composite Pipe?

A Composite pipe is one of the greatest innovations that have been made recently in the piping systems. While the conventional pipes were first made out of metals and then when plastic was invented it turned to plastics. Both metal pipes and plastic pipes are still used in their own way. But both these piping systems had their own disadvantages as well. While the metal pipes would corrode often and easily, the plastic pipe systems may be influenced by temperature.

To overcome the disadvantages of metal and plastic PVC pipes, composite pipes a material that is a blend of highly durable materials was invented. And so to define :

Composite pipe are pipes that are made from high density thermoplastic materials which may be blended with other materials.

How are Composite Pipes made?

Composite Pipes are pipes that are a made from strong materials such as PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), HDPE (High Density Polyethylene), GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastics), FRP (Fiber Reinforced Plastics) etc. These pipes as such are thus made extremely strong to rule out and overcome the disadvantages of metal and plastic pipes.

Composite pipes as such are pipes that are made from a blend of reinforced high-density thermoplastics along with other materials added to increase their other properties that add to their durability and longevity.

These super strong high density composite pipes are made using either of the below two processes:

1. Filament Winding

In this process the fiber strands of the composite pipe material is made to pass through a liquid bath full of resin and then the strands are wound under high tension onto a mandrel that keeps rotating. Once the winding of the material is complete, it is then heated in an oven to make sure any imperfections go away. This is one of the most common processes of methods to make composite pipes. This process can be used to make pipes out of any of the materials mentioned earlier and more.

2. Centrifugal Casting

This method is more about using a mold to make the hollow tubes or pipes. This method as such involves filling the hollow tubular mold with heated polymer material and then heating the mold or the tool to melt the material completely, this tool rotates at a high rpm and then are cooled and removed from the mold or casting.

Both these methods are used in industries for manufacturing of Composite Pipes of all heavy duty materials. And as such both these methods are used based on the availability of tools and methods adopted by the manufacturers.

Now that we know how these pipes are made, let us now see the various features and properties of the composite pipes.

LESSO Steel-plastic composite pipes

Features of Composite Pipes

Composite pipes are made from special processes and materials so that they can provide for the required strength, durability, and longevity that is required for these Composite Pipe fittings to function well. These composite pipes are known for the following features:

1. Corrosion Resistant

Steel-plastic composite pipes can be used in high moisture environments without being corroded very easily. These pipes can resist corrosion in harsh and high moisture environments to a great extent thereby making them a perfect utility in water supply systems.

2. Free of Scaling

Plastic-coated steel-plastic composite pipes do not let scaling to occur. These are made from materials that make them free of scales both on the external and the internal surfaces.

3. Inert or Unreactive to chemicals & acids

Aluminum-plastic composite pipes due to their composition are inert and unreactive to any kind of chemicals or acids that make them suitable for heavy duty applications.

4. High Temperature Handling Range of up to 110 degrees

Aluminum-plastic composite pipes can operate and can be used in high operating temperatures of up to 110 degrees Celsius making them perfect to be used in high temperature environments like hot water supply and water heating systems.

5. Strong, Sturdy, and Highly Durable

Aluminum-plastic composite pipes are made from materials that make them extremely strong and sturdy which is required for any piping system that is installed in the exteriors or the interiors.

6. Better Resistance to External Pressure and Forces

Since the steel-plastic composite pipes are very strong, they have a high resistance to pressure and force application, that makes it easy to install these pipes underground or areas that need force and pressure while installation.

7. Easy to Clean and maintain

Since Plastic-coated steel-plastic composite pipes are made from reinforced thermoplastics they are easy to clean, and maintain. They can simply be wiped with a cloth and that will ensure that the pipes are clean and nice.

Where are Composite Pipes used?

Due to all the features that we mentioned above and more, Composite pipe and fittings can be used in a wide range of applications which can be listed as below:

  1. Oil and Gas Pipeline systems
  2. Water Heater and Cooling Systems
  3. Water Transportation for Firefighting Systems
  4. Sewage and Drainage Systems
  5. Drinking Water Supply Systems
  6. Medical Oxygen Supply Systems

The application areas of composite pipes include the above but are not limited to this list. They can also be used in areas such as automotive, aerospace, construction, marine, and even in sports.

LESSO's Composite Pipes' Multiple Uses

One company that is making composite pipes that are a class apart is China Lesso. Lesso’s highly durable aluminum-plastic composite pipes can be used for a wide range of applications that can include transportation of chemical liquid, cabling and wiring systems, air conditioning, water supply systems, and more.

So, choose Lesso for all your Composite Piping Systems requirements right now and right away.

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