What is pipe isolation and why it is needed? Pipe isolation most often means insulation of different types of pipes (these can be pipes of the water supply, heating system, sewer). This allows you to significantly reduce costs and increase the efficiency of all systems. In addition, insulation is necessary for heating pipes, as it helps to maintain their temperature and contributes to a longer service life.
But do not think that there is a single and universal way of isolation. Method and material are selected in accordance with the needs and specific operating conditions. Thus, heating, ventilation systems, systems of both cold and hot water supply, technical power pipelines, and refrigeration equipment systems can be isolated.
Different materials are used to insulate the pipes, they can be rolled, casual, piece, combined or in the form of a casing (they are also called “insulation of the shell for pipes”). The material for isolation is selected based on the totality of the conditions: the condition of operation and the environment, what kind of liquid and what temperature passes through pipes, which diameter and type of pipes are used and some others are used.
Note that the materials for isolation are divided into several groups, depending on the type of application. So, isolation is distinguished, which is applied on the principle of coating or painting, winding. In addition, insulation material can be piece and lay in the form of individual elements.
Coloring insulation
According to the principle of coloring, insulation of pipes based on buzzril is applied (it is also called heat -lifetime). The composition is made on the basis of perlite, ceramics and foam glass with the addition of a number of other elements. The advantage of this type of isolation is its environmental friendliness. This means that the composition can be used to thermal insulation of pipes in residential premises. In addition, due to the fact that the composition is quite liquid, it easily penetrates into hard -to -reach places.
Crystal materials
Crystaline isolation includes refractory clay, asbestos -based powder. Such isolation for heating pipes is convenient in that the layer of only two millimeters can replace the insulating material, the thickness of which reaches a few centimeters. At the same time, asbestos powder, for example, can withstand heating to several hundred degrees, so this type of isolation, despite the complexity of application, is highly in demand in industry and production. In addition, a significant plus of this type of isolation is a low price.
Figor isolation of pipes
Among the most popular piece (or roll) insulating materials is mineral wool. Its styling is enough to simply do it with your own hands even in the absence of great experience and skills in conducting such work. Just remember that when working with mineral wool, you should definitely wear gloves and a mask, since cotton fibers can cause an allergic reaction and skin irritation. Among the positive properties of this material, it is worth mentioning its excellent fire resistance with a low level of thermal conductivity. Vata is actively used not only as isolation for pipes of cold water or heating of a separate apartment or house, but also for trunk pipelines.
Mineral wool is sold in the form of rolls or individual mats. In the case when the material has an additional laminated layer, this increases its strength. The most durability is the so -called lamella mats from cotton wool.
Insulation using mineral wool cylinders – video in this article.
Casing insulation
Among the materials for isolation, which are fixed on pipes in the form of a casing, several types are distinguished. The most durable and effective are shells from polyurethane foam for pipe insulation. What is it? Between the pipe and the outer membrane of the metal, polyurethane foam is laid. This allows you to create a holistic design, very durable and with a high level of insulation. Less durable, but much cheaper as isolating material foam (polystyrene foam). Keep in mind that it will not withstand high temperatures, since it is not distinguished by high fire resistance. Nevertheless, this material is cheap, lasts up to 50 years and the installation of this type of insulation is very simple, you do not even need instructions. In this case, you just need to connect two halves of the pipe together, fixing them with a special lock (look at the photo). The only difficult point is that the pipes that match the diameter should be selected.
The “Czech” for pipe from foamed polyethylene is also very popular. In appearance, it resembles a pipe that needs to be cut at the seam and put on a heating or water supply pipe. The seam should be very neatly isolated. This type of isolation is universal, since it allows not only to keep heat, but also to protect your pipe from outside influences, including it is very resistant to chemical and physical effects. Serves, according to manufacturers, up to 25 years.
Another type of material for isolation from the same group is a foamed rubber. It differs in the same properties that polyethylene, but also unique fire resistance. When ignited, he will go out by itself.
For insulation, foil is also often used. It prevents heat and does not pass cold air. In addition, due to the stiffness of the foil, it protects the pipe from mechanical influences.
Winding materials
Among the popular and functional winding materials include Litcan tape for pipes insulation.
Litor is a polymer-bitout tape, which is used as a means of additional protection of pipes from corrosion, but has a number of restrictions on using. So, it is recommended to use it if the temperature of both pipes and the surrounding air does not exceed forty degrees. It is widely used for pipelines underground. A layer of protection created using this tape is very smooth, without breaks. But does not exceed half a million. The liter is simply mounted enough, but there are 2 technologies: with the tape and laying of the cold tape.
Another type of winding material, which has found very widely used especially in everyday life, is a sticky PVC tape for pipe isolation. Such a tape also prevents the corrosion of pipes, protecting them from harmful effects. It also allows you to ensure complete waterproofing, provided that the correct application is, since this tape does not absorb water. It is also resistant to mold and fungi. Due to its stickiness, it is characterized by high strength. But cannot be used at temperatures above or below 30 degrees, which significantly narrows its application zone. PVC tape is made in several modifications: different widths and thicknesses. When buying, professionals recommend checking a roll for surface smoothness and lack of visible defects. When installing the tape, it should be glued to the pipe diagonally, with an overlap on the previous layer to ensure maximum insulation and lack of holes in isolation.
As you can see, today there are a huge number of materials for insulating pipes and when choosing it is worth carefully considering and taking into account all the features of operation in your particular case.