What Is Multilayer Pipe
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Most people in the building services sector have heard of multilayer pipe. But how does it compare to traditional piping materials? Why should we consider moving away from existing tried and tested methods? These questions will be looked at over the course of this article.
What is Multilayer Pipe?
Multilayer pipe is a composite pipe built up of different layers. The aluminium core layer of multiskin allows the pipe to maintain its form when bent into shape. The internal and external PERT layers are more resistant to corrosion than their metallic counterparts. This ensures the pipe meets the most stringent requirements for drinking water systems. As a result, the multiskin pipe has the advantages of a plastic pipe while maintain the strength characteristics and shape retention of metallic pipes.
What are the main benefits over traditional piping?
Multiskins main strengths are its light weight, flexibility and resistance to corrosion.
Its light weight allows large coils of multiskin pipe to be transported easily to site. The pipe is typically supplied in coils of up to 100m as shown above. Also, when it gets to site there is less of a security issue, due to its low scrap value when compared to copper.
Its flexibility is a huge asset during installation. The pipe can be easily bent into shape by hand, this can vastly reduce the number of fittings required. Due to the internal aluminium layer this shape is retained and does not suffer the issue of thermal memory such as other synthetic pipes.
The corrosion resistance of the PERT layer means it can be used on both potable and sealed heating systems without issues. The lack of pipe corrosion will mean that the pipework life should be considerably longer. This should also lead to less issues caused by blockages in components such as HIUs. For this reason, we suggest using multiskin pipe on systems with HIUs.
There are also other benefits such as improved insulation properties compared to metallic pipes. They are also quieter and have lower pressure drops due to smoother finishes and less fittings.
