Compressed Air Piping Materials

Cleaner than black iron pipe.

Compressed air piping materials.

Black iron pipe creates rust silt and sediment which can ruin your equipment. May 15th 2020 at. Traditionally steel sometimes referred to as black iron and galvanized steel piping have been a common choice for compressed air systems. In our experience thermoplastic should be used only in some air compressor inlet piping situations which are not.

However just as hearts can fail due to clogged arteries compressors can fail due to poor piping. Iron pipe is available in galvanized or raw black form. Unlike gas and water lines air compression lines don t require perfect joints so don t worry if they leak a tiny bit. For steel pipes we have plain steel stainless steel copper and galvanized steel pipes that are often used.

It is lighter than most metal and easier to handle. However these materials suffer from some significant limitations. Using pvc for compressed air is a safety liability you don t want to gamble on. Guide to compressed air piping systems last updated on.

Measure the pipe runs and buy exact lengths. Plus osha has banned the use of pvc piping for compressed air in above ground applications. Rapidair products deliver safe compressed air. Compressed air piping materials can be divided into two basic types.

Here are some of the most common materials used for compressed air piping and the pros and cons of each. Hardware stores will cut and thread the ends for you. It can be installed with no special tools such as welders threaders etc. The presence of air compressor oils in the line and heat from the compressed air accelerates the degradation of pvc.

These failures combined with air under pressure are potentially fatal due to the airborne razor sharp shrapnel. If you don t want to solder use galvanized or black steel pipe. Non metal pipe commonly called plastic pipe has been offered for many years as compressed air piping because. Plastic compressed air piping is cheap lightweight easy to install and non corrosive.

Nowadays there are many different steel and non steel types of piping. As with most decisions the choice in piping material comes down to tradeoffs between cost performance longevity and aesthetics. Iron pipe is one of the oldest compressed air piping materials used. Installation is straightforward or can be done by a plumber and fittings are available at your local hardware store.

Moisture and oxygen in compressed air makes rust and corrosion inevitable. Owners of compressed air piping systems tend to focus on the compressor and think of the piping as less of a concern. In the old days compressed air pipes where made of plain steel. It is also an osha violation to use pvc for compressed air distribution which means you could incur a hefty fine.