Corrugated stainless steel pipe and fittings

The main condition on which the success of arranging a heating system using a corrugated stainless pipe depends is the tightness of all joints. The slightest leaks in chemical and fluid circulation systems are unacceptable, as they can be not only critical, but even dangerous. And in order for the connection to be of the highest quality and reliability, special fittings are used for corrugated stainless pipes. But these fittings are not yet the main thing, since for the durability of the project being implemented, you will also need special equipment, as well as minimal knowledge in the field of pipes made of "stainless steel".

Corrugated stainless steel pipe fittings

So, today we will find out what fittings for corrugated pipes are, what they can be and how much they cost on average.

Corrugated stainless pipe: the history of invention

An invention such as a stainless steel corrugated pipe appeared at the end of the twentieth century. Its authors are Japanese scientists who were looking for the best option for laying communications in conditions of increased seismic activity on the islands. This is how a versatile product was created that combines the flexible qualities of rubber and the strength of steel. It took world experts very little time to come to the general conclusion that flexible metal pipes have a number of advantages over their counterparts made from cold-rolled sheet steel, as well as over polypropylene and metal-plastic pipes.

Flexible stainless pipes instead of steel and plastic pipes

In this regard, almost immediately after the invention of corrugated pipes, their serial production began in Germany, and then in South Korea, which is currently the leader in the production of flexible stainless steel pipes. Gradually, enterprises in different countries began to specialize in the production of corrugated products, and their use became ubiquitous in the installation of engineering networks and other communications.

Features of Corrugated Stainless Steel Pipe

Flexible stainless pipes gradually replaced steel and polypropylene structures, as well as metal-plastic communications used in the creation of plumbing, heating, ventilation and even gas systems. The strength of the material is ensured by the fact that only high quality stainless steel with impurities of nickel, chromium and carbon is used in the production process.

The concentration of additional elements such as nickel, chromium and carbon in the alloy is calculated with extreme precision. This guarantees the strength, durability of the corrugated pipe and its corrosion resistance.

The material must comply with a certain list of characteristics that guarantee certain product quality standards, in particular:

Normal operating pressure is 10 atmospheres with a permissible maximum load of 60 atmospheres.
During operation, the corrugated stainless steel pipe withstands the temperature of the passing substance from 0 ° C to 100 ° C. In this case, the maximum limit can reach 150 ° C and above.
Pipelines for the organization of construction work and individual repairs, depending on the scope, are produced with a diameter of 15, 20, 25, and 32 mm.

High-quality steel is used in the production of corrugated pipes

Corrugated Flexible Pipe Manufacturing Process

The versatility and high quality indicators of stainless steel corrugations are due to strict adherence to its manufacturing technology, which, surprisingly, is quite simple. The production process itself includes the following stages:

The pipe is formed using a special steel tape.
Workpieces are cooked using tungsten electrodes. At this stage of production, special automatic TIG equipment is used. The process takes place at high temperatures, which can reach 1150 ° C.
The reliability of the seams is checked on a special laser installation.
Corrugation is formed using special shafts of various diameters.
Heat treatment of parts is performed. Different types of pipes lend themselves to a certain degree of temperature exposure, since the annealed pipe has a higher degree of flexibility.
Products are packaged. Pipes are divided into sections of a certain length. Products with a small diameter are rolled into coils, and thick parts are packed in groups.
They check the quality and filter out defects in the form of products with microcracks. For this purpose, a metal corrugated pipe is placed in a liquid under high pressure. At the same time, a special device is attached to each bay and the pressure is gradually increased to 10 atmospheres, then it is gradually reduced.

The main advantages of flexible stainless steel pipes

The special design in the form of a corrugation provides this type of pipe with a high degree of flexibility at different bending radii, which does not entail a narrowing of the flow and does not lead to deformation of the product. Moreover, after unbending, the pipe does not bend, but takes on its original flat appearance. Installation of a corrugated stainless steel pipe does not require special efforts and the organization of additional manipulations using bending equipment. In the process of work, you only need fittings to connect parts and special fasteners.

Installation and connection of corrugated pipes

In addition, stainless steel pipe provides a high degree of wear resistance. Products can be used in a wide temperature range. In this case, the minimum indicator is -50 ° C, which allows substances with a low temperature to pass through them, for example, liquid nitrogen. The upper temperature mark can reach 150 ° C.

Advantages and disadvantages

Corrugated pipes have advantages, since they can be used to solve many problems. Corrugated stainless steel has:

flexibility, thanks to which no effort is required from a person, the use of special tools and the creation of many connections for bending the pipe, while the stainless steel corrugation is very durable;
inertness to chemical influences and anti-corrosion properties - the working environment and atmospheric phenomena, pressure and temperature drops will not damage the corrugated pipes, the possibility of electrochemical corrosion is easily reduced by grounding or a protective shell - all this seriously increases the life of the pipeline, and also allows the use of such pipes in regions with frosty long winters and for transporting environments with low temperatures (liquid nitrogen, for example);
simple installation: an open-end wrench or an adjustable wrench is enough to connect or replace any section;
stainless steel corrugated pipes have a low roughness coefficient (0.008), which saves the system from contamination;
corrugated pipes are light - the weight is almost the same as that of polymer pipes, the noise level is low, and the price is reasonable (much cheaper than copper pipes);
A separate advantage for large-scale works is the length: a standard 50 m of corrugation in one coil is enough for the construction of any pipeline, and if necessary, a longer coil can be ordered from the manufacturer.

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As for the disadvantages, they cannot cover all the advantages in any way, and when choosing pipes they rarely affect the decision of buyers.

However, it is important to know about the disadvantages of corrugation in order to take these features into account, first of all, when servicing pipes:

The shock resistance of the stainless steel corrugation is low, and if it is mounted in an area where the risk of mechanical damage is high, you will have to protect the pipeline with a special casing.
Such pipes are more difficult to maintain than smooth-walled ones: they are difficult to clean from dust, you need a brush, and even better - a protective screen that will protect the product from dirt.
Outwardly, the corrugation looks unattractive, so it will have to be hidden, but access to the fittings must be left, which means that it will no longer be possible to mount the pipes in one piece.
Access to corrugated pipes must be open because the fittings need maintenance: regular tightness checks, tightening or replacing the insert, etc.

Criterias of choice

All the necessary information about the product is on the marking, which is not located on the pipes themselves, since the corrugated surface does not allow inscriptions, but on the coil wrapper. Therefore, the first thing worth paying attention to is the integrity of the container.

It is important! There are unscrupulous sellers: they replace packaging and sell lower-quality pipes at a higher price. It is important not to fall for this trick and not buy pipes from sellers whose reputation is untrustworthy.

Corrugated stainless steel must be carefully examined, paying attention to the following points:

step - the same along the entire length, without damage;
the seam is necessarily even and not broken anywhere;
there should be no fractures, cracks or chips on the product.

In addition, the corrugation must be bent and unbent: if it is of high quality, it will return to its previous position.

When buying, it is of great importance to correctly calculate the length of the pipe, which is calculated using data on the amount of coolant per running meter.

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Product diameter	Heat carrier quantity
15 mm	0.22 l
20 mm	0.45 l
25 mm	0.71 l
32 mm	0.98 l

As for the manufacturers, the Korean brands Lavita and Kofulso enjoy great confidence, whose products have shown themselves to be excellent in practice. Lavita pipes are cheaper than Kofulso, but also lower in quality. German manufacturers are also considered reliable, but their stainless steel corrugation is very expensive.

It is not recommended to buy pipes from unknown companies at a surprisingly low price, since the wall thickness in them is most likely much less than necessary.

Note! When buying pipes, you need to choose the right fittings - they are important for the performance of the system: the surface of a good fitting is smooth and even, and there are no cracks or other types of damage on the O-rings.

Disadvantages of corrugated flexible pipe

In addition to the listed technical characteristics, it is worth mentioning the convenience of transportation, storage, installation of structures, as well as the advantages of the pipe during operation, which consists in environmental safety, resistance to the effects of rodents, the appearance of fungus and mold. At the same time, do not forget about the weak points that this versatile and practical product has, the main ones are as follows:

Due to the small thickness of the pipe walls, there is a risk of damage in places where strong impacts are likely. Therefore, as a precaution, sometimes a protective cover should be fitted.
The high degree of heat transfer, characteristic of a corrugated stainless pipe, will be a plus for heating, but in places of heat supply, installation of thermal insulation will be required in order to save thermal energy.
The corrugated surface is quite difficult to clean, so a simple sponge or cloth will not work here - you need to do this with a special brush.
Corrugated stainless steel, despite all its anti-corrosion properties, can still be unstable to the effects of a number of substances, and also undergo electrochemical corrosion, therefore, during its installation in such places, it is necessary to use neutralizing screens. In order to protect against stray current, it is worthwhile to provide grounding and install dielectric gaskets.
The appearance of corrugated pipes is not very attractive, and therefore it is advisable to hide them behind the decoration on the walls, and the radiators should be covered with decorative panels.

Disadvantages of corrugated stainless steel pipes

More on the disadvantages

Like any normal material, stainless corrugation has a number of disadvantages, the most significant of which is its high price. Because of this, it cannot be called accessible to a wide range of users. At the present time, when the incomes of citizens of the countries of the post-Soviet space leave much to be desired, this is a big minus. Although everyone understands that the corresponding money should be paid for reliability and durability.

The second drawback is the unpresentable appearance. Not everyone will like the heating system shown in the photo above, and it cannot harmoniously fit into every interior. But it is worth noting that recently corrugated pipes for heating with polymer coatings of different colors have appeared. This somewhat improved the situation, but there is also a nuance here: the grooves in the pipe eventually fill with dust, which is not so easy to remove.

The conclusion suggests itself that our corrugations have no equal with the closed method of laying, but this is not entirely true. Due to the detachable connections with the use of polymer seals, it is not recommended to embed the entire system into the floor or walls, only a pipe, without fittings, is possible. This causes some inconvenience when laying out radiator heating, but you can hardly find the best material for installing underfloor heating.

There is one more thing. Despite the ideal smoothness of the inner surface, corrugated stainless steel pipe has many stiffeners that provide additional resistance to fluid flow. Any specialist knowledgeable in hydraulics will tell you that these ribs should be considered as a set of local resistances located at a certain pitch.

As a result, the structure of the water flow is far from ideal (laminar); rather, the flow is turbulent along the entire length of the pipe. This means that, theoretically, a corrugated pipe has a higher hydraulic resistance than any polymer, where the surface is as smooth, but without ribs.

Since there are no supporting theoretical calculations, let's turn to practice. According to homeowners, the stainless corrugated pipe for heating did not require the installation of a circulation pump with increased pressure, although the system was designed to use polymer pipes. It can be concluded that the corrugation is unsuitable for gravitational systems with natural circulation of the coolant, but there is no practical confirmation of this. Accordingly, we will not make recommendations based on unverified data.

And the last thing. As a thin-walled metal product, stainless corrugation can eventually suffer from Foucault eddy currents at intersections with the home's electrical network. It is better not to risk it and prevent electrochemical corrosion by taking appropriate measures during installation, which will be discussed below.

Classification of stainless steel corrugated pipes

Corrugated stainless steel pipes have their own classification. Pipes are divided into types depending on the diameter, scope and degree of flexibility of the corrugation.In the installation of household communications and for industrial needs, as mentioned earlier, pipes with a diameter of 15, 20, 25 and 32 mm are mainly used. These are the most popular models, but they are no exception.

Products of different diameters are produced, including pipes with a meter section. Such products are used to transport various liquids in production. Models of other sizes can also be made to order, but the price of corrugated stainless steel pipe made in this way will be much higher.

Depending on the purpose of the pipe, its properties are determined, products are classified into the following types:

corrugated annealed stainless steel pipe - characterized by increased flexibility, to achieve this effect during production, it is subjected to a special heat treatment;
unannealed pipe - does not lend itself to heat treatment, therefore it has less elasticity and weighs a little more;
stainless corrugated pipe with a protective polyethylene coating - designed for gas supply, for systems that are subject to concreting, and also it is used for laying communications underground.

Depending on the purpose, corrugated pipes in household construction are used for the installation of heating, water and gas supply.

Scope of application of corrugated stainless steel pipe

Corrugated pipes are distinguished by their versatility, therefore they are widely used in the installation of both centralized and autonomous water supply and heating. This is possible due to the properties of stainless steel to withstand high pressure, although the walls have a maximum thickness of 0.3 mm.

With the help of flexible corrugated pipes, you can implement a system of any complexity

Corrugation perfectly tolerates high temperatures, under the influence of which it does not deform. In this regard, corrugated pipes outperform analogues made of polypropylene and metal-plastic. Therefore, a corrugated pipe for heating and hot water supply is the best fit. In frosty conditions, such a stainless steel product does not suffer from contraction and expansion of the material, therefore freezing and thawing does not affect its flexibility. The flexibility of the material is so high that the hoses, depending on the diameter, can bend with a radius of up to 30 mm.

Thanks to these unique advantages, stainless steel pipelines are used in a wide variety of applications. They are used by builders, repair workers, electricians and utility mechanics as:

flexible pipes for heating;
wall and floor insulation systems;
corrugated pipes for plumbing and hot water supply;
pipes for piping boilers;
channels for connecting meters;
heat exchangers;
gas distribution pipes;
corrugated pipes for ventilation, chimney and air conditioning.

Popular manufacturers and price of stainless steel pipes

As mentioned above, companies from South Korea are the leaders in the production of stainless steel corrugated pipes, the most popular of which are the following:

Kofulso is the most famous company that pioneered the production of corrugated stainless steel pipes. It is on its technology that products for pipelines are produced at other enterprises in this area. Popularity has had a corresponding effect on the cost of stainless steel and stainless steel products.
Lavita. Feedback from experts and users indicates that the products of this manufacturer are characterized by a long service life, but the fittings are of lower quality. Marriage occurs with a frequency of 2-3 cases per 100 copies. It happens that when tightened, the metal ring can cut through the wall, so the products of this company are cheaper than Kofulso pipes.
Hydrosta. Products for the price and quality characteristics correspond to Lavita pipes.Users also complain about fittings that leak in every fifth case out of a hundred.
Meibes. The company is quite new in the construction market, but has managed to prove itself well in the production of corrugated steel products. There are practically no complaints from consumers, except for the high price of products.

Kofulso is the most famous company that pioneered the production of corrugated stainless pipes

Speaking about the manufacturers of corrugated pipes, it should be noted that this type of product has not yet been counterfeited. According to experts, this is due to the fact that special expensive equipment is used in the production, and the technology itself is rather complicated. In addition, the production of stainless steel corrugated pipes is still at the stage of development, so there is no particular excitement for products.

Characteristics and price of corrugated stainless steel pipe "Neptune"

Speaking about the manufacturers of corrugated pipes, attention should be paid to the domestic one. This is a new company on the Russian market that presents a line of flexible corrugated stainless steel pipes, as well as produces brass fittings and other accessories for installing pipelines.

The most popular products of the company are Neptun IWS corrugated stainless steel pipes used in the arrangement of various engineering systems, including heating, hot and cold water supply communications, as well as in the creation of water heated floors and fire extinguishing systems. In addition, a separate production line is made up of corrugated pipes for flexible connections to gas appliances and a sealed metal hose used for laying electrical networks.

Helpful advice! It should be noted that the price of stainless pipes is relatively low, much more money is spent on consumables that are needed during installation. In this regard, the installation of a flexible stainless steel pipeline loses to the installation of plastic and polypropylene pipes, as it costs more.

Of the domestic manufacturers of corrugated stainless steel pipes, it is necessary to single out

A young enterprise in the structure of domestic production emerged relatively recently - in 2014. Its founder was the largest manufacturer of equipment for underfloor heating and heating systems SST GK. Neptun IWS, located in the Moscow Region, is the only Russian company producing flexible corrugated pipes. It should be noted that they are produced exclusively from high-alloy stainless steel using modern European equipment.

Neptun IWS steel corrugated pipelines and fittings fully comply with the requirements of energy saving and environmental friendliness. Products are easily cut and bend without changing the flow area, without the formation of microcracks and other damage to the metal.

Corrugated stainless steel pipe for heating

The corrugated stainless steel pipe for heating began to be used relatively recently, but it has already managed to prove itself perfectly in this area. Due to the fact that the product has the ability to adapt to temperature and pressure changes, it is installed both at the heat supply inputs and directly in heating systems.

A special advantage of the corrugated pipe is that the installation is carried out without the presence of special equipment and tools. In this case, the products are bent at different angles without narrowing the ducts.

When purchasing a corrugated pipe for heating, you should heed some expert advice, in particular, it is recommended to study the markings on the coil label and indicate the scope of application, since it is impossible to apply it to the pipes themselves.If the integrity of the package is violated, you must beware of substitution. The real price of a fake corrugated pipe can be an order of magnitude less than the cost of the original.

Corrugated stainless steel pipe for heating

Thus, high-quality corrugated products are distinguished by the following properties:

the price of heating pipes is slightly higher than the cost of water pipes and is an order of magnitude higher than the price of products for chimneys;
pipes have a very high degree of flexibility;
the seams must be even, without visible violations;
it is difficult to detect defects by visual inspection.

Stainless steel gas corrugated pipe

To connect heating boilers, gas stoves, gas-type water heaters to the gas supply system, in recent years, it is precisely flexible connections that have been most often used. There are several types of products that differ in size, material and price of corrugated stainless steel pipe. Flexible gas connectors can be made:

made of elastic material and braided with stainless steel;
made of stainless steel, and have the form of a bellows.

Experts advise to use a flexible connection of the minimum length to connect gas appliances, which guarantees reliability and safety. It is better to move the slab as close as possible to the pipe than to use a long corrugation.

Flexible hose for connecting gas appliances

The braid of the corrugated stainless steel gas pipe is marked with a yellow stripe. This is done due to the fact that externally flexible hoses for water and gas are very similar to each other, therefore water pipes are marked in red and blue, and gas - in yellow. An inch stainless steel liner is usually equipped with special fittings, which are fixed with nuts at the connection points, and copper or aluminum washers are used for additional tightness.

The price of a stainless steel pipe for gas is slightly lower than the cost of rubber-fabric analogs, but at the same time it is no less reliable. This feature has influenced the increase in demand for corrugated steel products.

The price of a bellows-type stainless steel pipe for water is higher than the cost of products for gas equipment, which is justified by their reliability. By itself, the bellows is in the form of a corrugated pipe with fastening nipples at the ends. Connect the bellows line using washers and nuts. The connection can withstand a pressure of 6 atm.

Metal corrugation for ventilation and chimneys

Stainless steel pipes are used as connectors between hoods and ventilation ducts, as well as chimneys. At the same time, the steel product largely outperforms aluminum pipes, although the price of stainless steel and aluminum is almost the same.

Stainless steel exhaust and ventilation pipe

A conventional corrugated stainless steel chimney pipe in diameter ranges from 10 to 15 cm with a compressed length of 60-70 cm. Inside, it is reinforced with a thicker steel wire, which gives it the desired configuration. In expanded form, the pipe can reach three meters. In this case, you can select the required chimney length.

Corrugated stainless steel pipes can withstand temperatures up to 900 ° C, so they can be used in heating systems with various fuels, including coal and wood. It is quite easy to remove combustion products from such pipes. In addition, harmful condensate containing sulfuric acid, which forms inside the chimney, does not have a damaging effect on steel, since it is resistant to chemicals.

Purpose and application

The corrugated pipe is used as a chimney for a heating boiler

Corrugated pipes are widely used in the field of construction and repair. They are often used in the following areas:

rainwater drainage system equipment;
organization of disposal of communal wastewater;
drainage assembly;
conducting a heating system;
ensuring the flow of water into the apartment under pressure;
gas supply inside the premises;
connection of air conditioners.

A corrugated pipe for heating determines its purpose, since the surface has a high heat transfer, thick rings on the pipe can act as a radiator.

Corrugated pipes have found their application in the industrial and household spheres for laying electrical and television cables. Pipes reliably protect against mechanical damage, the influence of weather conditions.

In the construction of private houses, corrugated pipes are widely used for water supply, heating systems.

Corrugated Stainless Steel Pipe Fittings

Success in arranging a water supply or heating system using corrugated stainless pipes depends on the tightness of the joints. The smallest leak can not only entail financial costs, but also pose a danger to the health and life of people. To ensure maximum reliability of the connections, special fittings for steel corrugations are used.

Corrugated Stainless Steel Pipe Fittings

Fittings are mounting parts of connecting fittings that perform a number of functions:

ensure tightness at the joints of the pipeline;
play the role of adapters between pipes of different diameters;
change the trajectory of the laying and improve the existing system;
regulate the flow of fluid in networks;
make it possible to increase the length of the system without interrupting its operation;
allow you to create new branches in any system while it is running.

Types of fittings for corrugated stainless pipe

There is a wide range of fittings. They are conventionally divided into two main groups:

Seamless fittings. These are solid-cast products with a high degree of reliability. When installing them, special equipment should be used, in particular crimping pliers.
Electrofusion fittings. They are a set of parts that are precisely matched to each other, which allows you to create minimal clearances.

The type of connecting fittings is selected according to the goals set, in accordance with the total cost of the project, taking into account the diameter of the pipes and the installation conditions. The material for the manufacture can be metal or plastic. Metal fittings are more convenient and practical, therefore they are especially popular. For their production, stainless steel and brass are used. Plastic fittings are used at the junction of combined systems, as well as for connecting to central highways. For example, they are used to connect corrugated pipes with polypropylene.

Depending on the functions performed, the valves are divided into the following types:

connecting sleeve - serves for joining straight segments;
adapter - used for splicing pipes of different diameters;
pivot angle - helps to change the geometry of the piping system;
plug - installed in order to cover a part of the system or a certain working circuit;
tee - allows you to evenly distribute the flow in two directions from the central line;
cross - used to branch the central fluid flow in several directions.

Varieties of fittings for corrugated pipes

Depending on the total cost of the project, the goals faced by the installers, the diameter of the pipeline and the installation conditions, the most suitable type of connection fittings is selected. According to the material of execution, the latter can be metal and plastic. Let's consider the features of each of the groups.

Metal fittings

The fittings made of metal are the most convenient to use, and therefore the most popular and promising. They can be created from stainless steel, with the percentage of chromium in the resulting alloy ranging from 16 to 20 percent.Yes, for corrugated pipes, connecting elements are often made of metal - not only from "stainless steel", but also from brass.

Below are the main advantages of this kind of fittings.

They do not oxidize on contact with moisture. All internal surfaces are then absolutely clean, even after prolonged use there are no signs of rusting.
Elements are resistant to water hammer.
The stainless steel fittings are also resistant to mechanical stress.
Finally, all of these elements can be used over the widest temperature range. Even freezing temperatures have no negative impact on them.

Note! As for brass fittings, it is used in cases where corrugated stainless steel products need to be connected to pipes made of other materials (combined, polymer, etc.).

To install brass fittings, either thread or crimp connections are used. To make the installation even better, use tightening wrenches, the diameter of which corresponds to a similar indicator of pipes, or crimping pliers. In fact, crimp components are as reliable as steel fittings. If we talk about specific materials, then the most popular are connecting elements made of copper or brass from renowned manufacturers of heating equipment.

Corrugated stainless steel pipe installation technology

It should be noted that the installation of corrugated pipes is easy to process. Due to the variety of types of fittings, it is quite possible to assemble any system on your own, without the involvement of specialists. The main thing is to observe the sequence of technological stages and the correctness of the work performed during the installation process, which ultimately will allow you to get a strong, reliable and durable pipe connection.

Directly, the installation technology assumes a clear sequence of certain actions:

Connecting fittings to pipes and mixers. At this point, make sure that the flare nut on the side of the pipeline connection is not tightened.
Cutting off the required amount of material. This is required to be done using a special tool - a roller pipe cutter. The cut should be neat, without burrs.
The pipe is inserted into the fitting and the union nut is tightened.
The pipeline is fixed in the desired position, using for this purpose special fasteners in the form of clips and clamps.
Checking the health of the system. If a leak is detected, tighten the union nuts a little more.

Installation features

To assemble stainless steel corrugations, you need open-end wrenches to tighten the nuts, and a tool that can cut the pipes. This is either a special pipe cutter, or a sharp and strong knife.

Installation is carried out as follows:

fittings are connected to a plumbing fixture, and since the load at the connection points is increased, it is better to install a support;
the stainless steel corrugation is cut into pieces so that the cut in relation to the pipe is perpendicular, does not have burrs, scuffs, irregularities;
the segment is inserted into the fitting, the nuts are tightened;
the pipeline is shaped by bending it at the desired angle (it is better if it is small) so that the corrugation does not sag, and the pipes are attached to the wall.

To check the installed system, it is necessary to supply high pressure water. If there are no leaks, the system is installed qualitatively, if there are any, then the nuts should be tightened.

Tips for the selection and installation of corrugated stainless steel pipes

When buying pipes and accessories for a pipeline system, you should remember that its high-quality installation and long service life depend on a number of factors, which must be taken into account even in the process of purchasing materials. In this regard, the following should be considered:

When purchasing a product, it must be carefully inspected for mechanical damage and bends.
The pipe must be strong and bend easily to the desired shape.
It is better to give preference to proven and well-established brands in the construction market; you should not be seduced by low cost. The average price per meter of high quality stainless pipe ranges from one to three thousand rubles, depending on the type of product and the type of steel used in production.
During installation, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the algorithm of actions, follow the instructions.
After installing the system, it is imperative to check it for integrity using the maximum allowable pressure.
Fittings must be complete.
When it becomes necessary to connect a stainless corrugated pipe with another material, it is recommended to use brass fittings.
The use of cheap, poor quality fittings at corrugated pipe joints can lead to a significant reduction in the service life of the system.
You should not make any special efforts while tightening the plastic elements, as the plastic will simply burst from excessive pressure.
To organize the installation, it is necessary to prepare in advance special open-end wrenches, as well as metal scissors for cutting pipes at right angles.

Tips for the selection and installation of corrugated stainless steel pipes
Corrugated stainless steel pipes are characterized by practicality and reliability during operation, therefore the popularity of such products is growing rapidly. They are successfully used in various areas of repair and construction: in the arrangement of water supply and heating, as chimneys and connections to gas appliances in the ventilation system. Their installation is quite simple, so if you approach the process responsibly and do not cheapen on materials, you can independently and quickly install a reliable and durable pipeline.

Varieties

A feature of stainless steel pipe products is their compatibility with most materials, therefore, fittings from different materials are used to assemble a pipeline using corrugated stainless steel pipes. In addition to the material of manufacture, fittings are classified according to the shape of the body, which is directly related to the functionality of the mounting element.

By material of manufacture

For the installation of stainless steel corrugations, fittings are used made of the following materials:

Stainless steel... Connecting pipes with fittings of the same material is the best possible installation option. In this case, the details of the assembly being formed have the same thermal expansion, the same mechanical and hydraulic strength. In addition, stainless steel elements can be interconnected not only by crimping or crimping, but also welded. However, due to the flexibility of the corrugated pipe, the weld assembly can collapse and crimp and press fittings tend to stick together, especially on pipelines transporting hot or chemically aggressive media.

Brass... Brass fittings are mainly used to mate steel and plastic pipes by making a crimp or crimp connection. Brass is not inferior to steel in terms of strength and durability, but at the joints it does not stick to steel pipes. By functional features
According to the functions performed and, accordingly, the shape of the body, the following types of shaped fittings for corrugated stainless steel pipes are distinguished:

Name	Functions	Hull shape
Clutch	direct connection of two identical pipes	straight cylinder
Reducer	direct connection of pipes with different cross-sections	truncated cone or two connected cylinders
Diversion	connection of two pipes at right angles	right-angled
Tee	connection to the main line of an additional branch	straight with side branch
Crosspiece	connecting two or more additional branches to the trunk	straight with several lateral branches
Plug	overlapping an unused pipe	half-body, hermetically sealed on one side

Note! The use of 90-degree bends for corrugation installation is due to the fact that corrugated pipes can be bent up to 90 degrees without fittings. A right angle connection is usually required when connecting to the piping of consumer devices.