Compressed Air Piping Materials

Nowadays there are many different steel and non steel types of piping.

Compressed air piping materials.

In the old days compressed air pipes where made of plain steel. Iron pipe is available in galvanized or raw black form. It is also an osha violation to use pvc for compressed air distribution which means you could incur a hefty fine. The compressed air piping materials can be divided into two basic types.

Cleaner than black iron pipe. Plus osha has banned the use of pvc piping for compressed air in above ground applications. Black iron pipe creates rust silt and sediment which can ruin your equipment. Traditionally steel sometimes referred to as black iron and galvanized steel piping have been a common choice for compressed air systems.

Unlike gas and water lines air compression lines don t require perfect joints so don t worry if they leak a tiny bit. Using pvc for compressed air is a safety liability you don t want to gamble on. However these materials suffer from some significant limitations. Owners of compressed air piping systems tend to focus on the compressor and think of the piping as less of a concern.

It is lighter than most metal and easier to handle. If you don t want to solder use galvanized or black steel pipe. In our experience thermoplastic should be used only in some air compressor inlet piping situations which are not. Plastic compressed air piping is cheap lightweight easy to install and non corrosive.

However just as hearts can fail due to clogged arteries compressors can fail due to poor piping. It can be installed with no special tools such as welders threaders etc. Compressed air piping materials can be divided into two basic types. Non metal pipe commonly called plastic pipe has been offered for many years as compressed air piping because.

As with most decisions the choice in piping material comes down to tradeoffs between cost performance longevity and aesthetics. Non metal pipe is commonly called thermoplastic pipe. May 15th 2020 at. The presence of air compressor oils in the line and heat from the compressed air accelerates the degradation of pvc.

For steel pipes we have plain steel stainless steel copper and galvanized steel pipes that are often used. For plastic there is a whole range of plastic types all with their own characteristics. Measure the pipe runs and buy exact lengths. Rapidair products deliver safe compressed air.

Moisture and oxygen in compressed air makes rust and corrosion inevitable. 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. Hardware stores will cut and thread the ends for you.