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 Flexible Systems
What is PEX-Flex?
PEX-Flex is a pre-insulated flexible pipe ideally suited for hydronic heating and district energy transfer. Supplied in coils (single or dual configuration), this pipe system is economical, simple to install and highly effective even in harsh soil conditions.
Technical Information
PEX-Flex
is flexible pre-insulated pipe designed for the
efficient transfer of hot or cold medium. Supplied
in single or dual (supply and return bundled
together) format coils, this seamless pipe system
is economical, simple to install and highly effective
even in harsh soil conditions.
PEX-Flex is “self-compensating” with
respect to expansion and contraction …
just uncoil and snake into trench, then backfill.
The pipe installs quickly and easily without
solvent welding, special tools or heavy equipment
resulting in a lower installed cost when compared
to other insulating methods. No drainage tile,
gravel fill or deep/wide trench required. PEX-Flex
can be shallow buried even in high water table
areas. The flexible nature of coiled PEX-Flex
all but eliminates the need for joints, elbows
and fittings making it a true seamless pipe system.
The PEX-Flex carrier pipe is made of plastic
cross linked polyethylene (PEX) with EVAL coating
which keeps oxygen from penetrating the pipe
wall. The PEX is surrounded by a factory applied
layer of closed cell, eco-friendly polyurethane
foam – the best insulation material on
the market. The whole package is encased in a
tough but flexible extruded polyethylene jacket
with UV stabilizer.
The pipe system is bonded … meaning
the carrier pipe(s), insulation and jacket are
mechanically linked to one another and move collectively
during expansion/contraction. This also isolates a moisture problem to damaged area should the jacket be punctured … water cannot migrate through entire pipe system.
All PEX-Flex pipe comes equipped with a “smart”
membrane between the outer casing and the insulation.
This leak proof diffusion barrier prevents (cyclopentane)
gas in the foam from escaping through the jacket
and being replaced by atmospheric air which has
inferior insulating properties – a process
called “aging”. This keeps the operating
performance high throughout the entire service
life of the pipe.
PEX-Flex is manufactured by Logstor of Denmark, the world’s largest producer
of pre-insulated pipe systems employing over
1400 people in 9 production facilities. Logstor
has over 30 years experience of pre-insulating
flexible PEX tubing. Urecon Ltd. distributes Logstor
products throughout Canada and the US.
Single PEX-Flex Dimensions
Nominal
pipe size |
Carrier
pipe OD |
Carrier
pipe ID |
Carrier
pipe
wall
thickness |
Jacket
pipe OD |
Standard/
Maximum
coil
lengths* |
Minimum
bending
radius |
Weight |
| in |
in
(mm) |
in
(mm) |
in
(mm) |
in
(mm) |
ft
(m) |
ft
(m) |
lb/ft
(kg/m) |
| ¾ |
0.98
(25) |
.784
(20) |
0.098
(2.5) |
3.0
(77) |
328/984
(100/300) |
2.6
(0.8) |
.70
(1.0) |
| 1 |
1.26
(32) |
1.032
(26.2) |
0.114
(2.9) |
3.0
(77) |
328/984
(100/300) |
2.6
(0.8) |
.70
(1.0) |
| 1¼ |
1.57
(40) |
1.28
(32.6) |
0.145
(3.7) |
3.5
(90) |
328/984
(100/300) |
3.0
(0.9) |
1.9
(1.3) |
| 1½ |
1.97
(50) |
1.608
(40.8) |
0.181
(4.6) |
4.3
(110) |
328/984
(100/300) |
3.5
(1.1) |
1.3
(1.9) |
| 2 |
2.48
(63) |
2.024
(51.4) |
0.228
(5.8) |
4.9
(125) |
328/656
(100/200) |
4.0
(1.2) |
1.6
(2.4) |
| 2½ |
2.95
(75) |
2.406
(61.2) |
0.272
(6.9) |
5.5
(140) |
328
(100) |
4.5
(1.4) |
2.2
(3.3) |
| 3 |
3.54
(90) |
2.894
(73.6) |
0.323
(8.2) |
6.3
(160) |
328
(100) |
5.2
(1.6) |
2.8
(4.2) |
| 4 |
4.33
(110) |
3.544
(90) |
0.393
(10.0) |
6.3
(160) |
328
(100) |
5.2
(1.6) |
3.7
(5.5) |
Dual PEX-Flex Dimensions
Nominal
pipe size |
Carrier
pipe OD |
Carrier
pipe ID |
Carrier
pipe
wall
thickness |
Jacket
pipe OD |
Standard/
Maximum
coil lengths* |
Minimum
bending
radius |
Weight |
| in |
in
(mm) |
in
(mm) |
in
(mm) |
in
(mm) |
ft
(m) |
ft
(m) |
lb/ft
(kg/m) |
| 2 x ¾ |
2 x 0.98
(2 x 25) |
0.784
(20) |
0.098
(2.5) |
4.3
(110) |
328/ 656
(100/200) |
3.5
( 1.1) |
1.4
(2.1) |
| 2 x 1 |
2 x 1.26
(2 x 32) |
1.032
(26.2) |
0.114
(2.9) |
4.3
(110) |
567/1,134
(173/246) |
3.5
(1.1) |
1.5
(2.2) |
| 2 x 1¼ |
2 x 1.57
(2 x 40) |
1.280
(32.6) |
0.145
(3.7) |
4.9
(125) |
328/ 656
(100/200) |
4.0
(1.2) |
1.8
(2.7) |
| 2 x 1 ½ |
2 x 1.97
(2 x 50) |
1.608
(40.8) |
0.181
(4.6) |
6.3
(160) |
328
(100) |
5.2
(1.6) |
2.8
(4.1) |
In bold is dual 1” PEX-Flex … most commonly used size for OWF applications (note the ID of the carrier pipe is 1.03” which is considerable larger than other ASTM pipes).
PEX-Flex Temperature and Pressure
| Pipe size |
Max. temperature |
Max. pressure |
| in (mm) |
Fahrenheit (Celsius) |
P.S.I. (bar) |
| ¾ - 4 (20 - 110) |
203 (95)* |
87 (6) |
Other Applications
Millions of
feet of PEX-Flex have been installed in industrial,
commercial and residential hydronic related pipe
systems around the world. The pipe is used wherever
energy savings are required by keeping overall
heat losses (or gains) to a minimum. Typical
applications include ice/snow melt systems; chilled
water distribution; hot water district energy
projects; chemical feed; industrial process piping
and even solar heating.
Flexible steel
pipe (STEEL-Flex) is also available in coils
for projects requiring higher temperature thresholds.
See our Flexible Systems
brochure for more information.
 Ice/Snow
Melt Systems
Use PEX-Flex to run warm water from the heat source
to the pad without losing heat.
Chilled Water Distribution
Use PEX-Flex to distribute centrally chilled water
for air conditioning … often without
joints or fittings. The highly efficient polyurethane
insulation reduces heat gain from the warm
soil
(or ambient air temperature) greatly increasing
system efficiency.
Hot Water District Energy
Use PEX-Flex to move around hot water in campus
style systems … often without joints
or fittings. Also ideally suited for steam
condensate
return.
Chemical Feed / Industrial Process
Piping
Use PEX-Flex for transfer of chemicals or
general process piping. Typically, joints
and fittings
are eliminated reducing worry of leakage … saving
money when compared to traditional containment
piping.
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