Types of PEX tubing. Choosing the right brand for your project.

What is PEX? PEX pipe is made from HDPE, which is a short for High Density PolyEthylene. HDPE usually comes in pill-size granules, which are melted inside the extruder during the manufacturing process and pushed through a die under pressure, thus creating a pipe (tubing . PEX is the short terms for Cross-linked (hence, X) PolyEthylene (PE) and created durin the e!trusion process "y formin links "et#een molecules$ Cross-linkin process impro%es the chemical and temperature performance ratin s of the polymer, i%es it fle!i"ility and e!tra stren th$ !han"s to it#s popularity, PE$ tubing goes under many other name, such as PE$ pipe, PE$ tube, PE$ piping, etc. %ll of these ha&e the same meaning. &ypes of PEX. %ll PE$ is generally di&ided into ' main types( %, ) and *. +t is a misconception to thin" that one type is better than the other simply because it#s an %, ), or * type. !hese letters are used to identify the manufacturing process and ha&e nothing to do with ,uality of performance ratings. +n fact, some may find it surprising that( -. PE$-), for example, can withhold higher pressure than PE$-%. .. PE$-), on the a&erage, performs '/-0/1 better in chlorine testing than PE$-% and PE$-*. %ll types of PE$ ha&e to comply with %2!3 4567 and %2!3 4566 standards before they can be used anywhere in the 82. Pipe that conforms to these standards carries a proper readable imprint. PE$-% tubing is produced using Peroxide (or, 9Engel: method, named after the in&entor !omas Engel. During the manufacturing process, free radicals are created when HDPE polymer is melted and crosslin"s between molecules occur at temperatures that exceed the decomposition temperature of the polymer. 2ome of the manufacturers who ma"e this type of PE$ are( 8ponor (former ;irsbo , <ehau and 3r. PE$. PE$-) is made using a =2ilane= or =3oisture *ure= method of cross-lin"ing, where lin"s between the molecules of the HDPE form after the extrusion process using a catalyst and exposing PE$ tubing to water. !his type of PE$ is the most common and is manufactured by a large number of companies, such as( >iega, ;atts, )ow, E&erhot, ?urn and many others. PE$-* is manufactured using 9Electronic +rradiation: method of cross-lin"ing, also "nown as =*old= cross-lin"ing. Here, cross-lin"ing of the molecules is done after the process of extrusion by exposing the pipe to an electron radiation beam. !he radiation emitted allows to brea" the existing lin"s between molecules of the polymer and initiate cross-lin"ing process. 2ome of the manufacturers are( @ibco, <oth, *ash-%cme. Which PEX tu"in to choose?

!he answer will depend on many factors, such as your budget, s"ill le&el and whether you ha&e already bought any tools or materials. PE$-% is the most expensi&e of all ' types and each manufacturer typically re,uires using their own proprietary connection system. )ecause of that, tools and PE$ fittings can also be &ery costly. Ather than slightly greater flexibility than of the other (. types, there are no significant ad&antages of this

type o&er the other two. +f fact, it has been reported by many contractors that the expansion connection system used with PE$-a may be &ery incon&enient to use in colder climates. PE$-) is the most typical and the most affordable type of PEX tu"in in the 82. Bou will find it being sold by local plumbing and heating retailers, as well as the big box stores such as Home Depot or Cowes. Due to an extensi&e performance history and compatibility with a large number of connection systems, PE$-) is &ery popular both among D+B#s and professional contractors. PE$-* is the latest addition to PE$ line and price-wise is similar to PEX-' tu"in . 8nfortunately, the cross-lin"ing process for this type creates the least amount of bonds (&s. the other types , which ma"es it closer to a regular PE (PolyEthylene, or, simply plastic pipe rather than true PE$ tubing. 2imilar to PE$-), this type can be used with a large &ariety of installation methods.