TPT July 2007

98 / 116

96 July /August 2007
P lastic & Composite Tube:
Products & Manufacture
During 2006, the German standards for
polypropylene (PP) pressure pipes were
revised. The designations PP-H100, PP-
B80 and PP-R80 were withdrawn, as they
did not reflect the required behaviour at
elevated temperatures, and were changed
to PP-H, PP-B and PP-R.
In addition, PP-RCT was officially
recognised as a category under the new
German standards DIN8077 and DIN8078
for PP pressure pipes. The creation of
a new PP-RCT class means that these
solutions can now be tested according to a
widely accepted quality standard.
According to EN ISO 1043 designations,
PP-RCT is a PP random copolymer with
special crystalline structure. This structure
gives improved pressure resistance,
particularly at elevated temperatures,
offering more than a 50 per cent
improvement in long-term strength at 70°C
over 50 years compared to standard PP-R
materials.
As a result, pipes based on this material
can be produced with thinner walls and
larger internal pipe diameters, delivering
a range of benefits to the plumbing abd
construction industries. A wider internal
diameter gives pipes a higher hydraulic
capacity, benefitting systems distributing
large volumes of water, such as in high-
rise buildings. The capacity increase can
also serve to overcome the problem of low
water pressure from a supply network.
Thinner wall pipes also allow for higher
extrusion speed with reduced material
usage, while a higher percentage of
smaller pipes leads to smaller insulation
and fittings, and faster installation times.
The reduction in weight which can be
achieved with PP-RCT also eases
transportation and handling for the
plumbing industry.
Borealis, Austria, claims to be the first
company to offer this new solution,
marketed under the trade name Beta-
PPR, to pipe and fitting producers who are
looking for clearly identified and specified
resins. Beta-PPR is produced according
to the highest industry standards and
satisfies all key European drinking water
regulations.
Borealis AG – Austria
Fax: +43 122 400 333
Email:
Website:
› PP-RCT pipes benefit from a wider internal diameter
New DIN standards for water pressure
pipes recognise PP-RCT