Uponor Plumbing Sytems
What is PEX? An Uponor plumbing system features Engel-method crosslinked polyethylene (PEX) tubing. This is a flexible plastic tubing product that has been used for more than 35 years in radiant floor heating, plumbing and fire safety systems.
PEX is classified into three categories: • PEX-a (Engel or peroxide method) • PEX-b (Silane method) • PEX-c (Electron beam or radiation method)
The PEX tubing industry considers Engel-method PEX-a tubing superior because the crosslinking is done during the manufacturing process when polyethylene is in its amorphic state (above the crystalline melting point). Because of this, the degree of crosslinking reaches around 85%, resulting in a more uniform product with no weak links in the molecular chain.
The properties in PEX-a tubing make it the most flexible PEX on the market, allowing for the tightest bend radius available — as little as 3½" for ½" tubing. Its flexibility also greatly reduces the instance of kinked tubing. However, because of the thermal memory of PEX-a, if a kink does occur, a simple shot from a heat gun returns the tubing to its original shape.
Key Benefits :
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Corrosion resistant
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Free of metal contaminants
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Resists pitting and scale buildup
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Dampens rushing water noise
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Eliminates water hammer and singing pipes
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Retains heat in hot-water lines
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Resists condensation on cold-water lines
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NSF International Certification for water purity
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