Please explain.........

[bogsdollox]

pardon my ignorance but what is the difference between Polybutylene barrier pipe and PE-X barrier pipe please and which is the best to use.
I am wanting to turn my bath around and it was suggested by a friend that I used plastic pipe instead of copper under the floorboards. Also, if i turn the bath around obviously it means that the bath waste will be at the opposite end to the outlet. what is the best way to run the length of pipe back down to the outlet.

Thanks

 

[Mike Jackson]

The barrier pipe has got a barrier between two layers to prevent the ingress of oxygen. Designed for central heating use.

Waste run depends on location but the easiest is above the floor between the legs of the bath and using a 42mm hepVO valve and knuckle adaptor.

Mike

 

[bogsdollox]

Ok Mike, thank you. Both types of pipe are barrier, just wanted to know the difference between PE-X and Polybutylene.

 

[PLUMB111]

This may be of intrest to you, follow the link.

http://www.plasticpipe.org/pdf/tn-31_difference_between_pex_and_pb.pdf

Peter

 

[Alanka]

Polybutylene is a polymer (plastic) based on butylene gas, which has 4 carbon atoms in each molecule, whereas PEX (crosslinked polyethylene) is based on ethylene gas, having 2 carbon atoms per molecule -- if that's any help!

Polyethylene ('Polythene') was commonly used to make washing-up bowls etc., but the crosslinked PE-X has better properties for plumbing pipes (more resistance to cracking or crazing with time).

 

[Bernie2]

Its got to do with oxygen entrainment, at a microscopic level many plastics have holes, not big enough to let water out, but big enough to let oxygen in. The hole size varies from plastic to plastic.

The oxygen of course promotes corrosion so you don't want it in the system if you can help it.

So basically they try different mixtures to find out which combination gives the plastic the cost and properties they want for the intended application of it.