Technical data

18
Depending on the pipe dimensions, the
compressed air lines can be mounted us-
ing either pipe clips or cable binders.
Since plastics are not electroconductive,
pipe installation in the cable duct is a par-
ticularly convenient option.
In the case of installation in a hazardous
area with a potentially explosive atmos-
phere it should be taken into account that
a static discharge can occur with plastic
pipes in certain conditions of humidity.
For this type of installation, it is manda-
tory to observe the relevant regulations.
Plastic pipes are well suited to under-
ground installation, particularly because
they do not require special corrosion pro-
tection. Follow the corresponding guide-
lines (sand bed, etc.) for underground
pipe installation.
Compressed Air Applications Manual | Selection of material and pipe system
Dimensioning
A compressed air line is an energy line
and should therefore be carefully dimen-
sioned.
Plastic pipes made of polybutene (PB)
are able to transport compressed air
more economically than steel pipes.
The smooth surface of PB pipes – k =
0.007 as against steel pipes with k = 0.15
– enables a higher air throughput for the
same inside pipe diameter and the same
pressure.
Surface of a plastic pipe
Surface of a steel pipe
k = pipe roughness
factor