5 Reason To Choose Aluminum Piping For Your Next Compressed Air Job!
Engineers have requested various piping materials for compressed air systems throughout history. Anything ranging from black pipe to stainless steel. These solutions benefit from customer familiarity, low costs, and availability. While they do have their benefits, here are five reasons why AIRpipe’s aluminum piping is a better product to use for most compressed air installations today.
Lower Installation Cost
The traditional materials used for compressed air systems require more time and manpower to install. One of the main issues behind this is that steel pipe needs to be threaded to join pipes and install proper fittings. This process requires special equipment, skilled workers to operate it, and cleaning before using the system. All of these factories drive up installation costs.
On the other hand, aluminum pipe systems are much easier to install and modify. Since they are supplied ready for use, customers can achieve up to 50% of labor savings. No specific preparations beyond cutting, deburring and chamfering are required!
See a complete AIRpipe assembly video here: https://youtu.be/t-Atut6XKt8
Minimizing System Leaks
Threaded connections will inevitably leak. There has been a guess that 7-10% of compressed air will leak out of traditional piping systems. Aluminum pipe is calibrated, which means you will have a strictly controlled diameter resulting in a secure fit with no leaks.
Aluminum Piping Doesn't Corrode
One of the steel pipe issues is moisture causing rust in compressed air systems. Most systems have added moisture traps to negate this issue, but they do not catch 100% of the water and any moisture will result in corrosion. The aluminum pipe has corrosion-resistant properties that result in optimal airflow, reduced energy costs and better air quality.
Aluminum Outperforms the Copper Alternative
While copper outperforms steel in some areas, it still comes with its disadvantages compared to aluminum. The largest being the cost of copper itself. Over the past four years, we have seen an increase in copper pricing by about 87%. As of writing this, copper is sitting at $3.63/lbs (1/20/21). Aluminum generally comes in lower and after comparing total value, you will see aluminum wins the race.
Also, copper piping requires soldering, which can be an issue in some cases where an open flame is not applicable. Copper will also need skilled workers, more time and can result in leaks that will increase energy costs if not done correctly. Lastly, not all copper pipping types are suitable for high air pressure.
Stainless Steel Presents Obstacles in Cost and Durability
Stainless steel is another option to be considered when installing in a corrosive environment. As with other systems, stainless can be costly to install. It also provides a unique challenge to sealing and requires lubricants to thread correctly. Like the other options, stainless steel requires skilled workers to install correctly, increasing the installation costs and safety concerns through the additional risk of welding.
The Case for Aluminum Piping
Compared to other materials, installing a compressed air system using aluminum piping offers many advantages, including:
It is easier to install and modify than steel or copper pipe systems.
It is much lighter than other materials.
It does not require threading or soldering.
Compressed air provided by a system built with aluminum piping is much cleaner than air delivered by a steel pipe system.
The corrosion-resistant aluminum pipe properties mean optimal airflow, reduced energy costs, and better air quality.
The fittings used by aluminum systems fit securely and leak far less than the threaded systems' fittings.
Overall, you can see aluminum piping is a reliable alternative for compressed air systems. On top of their superior product, AIRpipe brings over 10 years of experience that includes more than 12,000 satisfied customers with 20,000 worldwide projects installing 42,000 kilometers of pipe in 21 countries. Their technologies have been designed & engineered based on feedback from installers, engineers, unions, and distributors involved in the compressed air piping industry. So let us know if you have any questions or would like to get a quote on your next job!
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