Heating and plumbing made of polypropylene (PP-R) outperforms other plastic systems by an important criterion - the price of materials and components. The second expense item - installation of networks - many homeowners reduce to zero in a simple way - do the work on their own. For welding joints, 2 devices are purchased - a soldering iron for polypropylene pipes with a set of nozzles and special scissors. It remains to find out which welding machine is better to choose for home use.
The design of the welding machine for PPR
A hand-held electric soldering iron (masters call it an “iron”) designed for soldering plastic pipes and fittings consists of the following parts:
- housing with a transformer block, thermostat and controls, equipped with a handle;
- a heating element with a power of 500 to 2 kW is installed in front of the case, depending on the model;
- stand and power cable plugged into a regular 220 volt outlet.
Reference. In the instructions for use, manufacturers indicate that the device is suitable for joining various plastic pipes. In practice, electric soldering irons are used in the installation of PPR systems; polyethylene, metal-plastic and PVC pipelines are connected in other ways.
The heating of polypropylene parts is carried out using nozzles with a diameter of 16 ... 63 mm (household series) coated with a Teflon non-stick layer. The appearance and principle of operation of the device has a certain similarity with a conventional iron:
- The user switches on the heating and sets the regulator to the required temperature, for polypropylene - 260 ° С.
- When the platform with nozzles reaches a predetermined temperature threshold, the thermostat turns off the heating element.
- In the process of pipe welding, the surface of the “iron” begins to cool, so the automation activates heating again.
For welding parts from PP-R, a deviation from the set limit of not more than 5 degrees is allowed, polypropylene is heated to the melting threshold. Exceeding the temperature leads to a change in the structure of the material - the plastic "flows" and fills the pipe bore.
Insufficient heating gives a poor-quality compound that loses its tightness after 3-12 months. How to weld a polypropylene joint, read in a separate material.
Varieties of "irons"
Manual soldering irons for plastic pipes are divided into types according to the following criteria:
- The shape of the heating element is either rod or xiphoid. The nozzles are attached to a cylindrical platform Ø32 mm with special clamps, on a flat one - they are twisted through holes.
- The design of the thermostat is mechanical or electronic. The latter more accurately maintains the temperature for soldering.
- The number of nozzles attached to the electric heater at the same time is from 1 to 4 pcs.
- Destination Professional and amateur models differ in body color, the manufacturer chooses a specific color.
Note. Welding machines for professionals, for example, Dytron Polys P-4, are often equipped with a microprocessor controller that maintains a temperature within 260 ± 1.5 ° С. The second convenient option is an audible signal informing about the end of heating, the moment of rearrangement and the cooling time of the joint.
As a rule, amateur series of soldering irons are equipped with a mechanical thermostat and manual adjustment. Electronics and sound alerts are a sign of a professional-class device (in addition to color and cost).
We characterize various forms of heating elements:
- a straight rod and xiphoid platform is used for soldering PPR pipes with a diameter of 16 ... 63 mm and simultaneously accommodates 2–4 nozzles;
- for socket welding of trunks of more than 63 mm, an “iron” with a spherical element is used, where 1 pair of nozzles is attached;
- angular cylindrical platform is needed for work in hard-to-reach places, the maximum number of nozzles is 2.
Welding machines are rarely sold bare. Typically, the kit includes 3 "running" nozzles - under the pipe 20, 25 and 32 mm. The extended set contains all sizes in the range of 16 ... 63 mm. The quality and reliability of the nozzles depends on the thickness of the Teflon layer. The coating of cheap elements quickly wears out, polypropylene begins to stick during heating.
Reference. A complete set of soldering equipment also includes scissors for cutting pipes, fixing clips, keys for attaching nozzles, the construction level and even gloves.
Which soldering iron is better - rod or xiphoid
Judging by the reviews of the installers, the shape of the heater does not affect the quality of the connection of pipes of small diameters. But other factors play a role:
- if you compare equipment of the same price category, a soldering iron for polypropylene with a flat platform will be cheaper;
- the xiphoid element, where you can put 3 pairs of nozzles, is more convenient to use on the table than when assembling the finished heating sections in the premises of a private house;
- the rod platform allows you to mount the nozzle at the end of the heater and work in cramped conditions, reaching difficult places;
- the shoe nozzle on the clamp is easier to replace during installation.
Tip. Not the last role is played by balancing the appliance by weight. Check how convenient the device is in the palm of your hand and take a more suitable model.
Popular brands and equipment price
The assortment of “irons” for soldering PPR pipelines is very wide, therefore compiling a sane rating of products is not easy. We offer a different approach: we list the manufacturers of soldering irons, which are most often featured in reviews on various forums:
- The highest price category is Rothenberger (Germany), Dytron (Czech Republic), Rekon (Britain, made in China). Prices range between 235 ... 400 at. e.
- Electric soldering irons of average cost - CANDAN (Turkey), Valtec (Italy - China), PATRIOT (USA - China), SUPER-EGO (Spain). Prices - from 55 at. e.
- Other devices are cheaper than $ 50, manufactured in the countries of the former USSR and China. There are a lot of manufacturers: Forte, Brima, Caliber, Encore, Resanta and so on.
The second factor is the reliability of the design of the device. For example, an amateur version of the Czech brand Dytron Polys P-1b will cost 155 y. e., a professional Dytron Polys P-4a costs already 215 at. e.
Recommendations for choosing a soldering iron
Masters who have been working with polypropylene for a long time do not need our advice - they understood from their own experience which tool is best to choose. Another thing is for beginners and ordinary homeowners who want to save on installation once and solder their own heating. You should choose a soldering iron according to the following criteria:
- power;
- price;
- heater geometry and number of nozzles installed;
- the convenience of a tripod (stand).
Tip one. For training on welding and soldering a home heating system made of polypropylene, it is enough to buy an inexpensive Chinese apparatus. He will calmly withstand installation work and will subsequently serve in case of repair or alteration. Some of the nuances of operating a cheap tool will be revealed later.
Let's move on to the remaining recommendations:
- Sufficient power is needed for the “iron” to quickly respond and heat the platform in contact with the pipe and fitting. 600 W is enough for a device with one nozzle for welding pipelines with a diameter of up to 40 mm.
- For 3 nozzles and pipes Ø16 ... 32 mm, choose a soldering iron with a power of up to 1.2 kW, no longer needed.
- If the budget allows, buy a Turkish-made welding device, for example, CANDAN. The soldering iron is reliable and relatively high quality, proven by the masters.
- To work in uncomfortable conditions, it is better to take the rod version of the device.
- Do not save on nozzles - get 2-3 necessary sizes, but of good quality.
- Make sure that the soldering iron does not hang in the tripod, this reduces the convenience of work.
Now about the savings by renting equipment. It’s not profitable for a beginner to rent an “iron” - it’s easier to buy a cheap device of the lowest price category. But sometimes large sellers of polypropylene hold promotions - when buying a certain number of pipes they give a soldering iron for temporary use for free.
If you decide to choose an inexpensive model of a soldering iron, you need to take into account one nuance: such a tool often fails with a heating temperature, the error reaches ± 10 degrees. The way out of the situation is simple: with the help of a contact thermometer or a pyrometer, you adjust the real temperature empirically, making measurements and adjusting the device with a manual regulator.
Comment. Do the same when working with polypropylene of unknown origin. Such material often melts ahead of time or, conversely, requires more intense heating.
The problem with the dangling tripod is also quite solvable. The stand is screwed to the table with a clamp, and the soldering iron is fixed in the socket with a self-tapping screw, as is done above in the photo. And the last: the power cord of cheap models is quickly twisted near the case, copper cores are broken. It is necessary to monitor the wire or tighten it with electrical tape.
Conclusion
The ideal option for the home craftsman is soldering irons for polypropylene pipes from Turkish manufacturers. They decent withstand the temperature of welding and have a sufficient supply of power. The device’s life will be enough to mount plastic pipes in its own home and help ten more neighbors. The main thing is to choose the power and geometry of the "iron" correctly.