PEXa, PEXb, PEXc. Crosslink bonds, who wins?
PEXa, PEXb, PEXc. Crosslink bonds, who wins?
(OP)
We will be selecting a PEX system for use in a radiant tube system in concrete as well as several geothermal loops. I am finding it exhausting trying to find anyone but a salesman to talk with on the subject of properties of PEX. It seems the high end or most expensive is the PEXa but some have indicated PEXb has a higher burst pressure.
Obviously, since a radiant system rarely used higher pressures, the real concern becomes elasticity over time to handle any geological or structure shifts. As I mention to all these salesmen is, who really cares what it does 30 days after mfg and is nice and flexible. What I really care about is what is it going to be like 30 yrs down the road. My experiences with other plastics indicates a large reduction in elasticity.
I am also looking for something that will at least handle a higher temp to provide a large margin for any boiler issues.
Obviously, since a radiant system rarely used higher pressures, the real concern becomes elasticity over time to handle any geological or structure shifts. As I mention to all these salesmen is, who really cares what it does 30 days after mfg and is nice and flexible. What I really care about is what is it going to be like 30 yrs down the road. My experiences with other plastics indicates a large reduction in elasticity.
I am also looking for something that will at least handle a higher temp to provide a large margin for any boiler issues.





RE: PEXa, PEXb, PEXc. Crosslink bonds, who wins?
Then the interface of the tubing material and the hardware couplings...well, good luck finding lifetime info on that.
TygerDawg
Blue Technik LLC
Virtuoso Robotics Engineering
www.bluetechnik.com
RE: PEXa, PEXb, PEXc. Crosslink bonds, who wins?
Any ideas where A guy might go to get unbiased information on materials and performance over time? Seems the multi-line distributors don't know enough to be dangerous and the mfgrs only provide info on why their product is superior.