The supply of plastic pipes is carried out in segments of a certain length or in bays. Being twisted, the products are deformed and take the form of rings. Therefore, it is important to know not only how to bend the plastic pipe, but also how to straighten it. After all, such a product belongs to the category of building materials, which, when handled improperly, are very easy to damage. However, knowing the features of such products, it is possible to solve these problems at home.
It is easy to bend or straighten a plastic pipe after heating it, and for this you can use a building hair dryer
Content
Features of the PND polymer
A key characteristic of low pressure polyethylene is its good resilience. This property is maintained at material temperature. If the HDPE is heated to + 80 ° C, then it softens and becomes more viscous, which will lead to a decrease in the ability to resist deformations. Still raising the temperature is allowed only for a short time.
It should be borne in mind that pipes made of low pressure polyethylene are produced at a temperature of + 130 ° C. It is then that the raw material acquires a plastic mass structure. And at high temperatures, the products are destroyed without any external mechanical impact. This answers the question of how the HDPE pipe is straightened or bent: this is done by its plastic deformation. Simply put, at first the product is very hot, and then it is given the necessary shape.
Bending methods
In order to give the PND product a configuration with the required parameters, two methods are used:
- using a special molding machine;
- using a building hair dryer.
Let's consider each of these methods in more detail.
In industrial conditions, plastic pipes are molded using molding machines.
How the HDPE pipe bends using a molding machine
First you need to prepare the frame. This accessory will fulfill the function of protecting the workpiece from damage. You can make the frame from the usual fiberboard. But it is necessary to take into account the diameter of the bent pipe.
Then you have to perform the following operations:
- make a silicone shell. It will perform the function of securing and protecting the workpiece;
- insert a pipe into it and fix it in a prefabricated frame of fiberboard;
- to fix the whole structure in the molding apparatus;
- then the polymer product is heated and actually bent;
- after this, allow the workpiece to cool.
Tip! The surface of the frame should be flat and not have any defects. To do this, sand it well with sandpaper.
We bend the PND pipe at home with a building hair dryer
And here, first you need to make the frame / template from fiberboard. But the next steps are different.
- heat your favorite place with a building hairdryer;
- slowly rotate the pipe to heat evenly;
- install the softened workpiece in a pre-made molding frame;
- bend the pipe with such force that the material does not burst at the point of deformation. After the required bending angle is created, leave the product to cool;
- remove the cooled workpiece.
As a template for bending, you can use nails or screws placed in a semicircle on the board
Using a hair dryer requires certain rules to be followed. In particular, when heating the workpiece, be extremely careful. A significant distance of the heat source from its surface will cause insufficient polymer softening, which will lead to improper deformation. On the other hand, exposure to high temperatures, not to mention open fire, can cause a material to ignite.
Talking about how a plastic pipe bends at home would be incomplete without mentioning another way. It is a treatment with hot liquid. It should be said right away that this method is suitable for pipes whose diameter is less than 50 mm. With a small amount of work, to warm up a small area HDPE pipes a few liters of hot water will suffice. Observe safety precautions to avoid burns. In industry, the heating procedure is carried out in special bathtubs. In this case, the temperature of the liquid contained therein is + 135 ° C.
How to straighten an HDPE pipe with your own hands
The most budgetary option for straightening HDPE elements of the pipeline under construction can be implemented in the summer. Actually, at this time of the year most of the work on laying engineering communications of suburban cottages is being carried out. In this case, you can simply stretch the pipes in the garden, firmly fixing the ends and leave them in the sun for some time. Halls that arose during transportation and storage will soon disappear.
To straighten the HDPE pipe, it is slightly stretched when laying manually or using equipment
Of course, specially waiting for the summer, and delaying the construction of the pipeline due to the curvature of its constituent elements, is an unjustified waste of time. If it is already cold outside, then in order to straighten the curved sections, it is necessary to stretch the pipes in the same way as in the summer, but treat them with warm water or hot air. At the same time, with a significant length of communication, professionals recommend using a special device - a trolley with an aluminum frame. It can be used to straighten pipes with a diameter of 14 ≤ D ≤ 20 mm. Bends are eliminated by means of rotating rollers, and rubberized wheels provide ease of movement.
Good to know! To straighten a workpiece of small length, you can heat its individual sections.
When choosing the most suitable equipment, give preference to the sample that has:
- the ability to adjust the temperature;
- several operating modes;
- air flow control device.
By choosing the right equipment, you can not only give PND pipes the necessary configuration, but also, practically, refuse to use fittings.
How PVC pipe bends at home
As soon as it came to the methods of bending and straightening plastic pipes, for the sake of completeness of the consideration of this issue, it is worth mentioning the PVC products. Many home masters do in this case without additional equipment. To bend the PVC products, they heat up the bulk material (sand or salt mass) in the oven. In order to realize the plan, in addition to the preheated oven, you will also need a baking sheet. After heating the granular mass to the required temperature, using a scoop and a construction funnel, it is necessary to pour it into the cavity of the PVC product. It should be remembered that you can only use a metal funnel and the same barrier cover.
The easiest way to heat up a bend pipe is to pour hot sand or salt into it.
An important nuance in solving the problem of how a PVC pipe bends in this way at home is to determine the temperature of the granular mass sufficient to perform this process.The fact that it should exceed 80 ° C is beyond doubt. In the region of this mark, polyvinyl chloride begins to soften. The data presented in the special literature on the physical properties of this material allow us to draw the following conclusion: in order to successfully bend PVC pipes, the temperature of the granular mass must be within.
Pour the heated salt or sand into the pipe, after having put on the hole, which will be located below, the barrier cover. After a few minutes (the specific time depends on the wall thickness of the PVC product), bend the pipe until the desired bending angle is reached. It is necessary to do this without putting much effort. Then place the pipe under an open water tap and start cooling. Since salt and sand are characterized by high heat capacity, this process can take several minutes, up to ten. From a cooled pipe, shake the loose mass and rinse its cavity with a stream of water.
Using this method, you can bend PVC pipe products 90 degrees. Moreover, the cross section in the bending section retains the shape of a circle.
It's important to know! Cold polyvinyl chloride is not harmful to human health. However, it is a carcinogen. Therefore, heat PVC pipes in a respirator and provide ventilation in the room where work is carried out.
It is understandable that with the use of granular mass, it is also possible to straighten previously bent PVC pipes at home.
In conclusion, it is worth noting that specialists advise using a method for bending or leveling that takes into account the level of pressure of the working medium in plastic engineering communications. The deformation that occurs during any of these procedures should not affect the technical characteristics of the pipe, reduce its strength and, as a result, reduce the reliability of the entire pipeline.
