General Properties of the Buteline Pipe Material - PB

PB resins are flexible, linear polyolefins offering a unique combination of properties. They are produced from 1-butene as homopolymers and as copolymers with ethylene. Some of their important characteristics are: excellent resistance to creep at room and elevated temperatures - no failures after long term loading at 90% of yield strength; good toughness ( high yield strength, high impact strength, high tear strength, high puncture resistance); and exceptional resistance to environmental stress cracking.

Other important advantages include good moisture barrier properties, excellent electrical insulation characteristics, and resistance to most chemical environments.

The most important commercial application for Polybutene-1 (PB) is in plumbing pipe for residential and commercial use.

Polybutene-1 (PB) piping systems (PB) technically outperforms all other plastic alternatives.

Basell Polyolefins is the world's leading Polybutene-1 (PB) Polymer (PB-1) manufacturer. Buteline sources its requirements of PB-1 for the manufacture of its PB plumbing systems from Basell. Buteline PB pipe is technically superior and will outperform any other plastic alternative such as Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene (PE), Cross-link Polyethylene (PEX) as used for potable water plumbing. PB piping is purpose designed for Hot and Cold potable plumbing pipe. Only PB piping can achieve high temperature and high stress but maintain lower wall thickness to ensure adequate water flow through the pipe network. Buteline PB pipe is non-corrosive, lightweight and flexible yet extremely tough. In fact, Polybutene-1 (PB-1) piping has performed in excess of 30 years.

Back to Top

High Flexibility
PB has the lowest flexural modulus of all the polymer resins used for domestic hot and cold water plumbing pipes. Longer pipe runs can be used to accommodate change of direction.

• Flexibility comparison.

Tensile Strength/Pressure Performance
Pipes made from PB-1 has very high tensile strength even at higher temperatures resulting in high-pressure resistance and higher design stress than other plastic pipes also at elevated temperatures. This allows enhanced flexibility and lower wall thickness, as well as larger bore diameter providing greater and necessary water flow through pipes, resulting in excellent performance from plumbing installations.

• Performance comparison.

Creep Resistance
The Polybutene-1 (PB-1) pipe has excellent creep resistance that can not be attained by any other polymer used for plumbing purposes today. By reason of this PB-1 pipes maintain their unique pressure performance over very long service life times.

• Creep behavior of Polyolefins.

Buteline Polybutene-1 (PB-1) pipe manufactured from Basell PB-1 resin possesses a unique combination of properties that makes it technically superior and the correct choice for behind the wall plumbing pipe applications. The long term performance and durability of plumbing systems cannot be under estimated.

Back to Top

Performance Benefits of Buteline PB Pipe:

• Easier installation
  The flexibility of PB pipes also provides easier installation in confined spaces. PB pipe is lightweight and colored grey for ease of identification.
   
• Corrosion Free
  Pipe produced from PB-1 will not corrode like traditional pipes ie copper or GI because it does not react with ionic species commonly found in water and the service environment. Use of Buteline PB pipes enables use of a wide variety of Buteline polymer fittings, eliminating the use of solder and solvents. Buteline PB system unlike copper will not corrode and leach, harmful and dangerous substance into the potable water
   
• No Scale Build-Up
  A common and major problem encountered and particularly in "hard" water areas is the build-up of scale on the internal walls of metal pipes, gradually reducing the internal bore and ultimately restricting flow and reducing water pressure at the faucet. This problem is costly and has a dramatic water wasting effect. Being non-metallic, PB pipes are unaffected by scale build-up, making them an ideal installation choice.
   
• Silent Operation
  Research shows that the public demands quieter plumbing. The investment in plumbing must suit consumer needs. Buteline PB Plumbing Systems eliminate noisy operation and water hammer commonly caused by hard metal systems with quick acting valves.

Back to Top
 
 

Back to Top