Polybutene-1 has an unrivalled balance of properties to satisfy the demands of the hot and cold pressurised water pipe market. The main properties however which distinguish the performance of Polybutene-1 pipe from other candidate materials are its flexibility combined with superior resistance to stress over long periods of time at high temperatures. For the plumber, this results in a pipe product that is easy to work with and economical to install. The consumer also benefits from a plumbing system capable of providing long-term security with significant safety margins when compared with competitive polyolefin systems at similar pipe wall thicknesses.

Polybutene-1 has the added advantage that it can also be used for the production of fittings, thereby allowing the installation of complete piping systems (employing pipe sizes from 6 mm to 225 mm diameter) using just one type of raw material.

It is possible to produce Polybutene-1 pipe which is practically impermeable to oxygen, making it suitable for 'closed loop' heating applications, where resistance to the ingress of oxygen through the pipe wall into the circulating water system is mandatory in order to resist corrosion of the system's metal components. Polybutene-1 itself however is non-corrosive, resists frost damage, is inert to water hardness/softness, and exhibits low and silent thermal expansion. A visit to the Benefits and Advantages section further amplifies these important performance aspects of Polybutene-1 piping systems.

More detailed information on key pipe performance parameters can be obtained from the links in the menu above.