Quality | Polybutene-1 Piping Systems

The Polybutene Piping Systems Association (PBPSA) member companies are committed to the use of Polybutene-1 for the manufacture of piping systems used in pressurised heating, cooling and plumbing installations.

Our members, all global leaders in their market segments, consider PB-1 to be the technically preferred material providing many advantages over competitive and more traditional materials. This confidence has been well proven over long-term use under continuous pressure in hot and cold installations in sometimes hostile environments.

Continuous advances in both material technology and production processes, combined with stringent EU and International standards, have further raised the performance and reliability of Polybutene-1 piping systems.

Our members have all been manufacturing extensive product ranges with PB-1 for considerable periods and stake their reputations on its quality and suitability for latest technology piping systems which are efficient and problem-free over extended periods of service life.

Independent test results

Long-term reliability and chlorine resistance
ASTM F2023 test report obtained for PB-1 grade Akoalit PB 4267 confirming more than 50 years extrapolated lifetime at continuous use at 60°C and 4 ppm chlorine concentration.   download

Assessment of Polybutylene Plumbing Installation after 18 Years of Service
Presented at Antec 2013 – independent study (onsite evaluation and lab testing) of the condition of a polybutene (PB) plumbing system in a multi-unit apartment complex.   download

International standards protocols specify a minimum performance for PB-1 hot water pipes of 70°C, 10 bar pressure for 50 years.

PB-1 meets National, EU and International standards

• PB-1 is recognised in international plastic pipe standards, e.g. EN ISO 15876, ISO 12230, DIN 16968 and DIN 16969.
• PB-1 pipe is certified for water quality, e.g. by TZW (Technologiezentrum Wasser, Germany) and WRAS (Water Regulations Advisory Scheme, UK) and NSF (National Sanitation Foundation, USA).
• Long-term ISO 9080 tests on PB-1 pipes projecting service lifetimes of over 50 years are carried out according to international protocols by independent and accredited test agencies such as EXOVA.
  Reference curves for PB-1 homopolymer and copolymer grades are available upon request.
• Chlorine Resistance: PB-1 pipes are expected to have service lifetimes of more than 50 years when exposed to water containing 4 ppm chlorine at 60°C. Moreover PB-1 pipe has been shown to perform for >1,000 hours in chlorine content of 30 ppm at 30°C/6 bar (Test Report-No. PB 1087C, Infraserv Höchst Technik, 2004).
  
  PB-1 Standards  link
  PB-1 Standards  download

Material Benefits

• Polybutene-1 is inherently flexible, strong, resilient and light weight, with a density slightly lower than water of 0.92 gm/cc.
• Polybutene-1 pipes and fittings are odourless and tasteless and meet 'contact with food' approvals. They are therefore ideal for use in drinking water applications.

Ease of installation

• Long flexible pipe in coils means less connections
• Few tools required and no flame, heat and fluxes needed
• PB-1 systems' suppliers provide complete systems thus performance and integrity are guaranteed
• Lightweight, flexible PB-1 piping is easy to ship and handle onsite

Service benefits

• Drinking water and heating pipe systems made from PB-1 are completely corrosion free.
• No scale build-up and encrustation in hard water supply areas ensures long-term efficiency for water heating and circulation systems
• Resistance to freezing temperatures – PB-1 pipes will not burst due to freeze-ups.
• Low thermal conductivity of PB-1 means that hot water pipes are cooler to the touch than conventional metal pipes and condensation is reduced.
• PB-1 piping is electrically non-conductive, providing a safer system with minimum earthing requirements.
• PB-1 pipes can be installed as a conduit 'pipe in pipe' system through concrete floors and walls to ensure ease of access and  maintenance.
   

Polybutene is often referred to as Polybutene-1, Polybutylene, PB-1 or PB.

Polybutene is not sold by PBPSA members for use in pipe applications intended for use in North America, and those parties require their customers or distributors not to sell products made from Polybutene into pipe applications for North America.