Multilayer Composite pipes: Basic Information

Geberit PushFit System – Multilayer Pipe

Multilayer composite pipes – General definitions
A large number of multilayer composite pipe variants are still available, which often differ from each other in terms of material and structure, both market and company-specific. However, the progressive standardization by e.g. ISO, ASTM or EN has led to an incipient limitation of the variety of types.

When we (HIX Publishing) talk about mutlilayer pipes, we mean multilayer composite pipes, whose pipe wall consists of at least 2 plastic layers and a metal layer, usually aluminium, arranged between them. The metal layer is continuously welded in the longitudinal seam and is permanently bonded to the plastic layers via adhesion promoters.

Terms used worldwide for multilayer composite pipes:

• Alu composite pipe
• Aluminium multilayer pipe
• Aluminium plastic pipe
• Composite pipe
• Metal plastic pipe (MP pipe)
• Multilayer pipe
• Multilayer composite pipe (MLCP pipe)
• Multilayer composite tube (MCT pipe)
• Multilayer metal pipe
• Multi Tec pipe
• Plastic Aluminium plastic pipe / PAP pipe

“Stabi pipe” is a pipe description from the field of PP-R pipes. This is a pipe in which the middle layer is made of a perforated aluminium foil. According to our definition, this does not (!) fall into the range of multilayer composite pipes.

Henco Multilayer Pipe

The following material combinations are most commonly used:
Inner and outer pipe made of cross-linked Polyethylene: PE-Xa, PE-Xb or PE-Xc; -> PE-X / Al / PE-X pipe

Inner pipe made of cross-linked Polyethylene: PE-Xa, PE-Xb or PE-Xc; Outer pipe made of Polyethylene raised temperature: PE-RT I or II -> PE-X / Al / PE-RT pipe

Inner pipe made of cross-linked Polyethylene: PE-Xa, PE-Xb or PE-Xc; Outer pipe made of Polyethylene: PE-HD, PE-MD -> PE-X / Al / PE pipe

Inner and outer pipe made of Polyethylene raised temperature: PE-RT I or II; -> PE-RT / Al / PE-RT pipe

Inner pipe made of Polyethylene raised temperature: PE-RT I or II; Outer pipe made of Polyethylene: PE-HD, PE-MD -> PE-RT / Al / PE pipe