What is the Pex Al Pex Pipe?

The pex al pex pipe is a new type of piping that is making an impression in the plumbing business. It is made of cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) with an aluminum layer bonded to both the inner and outer layers. It has an extremely high resistance to corrosion, mineral accumulation and erosion which is a big advantage over copper and galvanized steel. It is fairly cheap and easy to install, so it is a good choice for renovation or DIY projects.

Oxygen barrier pex piping is used in hydronic heating systems such as baseboard/radiator and fan coils, radiant floor heating and snow melt applications. It is also suitable for hot and cold water plumbing installations. It is NSF certified for potable use and lead-free compliant.

It has an external coating that blocks the diffusion of oxygen molecules which prevents the corrosion of cast iron components in the system, such as circulator pumps and air purgers. This feature also makes it a good choice for use in basements or other underground locations where the piping will be exposed to sunlight.

The most significant difference between the two pipes is that the PEX-AL-PEX pipe has an additional aluminum layer bonded to both the inner and outside layers of the extruded polyethylene. This adds to the strength of the pipe and also accounts for the higher weight. The aluminum also adds to the corrosion resistance of the piping. Another notable difference is that the PEX-AL-PEX tubing has “coil memory,” meaning it tends to return to the shape it was bent into. This is a great feature to have in a tubing system because it eliminates the need to tie the pipe down every few feet like you would do with standard PEX tubing. pex al pex pipe