LUOYANG DATANG ENERGY TECH CO.,LTD
Pex pipe and floor heating system perfect encounter.”1+1>2″
With the continuous improvement of people’s living comfort and building energy consumption requirements, the traditional radiator heating is gradually replaced by the floor heating system. Among the many floor heating pipe materials, PEX pipe (cross-linked polyethylene pipe) has become the “blood vessel” choice for plumbing and floor heating systems due to its excellent physical properties and engineering adaptability.
How is PEX pipe manufactured?
By using chemical or physical methods to form a ‘three-dimensional network structure’ in polyethylene molecular chains, ordinary plastic is upgraded into engineering pipes that are resistant to high temperatures, pressure, creep, and frost expansion.
Three Major Cross-Linking Processes
PEX-a (Peroxide Method): Cross-linked simultaneously at high temperature during extrusion, with the highest degree of cross-linking (70%~85%), offering the best flexibility and shape memory.
PEX-b (Silane Method): Cross-linked by curing in hot water/steam after extrusion, featuring low equipment requirements and high cost-effectiveness, with the largest market share.
PEX-c (Radiation Method): Finished pipes are cross-linked through electron beam irradiation, with no chemical residues and a uniform structure, mostly used for high-standard projects.
Underfloor heating is an efficient heating system.
The floor heating system distributes heat evenly to the floor, which then radiates the heat into the room. Usually, a layer of thermal insulation is installed beneath the heating elements to prevent heat loss. The system may take longer to heat up compared to traditional radiators, but it retains heat longer after being turned off, providing continuous comfort.
Why do underfloor heating systems prefer PEX pipes?
The floor heating system is divided into water heating and electric heating according to the heat source medium. PEX pipes are specifically used for water floor heating.
| Laying Method | Requires a large number of elbows/welding, high risk at buried joints | Can be coiled in whole rolls, zero underground joints, leakage probability approaching 0 |
| Thermal Response | Thick pipe wall, high heat capacity, slow temperature rise | Thin pipe wall (usually 2.0~2.3mm), fast heat conduction, more responsive temperature control at room temperature |
| System Noise | Water flow impact easily causes ‘water hammer’ noise | Polymer material absorbs vibration, quiet operation |
| Overall Cost | Expensive materials, high labor, frequent maintenance | later Slightly higher initial investment, but fast installation, long service life, total lifecycle cost reduced by 30% |
The low-temperature radiant heating characteristic of floor heating (with supply water usually between 35~55℃) happens to fall within the optimal operating range of PEX, forming a ‘low temperature, high efficiency, and material durability’ golden combination.
Core Advantage：
- Temperature and Pressure Resistance: Long-term operating temperature of 60–70°C, can reach 90°C for short periods; pressure resistance of 1.0–1.6 MPa, fully covering underfloor heating conditions.
- Frost Resistance: The pipe body can elastically deform when water freezes and expands, and is not easily broken after thawing.
- Smooth Inner Wall: Low hydraulic resistance, not easy to scale, heat transfer efficiency increased by 15%~20%.
- Chemical Inertia: Resistant to acids and alkalis, resistant to chloride ion corrosion, suitable for various water qualities and antifreeze solutions.
- Lifetime Guarantee: According to ISO 15875/GB/T 18992.2 standards, the designed service life is≥ 50 years.
The application of PEX pipes in plumbing and underfloor heating has evolved from ‘a single material replacement’ to ‘thermodynamic system integration.’ Its value lies not only in the pipe’s own temperature and pressure resistance but also in the complete closed loop formed with insulation structures, hydraulic design, and heat source control. Choosing the right oxygen barrier pipe, controlling loop pressure properly, strictly following backfill regulations, and maintaining closed water systems are key to delivering ‘half a century of silent warmth.’ Against the backdrop of the dual-carbon targets and the continuous upgrading of building energy efficiency standards, PEX underfloor heating is shifting from an improvement-oriented configuration to the fundamental infrastructure of new residential and public buildings, becoming an invisible cornerstone of a low-carbon living environment.
Company Profile
Luoyang Datang Energy Tech Co., Ltd. is a leading Chinese manufacturer specializing in high-quality plastic pipes and fittings. Equipped with state-of-the-art automated production lines and supported by a team of 200 professionals, we offer an extensive product line comprising over 150 types of plastic pipes and fittings designed for water supply and drainage systems, gas transmission, and floor heating systems. Our main products include PVC Pipes and Fittings, PE (HDPE) Pipes and Fittings, PPR Pipes and Fittings, and PEX Floor Heating Pipes.
Should you have any inquiries regarding HDPE Pipe Fitting, please do not hesitate to contact us!
Tel.:0086-183 3790 0677
Wechat: 0086-183 3790 0677
Whatsapp: 0086-183 3790 0677
Email: sales@pipesandfittings.net
