Polyethylene is a widely used plastic material. Polyethylene or PE is widely used as a pipe and other materials.
PEX, on the other hand, a modified version of Polyethylene. PEX can take more pressure and more heat and operate perfectly in low temperatures. Let’s find out if you can use PEX for gas.
Can you use PEX for gas?
PEX can take an ample amount of heat and pressure. PEX is suitable for gas too. As gas pipes are always under huge internal pressure within them. PEX is the cross-linked Polyethylene. It has more structural links within its structure and is stronger than regular PE or Polyethylene.
Not all pex is suitable for gas lines. That is why you need to make sure that you choose the right one. But does pex work with all kinds of gas? Let’s find out.
Natural gas:
Generally, natural gas is compressed within the pipeline, and the pressure typically ranges from ¼ to 60 PSI.
And PEX can take around 800 PSI of pressure. So, natural gas pressure is quite less than the pressure PEX can take. On the other hand, PE pipe can take 58 PSI to 235 PSI.
LP gas:
LP gas or Liquid Petroleum gas is used widely throughout the world now. It is used both in manufacturing facilities and in vehicles as fuel. The pressure it exerts in a pipeline is 21.75 PSI to 359.69 PSI.
As we know, cross-linked Polyethylene can take around 800 PSI of pressure, and it can work perfectly in coldness, so you can use PEX for LP gas.
Gasoline:
If the temperature exceeds the regular 180 degrees of Fahrenheit, there is a chance of leakage in the PEX pipeline. Also, it is not recommended to use commercially. But the hydrocarbon of gasoline will not harm the PEX.
Thus, it is safe to use PEX to pass gasoline through. The problem with gasoline and PEX is the grease emitted from the gasoline can stick to the pipeline, and the flow of gasoline eventually.
Propane gas:
You can use PEX for propane gas. Make sure that you are using PEX, not PE. PEX plastics are more durable than PE. Generally, gases are kept at lower temperatures, and maintaining the temperature is necessary.
Most of the time, people use PE piping to pass propane gas through the pipeline, but you can use PEX pipes.
Can you use blue pex for gas line?
You can use blue PEX for the gas line. There are about three-color types in PEX pipes. The blue one is for cold water. The red PEX pipe is for hot water. White-colored one is used as a supply line. As natural gases are kept inside of the pipeline at a lower temperature.
So that the pipe doesn’t blow up when delivering the gas through the line. Blue PEX pipe is made to supply cold water through it.
Thus, a blue PEX pipe will be a better option for the gas line. Regardless of color bands, you can supply gas through any PEX pipes. PEX is safe and provides high flexibility along with a low price.
What is better pex or black pipe for gas?
Black pipe is the traditional option for gas. Generally, the black pipe is used everywhere. It is safer than any other gas pipes available on the market.
It has rusting issues, but still, it can supply gas without any problem. Black pipe is airtight, and it is easy to install. As the gas doesn’t cause any rusting issues, you can use it as a gas pipe.
On the other hand, the PEX pipe has no rusting issues, but if there is a high amount of heat from outside, the PEX will break down. Though a highly modified version of PEX is used to supply gas.
From that point of view, PEX is a better option than the traditional black pipe. If your building design doesn’t allow PEX pipes, then the black pipe has to be the best option.
4 reasons why you can use pex for gas
As you know you can use the pex pipe for gas lines, but what makes it eligible to use along. Let’s find out.
Durable:
We know anything made of plastic is durable. Polyethylene is used widely for being durable for a longer term. On the other hand, cross-linked Polyethylene or PEX is stronger and stays longer.
Moreover, PEX is flexible and works perfectly under pressure, heat, and coldness. That’s why you can use it for gas.
Better than Metal alternative:
Metal alternatives such as copper, steel, and iron pipes are used worldwide. But the main problem with iron pipes is rust, and it is not durable as
PEX. Steel pipes are not used that much because they are not flexible, but they are high cost. Copper is costly, flexible, and good for conducting. But PEX is durable, cheaper, and easy to install and use. That’s why it is a better alternative.
Cheaper than other Material:
As you have seen, PEX is not as costly as copper. Instead of copper, other metals are not durable enough. PEX can take a good amount of heat, and it is an insulator.
As we know, PE or polyethylene pipes are also used, but PEX is a better and cheaper option. Copper is costlier than PEX, but it serves the same purpose.
Highly Flexible:
With durability, PEX plastics are flexible too. Distributing gas through the pipeline needs to be flexible to easily distribute the gas in different channels. You can use PEX and metal pipes together too.
What kind of PEX is used for natural gas?
There are three kinds of PEX available in the market. These pipes are made of cross-linked Polyethylene, but the making process is different.
PEX-A is made in the process where the peroxide method is used. The most common type of PEX is PEX-B, made using silane- Moisture cure technique. And the PEX-C type is made using electronic irradiation. PEX-A is more flexible but less durable than B type and C type PEX.
On the other hand, B-type PEX is durable but less flexible, but C-type PEX is the best overall. So, you should use PEX-C for natural gas. PEX-C is better as it has durability and flexibility at the same time.
What color of pex is for gas?
The best pipe for gas is the corrugated yellow stainless-steel piping. This yellow color of piping is used for gas. There is a different layer of materials used in this pipe. PEX and stainless steel are used in this pipe to increase strength, flexibility, and longevity.
Gas is distributed through the pipeline. There is a pressure that the gas itself exerts. This pressure is way less than the PEX can handle. PEX can handle a pressure of 800 PSI. On the other hand, the maximum gas pressure is 60 PSI.
However, if you mix metal with cross-linked polyethylene polymer together, you will get a tougher version of pipe. That’s why corrugated yellow stainless-steel piping or CSST piping is used for gas distribution.
How to install pex gas line?
The things you need to have before you install your PEX gas line, are PEX pipe, risers, fittings, and safety equipment. Then you can proceed further to the step-by-step process of how you can install the gas line.
Make Sure Your Pipe is SDR 11:
If your PEX pipe is SDR 11, then the pressure and airflow will not hamper the inside of the pipeline. SDR stands for Standard Dimension Ratio. It is important to have the right wall thickness, or the pipe may not take an ample pressure.
Connect one part of PEX with the Metal Gas Pipe:
Ensure the PEX line is always stays underground. The part that will expose over the ground is the Metal gas pipe.
Remember, the PEX gas line is durable to stay underground, but if any sort of sharp Material touches it, it will cause the gas line to cut off.
Use a Yellow PEX line:
Using the Yellow PEX line is recommended. CSST pipeline is yellow in color, and it is stronger than regular PEX pipes.
Always keep the pipeline underground or fix it with something that may not cause any harm to the line. By doing such work, you can ensure your PEX line durability for a longer time.
Final Thoughts
You can use PEX or cross-linked Polyethylene as the standard gas line. PEX is durable, and can be used for water supply and gas supply. It is safe to use. And you can use this type of pipe fittings only when the building code and standard align with it. This is better than regular PE pipelines.