Silicone corrugated tubes are produced through a continuous extrusion process for one-time molding, featuring smooth inner walls, excellent conformability, and a seamless integration of the spiral section with the thin-walled tube. The tubes are lightweight, offer robust bonding, and do not kink when bent. Silicone braided tubes are made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and are welded into straight pipes using the Dusseldorf pipe welding technique. They not only resolve the issue of blade blockage but also reduce subsequent drainage costs, finding wide application.
The differences lie in:
1. Different production processes
Although both are structural tubes, silicone wrapped tubes are formed by a composite molding process and are also formed through a secondary wrapping, boasting strong electrical resistance properties. However, silicone bellows are formed by mechanical and equipment extrusion, with a hole in the tube wall, and their strength is slightly lower than that of silicon.
Strength of the jacketed pipe.
2. Various appearances
Due to the spiral formation of the silicone wrapped tube, it features a helical thread. However, the wave tube exhibits a granular texture, with the grains being more rounded, essentially forming a circle.
3. Varying Prices
The primary reason is the difference in production process costs; silicone wrapped tubes are more expensive than silicone corrugated tubes, yet they also outperform corrugated tubes in various aspects.
4. Various Structures
For example, silicone wrapped pipes generally require high surface pressure, while silicone corrugated pipes are commonly used for drainage in residential areas, and are suitable for construction environments with lower load-bearing capacity.
Three Key Properties of Silicone Wavy Hoses:
Ring Stiffness:
Ring stiffness indicates a pipe's resistance to external pressure. The higher the KN/m2 value, the greater the ring stiffness, meaning the pipe's external pressure resistance is greater, and consequently, the wall thickness of the pipe is thicker.
Impact Resistance:
Using the drop-weight impact test, the actual impact rate (TIR) is less than 10% at 0+1°C (which can be understood as 10 out of 100, but not entirely the same). Factors affecting impact resistance are similar to those affecting hoop stiffness.
Ring Softness:
The flexible testing device for rings has the same ring stiffness but a larger compression amount. When the vertical outer diameter deforms to 30% of the original diameter, the specimen is unloaded immediately. The smoothness of the inner wall, the presence of reverse bending, any fractures, and whether the two walls separate all reflect the pipe's resistance to deformation.
In addition to hoop stiffness, hoop flexibility, and impact resistance, national standards also require the creep ratio (indicating the creep of the bellows after deformation under external force, affecting the product's service life) and the oven test (reflecting the bonding strength of the inner and outer walls of the double-walled bellows and the structural stability).
