WIXLIB

LK PE-Xa Pipeswww.lkpex.se

LK Pex’ HistoryHow it all startedLagerstedt & Krantz (LK) was founded in 1910 in Stockholm, Sweden. Today thebusiness has grown into a group of sixteen companies with a presence in severalcountries and an annual turnover of approximately 100 million EUR. The mainbusiness sectors within the LK Group specialize in the manufacture, sales anddistribution of products and systems for heating and plumbing as well as themarine industry.Established in 1998, LK Pex was founded as a new company within the LK Groupwith the aim of manufacturing PE-Xa pipes to serve the needs of LK Systems,one of the largest under floor heating companies in Scandinavia. From its manufacturing site in Ulricehamn (a small town 100 km east of Gothenburg), LK Pexis now producing pipes for customers throughout Europe and as far away as theUSA and the Middle East.Lagerstedt & Krantz’s head office in Stockholm,SwedenThe LK Pex Story So FarIn 1998 we started to develop our own unique production method of PE-Xapipes using the latest technology available. Thanks to Mr Lennart Ågren, aworld-wide well-reputed person in the field of PEX pipes who has been with thecompany since the beginning, we have the most competitive PE-Xa productionin the world. Full manufacturing production commenced in January 2000 withcustomers all over the world.Today we annually produce 80 million meters with a continuous growth ofPE-Xa pipes, PE-RT pipes and cross linked inliners for flexible hoses. However,one benefit is universal through-out the range – the FLEXIBILITY of our pipes.LK Pex production site in Ulricehamn, SwedenDevelopement in focusWe are always aiming to extending the dimension range and further developingthe materials for new applications in assorted industries.LK Pex has a well equipped laboratory for in-house control of our products tosecure high quality for our customers.Our world-class Development Department has several times developedexcellent new products and techniques. Being first on the market is one of thereasons for LK Pex’ success.Antioxidants

Mission and VisionOur mission is to supply and serve customers needs in various industriesthroughout the world with high quality service, pipes and hoses.Our vision is to remain one of the most efficient pipe producers in the world,still with highest quality regarding flexibility, strength, service and reliabledeliveries.

LK PE-Xa pipesProduction methodThe method used to cross link Polyethylene into PEX pipes determines the type;PE-Xa is cross linked with peroxide, PE-Xb by using silane and PE-Xc byelectron beams. PE-Xa is the fastest growing production method in the world ofthe three. Cross linking of LK Pex pipes is initiated by peroxide radicals,meaning they are PE-Xa pipes.For the production of LK PE-Xa pipes, IR light is used to form peroxide radicals.LK Pex have the longest experience and are also the largest PE-Xa pipeproducer worldwide utilizing the new modern short wave IR technology forcross linking of the pipes.In general, PE-Xb pipes have the highest density, followed by PE-Xc and PE-Xa.LK PE-Xa pipes have, due to a unique process an even lower density thanconventional PE-Xa pipes.Molecular orientation around the pipeDensity of various PEX materialsPE-Xa is the only one step process, and also the only process where cross linkingoccurs at a temperature above melting point. The benefit of this is that thecross linking is evenly distributed in the pipe, as crystallites are melted when thecross linking takes place. This also lowers the density of the material, giving amore flexible pipe. LK PE-Xa pipes are among the most flexible PEX pipes on themarket.The Slinky toy and LK PE-Xa pipes have a lot in common. Formed like a tubethe Slinky bends around itself amazingly narrow as it walks down the steps. Theshape is round (not oval), meaning it never kinks although the bending radiusis minimal. Still, as a tube it is very strong. In the LK PE-Xa pipes, the molecularchains are stretched out like fibers and oriented around the tubing just like theflat wire circles around the Slinky spring. This makes the tubing very flexible andkink-resistant and gives the pipe excellent strength.No ovalization or kinking of pipe. Bending radiusless than four times outer diameter

When the pipe was tested according to ISO 9080; Bodycote Polymer, an independent test institute, classified the pipe as a PE-X 100 Material (MRS 10 MPa)International Approvals/CertificationsLK PE-Xa pipes have certifications from the most renowned institutes in Europe and USA.The official test results on the LK PE-Xa pipes (above) were so good that the pipe was qualified as a ”PE-X 100 Material” (MRS 10 MPa), which is extremely unusual and clearly positive. A ”PE-X 100 Material” has higher pressure withstanding properties than that required for high density PE-X. For this reason, Bodycote Polymer Test Institute asked ifthey could publish the results on their website.

Benefits with LK PE-Xa pipes Strength:Molecular orientation gives the LK PE-Xa pipe strength Excellent homogeneity:The material is thoroughly blended when extruded for a perfect homogeneity andantioxidant dispersion Good temperature behavior:The pipe can withstand temperatures down to – 100 C and short term up to110 C High flexibility:Easy and ergonomic to install Kinking resistance:Because of the high flexibility of the LK PE-Xa pipe kinking resistance is excellent Thermal memory:If the pipe is “kinked” it can restore its form when being heated ( 133 C) Chemical resistant:Improved ESCR (environmental stress cracking resistance) and resistant to severalchemicals Crack propagation resistant:Stands scratches as the material is resistant to crack propagation Wear resistant:Excellent abrasion resistance Low friction:Low pressure drop and no risk of deposit sediments Electric isolated:Being a non-polar material, the PE-Xa pipes have excellent electric isolationproperties UV stabilized:Apart from antioxidants to give the pipe long term stability, LK Pex also mix UVstabilizer into the raw material giving the LK PE-Xa pipes short term resistance toUV radiation

Material propertiesTypical values for material in LK PE-Xa pipes.PropertyValueTest methodDegree of cross linking 70 %EN 579Density0.935 g/cm3ISO 1183, method DThermal expansion coefficient1,8 10 KDIN 52328Thermal conductivity 0.4 W/m KDIN 52612Softening temperature 130 CDIN 53460Elongation at break 400 %ISO 6259Tensile strength25 MPaISO 6259Roughness factor0.0005-4-1Cross linking testService conditionsLK PE-Xa pipes for potable water are tested and approved to withstand a pressure of 10 bars at continuously 70 Cand peak temperatures at 95 C for more than 50 years. Under floor heating pipes can withstand a pressure of 6 barsat continuously 70 C for more than 50 years with peak temperatures of 95 C. Furthermore, all pipes are inaccordance with the EN ISO 15875 standard.ApplicationclassDesigntemperature,TD( C)Time at TDTmaxTime at TmaxTmalTime at Tmal(years)( C)(years)( C)(h)1a604980195100Hot watersupply (60 C)2a704980195100Hot watersupply (70 C)202.5702.5100100Under floorheating and orsfollowed by4b4020followed by6025followed by (see next column)20Typical fieldofapplicationfollowed by (see next column)14followed by5b60251followed by8010followed by (see next column)a:b:90followed by (see next column)A country may select either class 1 or class 2, to conform to its national regulations.Where more than one design temperature appears for any class, the times should be aggregated (e.g. the design temperature profile for 50years in class 5 is 20 C for 14 years followed by 60 C for 25 years, 80 C for 10 years, 90 C for 1 year and 100 C for 100 h).Note: For values of TD, Tmax and Tmal in excess of those in this table, this standard does not apply.Classification of service conditions (EN ISO 15875-1)

DimensionsLK PE-Xa pipes are primarily intended to be used in heating systems, for potablewater and for secondary district heating installations and are also used forcooling and material transportation. The pipes are produced in more than 35different dimensions, from 8 mm to 110 mm in outer diameter. The pipes areavailable in a various number of lengths, from 6 meters straight lengths to 1 000meter coils – depending on dimension.PN6PN10Inch-sizes SDR 93/8”8 x 1.010 x 1.810 x 1.512 x 2.012 x 1.115 x 2.51/2”14 x 2.016 x 2.25/8”15 x 1.518 x 2.53/4”16 x 1.520 x 2.81”16 x 1.822 x 3.01 1/4”16 x 2.025 x 3.51 1/2”17 x 2.028 x 4.018 x 2.032 x 4.420 x 1.940 x 5.520 x 2.050 x 6.925 x 2.363 x 8.632 x 2.940 x 3.750 x 4.663 x 5.875 x 6.890 x 8.2110 x 10.0Dimensions produced by LK PexWe supply our OEM customers with dimensions above. Other dimensions can beproduced upon request.Pipes are available as 1-layer (without oxygen barrier) or 3-, 4- and 5-layers.LayerDescription1Base pipe, PE-Xa2Adhesive3EVOH (oxygen barrier)4Adhesive5PE

Pipe propertiesPipes should be stored and installed protected from UV-light, as UV radiation has negative effect on long termproperties of the LK PE-Xa pipes. The pipes are stabilized to resist UV radiation only for a short period of timeHeat emission from the pipes is dependent on both dimension of the pipe as well as difference in temperature(water – ambient air, T), see figure. Heat loss of pipes with increased wall thickness is approximately 95 % of the onepresented in the diagramPipes used for heating have a layer of EVOH to protect the water and heating system from oxygen. The oxygendiffusion through the pipe is significantly lower than the requirements in DIN 4726. The oxygen permeation throughthe pipe is regularly tested at MPA NRW, Materialprüfungsamt Nordrhein-WestfalenPipes used for potable water do not require an oxygen barrierThe hygienic properties of the LK PE-Xa pipe have been tested and approved with respect to TOC, taste and smell,turbidity, phenol and nitrogen migration plus a theoretical evaluation in accordance with EN 852-1, ISO 4120-1983,ISO 4594-1983, Danish Approval Rules (strictest in the world). The tests were performed at DTC and DTIThe flexibility of the LK PE-Xa pipes allows a minimum bending radius of 5 times of the outer diameter of the pipe forfree pipes. If the pipe is hot bended and an inner support is used, a minimum bending radius of 3.5 times the outerdiameter is 18x2,517x2,016x2,015x2,575502512x2,010x1,80010Heat emission loss of LK PE-Xa pipes20304050607080 ΔΤ(K)

The figure below explains the relation between long term strength of a polymer pipe and density, temperature, crosslinking and antioxidant system.STRESSIncreased DensityIncreasedCross rovedAntioxidantsystemLOGARITMIC TIME

LK Pex PE-Xa pipes are tested and approved by well-reputed certificationorgans all over the worldLK Pex is certified with respect to Quality Management, Environmental Management and Occupational Health andSafety in accordance with ISO 9001:2008, ISO 14001:2004 and OHSAS 18001:2007 respectively

LK Pex is certified with respect to Quality Management, Environmental Management and Occupational Health andSafety in accordance with ISO 9001:2008, ISO 14001:2004 and OHSAS 18001:2007 respectively.Factory SiteCustomer ServiceExport SalesLK Pex ABRönnåsgatan 4ABox 21SE-523 38 UlricehamnSwedenPhone: 46 321 278 50 46 321 278 64Phone: 46 321 278 21Phone:Fax:E-mail:Web: 46 321 278 30 46 321 278 39info@lkpex.sewww.lkpex.se

The method used to cross link Polyethylene into PEX pipes determines the type; PE-Xa is cross linked with peroxide, PE-Xb by using silane and PE-Xc by electron beams. PE-Xa is the fastest growing production method in the world of the three. Cross linking of LK Pex pipes is initiated by peroxide radicals, meaning they are PE-Xa pipes.