How to choose an iron for welding polypropylene pipes and how to use it correctly

Polypropylene pipes are in high demand among summer residents and owners of private permanent residences.And it’s not surprising - such a pipeline is able to withstand various operating conditions, including temperature changes.

In addition, the cost of pipes, light weight and ease of assembly of the structure justifiably make them a popular material. Moreover, you can assemble the pipeline yourself - you will need an iron for welding polypropylene pipes and skills in working with such equipment.

It is quite simple to master the welding machine; the main thing is to adhere to safety measures and rules for using the iron. Do you doubt your own abilities? We will help you select a reliable device, prepare for work and carry out soldering of the pipeline.

The article outlines the main criteria for choosing an iron, identifies popular manufacturers, and also describes step-by-step instructions for using a welding machine.

How the equipment works

At home, polypropylene pipes are welded using a welding machine called an iron. They all differ in technical characteristics, color, size and cost. But their appearance and operating principle are similar for all manufacturers of such equipment.

Typical structure of a welding iron:

• pen;
• wire for connection to the electrical network;
• iron operation indicator;
• indicator that the device has reached the set temperature;
• thermostat;
• heating plate with holes for installing nozzles;
• nozzles for heating pipes - a sleeve for putting on a pipe and a mandrel for a fitting;
• stand for installing the device.

Depending on the equipment model, there may be mechanical or automatic temperature control. Cheaper models have a mechanical thermostat that allows you to set the desired heating temperature.

The appearance of the device resembles a household iron for ironing clothes, which contributed to the welding device receiving the same name among ordinary people (+)

A professional device can be equipped with a display that shows temperature changes in real time. When the required heating level is reached, the device automatically turns off. This display allows you to monitor the slightest fluctuations.

More expensive welding irons are capable of maintaining the desired temperature for a long time, and when it cools by 2-5 degrees, the heating of the equipment is automatically turned on

How to choose the right device

The abundance of offers makes it difficult for an inexperienced user to choose - it is difficult to immediately buy the ideal iron for welding, which will be convenient and last a long time. The choice of a suitable device should be approached carefully, comparing the necessary parameters of the model you like.

Required iron power

First you need to decide on the required power of the equipment. To do this, it is necessary to clearly identify the front of the upcoming work on welding polypropylene pipes. You can, of course, aim for the 1.5-2 kW range, as some experts advise. But this will be a more expensive device, which most likely will not be used 100%.

When we are talking about a modest pipeline with a pipe diameter of 16-25 mm, a serious unit will be a waste of money - it is quite possible to get by with a Chinese iron for 1000 rubles, the power of which is from 350 W.

Manufacturers often mark the power of the device and other technical characteristics on one side of the device.

To calculate the required power of the welding unit, you should proceed from the maximum diameter polypropylene pipesto be cooked. This diameter must be multiplied by 10 and added 30%. This is a safety margin so that the iron does not work to the limit of its capabilities.

So, for a 25 mm pipe, the power of the device will be: 25*10+30% = 325 W. It turns out that the future iron should have a power of 350 W - this is quite enough for welding polypropylene pipes 16, 20 and even 25 mm in diameter.

For large-scale work, it is better not to save money and purchase a more powerful iron - 1.2-1.5 kW. This power will allow you to reliably connect plastic pipes with a diameter of 40, 60 or more mm. Up to 10 cm.

The manufacturer indicates the capabilities of a particular device and the features of its use in the instructions or passport. If there is no such document, it is better to refuse to purchase an iron and choose another device that has the necessary documents

Welding unit equipment

In addition to power, you should pay attention to the device itself and its equipment. The quality of the material from which the iron is made also matters. And without gloves, tape measure and pipe cutter for PP pipes It will be difficult for a home craftsman who does not have experience in carrying out such work to cope with the task.

The Teflon coating of the sleeve and mandrel must be of high quality.Sometimes for a cheap device it is better to buy expensive attachments, for example, blue ones from Dytron

Therefore, before purchasing an iron, you should pay special attention to the following points:

1. Number of nozzlesincluded in the kit. If there are few of them, then it is better to purchase the required diameter, choosing the appropriate ones.
2. Teflon coating quality – more expensive irons come with good-coated attachments. Also, for the cheapest units, you can buy expensive nozzles with high-quality Teflon applied.
3. No plastic elements — the body of the iron should not contain polymer parts. The handle and other elements of the body of a good device are made of heat-resistant material.
4. Availability of necessary equipment – gloves, scissors for cutting polypropylene pipes, necessary attachments, tape measure, instructions and other components. If you buy all this in addition, it will be much more expensive.
5. Quality of product packaging – the manufacturer delivers a good iron in a metal suitcase, where all the components take their place.

As for the configuration, it directly affects the cost of the device. Here you should find the most acceptable option for your wallet - how much you plan to spend on this equipment.

You should not buy an iron in a paper box - it will not be convenient to store and transport it from the installation site to the garage. Moreover, no one puts a hot device in a paper box

When you have to assemble a plastic pipeline at home, in the country, or at your mother-in-law’s, it’s better not to skimp on tools - hiring a specialist will cost 5-10 times more. If you need to replace a section of the pipeline, then you don’t have to buy an iron at all - you can rent the necessary equipment.

The cost of the service depends on the region of residence and the model of the device. On average, an iron for welding can cost 150 rubles per day.

Value for money

When choosing a suitable iron for welding work, you want to focus on the optimal ratio of quality and price. Thus, the cost of individual models can start from 800 rubles and reach 20,000 rubles. This range will baffle a beginner.

To avoid confusion, it is important to initially determine the task that the device will perform. If the scope of work is very modest, then you should not overpay - a suitable Chinese-made model for 1.2-1.5 thousand is quite suitable.

For example, Foxplastic, made in China and having quite acceptable equipment. Moreover, buying scissors, gloves and attachments separately will cost an order of magnitude more.

All irons for welding polypropylene have their own characteristics depending on the country where they were produced. So, the most desired brand is Rothenberger. The devices of this German company are not cheap - their cost starts from 10,000 rubles.

The second step is occupied by Czech appliances - these are various models of irons from the company Dytron. The cost depends on the technical characteristics. But experts note the high cost of the brand - not every beginner will afford to have such a device.

Although it’s still worth buying attachments separately - the Teflon coating will outlast more than one cheap iron for 850-1000 rubles.

The Turkish iron from the Candan company pleases home craftsmen with excellent models at an affordable price. And the set of irons is good

In third place are Turkish companies: Valtec, Candan, Cobra, Kalde and others. They occupy a wide niche among similar equipment - original irons can last 3 years or more.

When buying Turkish devices, you must definitely look at the manufacturer so as not to get a fake. This situation is not uncommon now, so you should carefully examine the proposed purchase before paying its cost.

Many domestic irons for welding polypropylene are assembled by the Chinese. This is, for example, Sturm Energomash and others

At the last step are the most budget models assembled by Chinese factories. There are many of them, and often domestic brands assemble their devices there – in China.

Chinese irons have a low price, but the warranty on such products is about 1 year. And some manufacturers do not provide any guarantee at all. Therefore, before purchasing, you should carefully study the packaging and check for the presence of a passport or instructions and a warranty card.

For a modest amount of work, an iron for 900-1500 rubles will be just right.If the budget allows, then it is more advisable to pay attention to Turkish devices that will help assemble more than one polypropylene pipeline.

Rules for using a welding iron

In order for the equipment to last a long time and not cause a lot of problems, it is important to operate it correctly. Otherwise, instead of pleasant work, there will be continuous troubles - broken equipment, a non-working pipeline and the burned hands/feet of an inattentive craftsman welding polypropylene pipes.

Safety precautions when working

It is important to adhere to the basic rules for working with an iron prescribed by the equipment manufacturer. Although irons from different companies differ, personal safety measures will be the same in all cases.

Firstly, do not touch the heated device with bare hands or feet - the temperature of the heating plate can reach 260°C and higher.

Heat-resistant gloves will protect the hands of the home craftsman from accidental exposure to hot surfaces during welding work.

For safety, protective gloves should be used. They can be included in the kit and placed in the suitcase in which the manufacturer supplies its device. Otherwise, it is better to purchase a heat-resistant pair of gloves in advance and carry out all work on welding polypropylene pipes in them.

If the manufacturer does not supply special gloves with the device, they should be purchased separately. There is no need to skimp on this personal protective equipment - treating burns will cost much more

Secondly, when welding polypropylene pipes, it is necessary to promptly clean the working surface of the nozzles from adhering plastic.This is correct to do immediately after connecting the next section of the pipeline.

You should not wait until the unit cools down - just take a soft cloth or a special device for cleaning Teflon surfaces and carefully remove the remaining polypropylene from the sleeve and mandrel.

When, after the next heating of the polypropylene pipe and coupling, there is stuck plastic on the nozzle, it should be removed without waiting for the iron to cool completely

You should carefully select a cleaning agent for Teflon nozzles.

The use of the following is strictly prohibited:

• cleaning products containing abrasives;
• metal scrapers and sponges;
• liquids that can damage the Teflon coating.

Third, the iron must not be dropped or filled with water. If dropped, it may become damaged and stop working. And to cool the iron, just unplug it from the outlet and wait a couple of hours - the device will completely cool down on its own.

Fourth, it is necessary to remove animals and children from the room where the pipeline is being installed. Do not forget about the high temperature of the working parts of the welding iron.

Although working in the company of a pet is more fun, it can be quite a dangerous activity for him - the animal can accidentally injure itself by touching a hot nozzle

First equipment launch

It is especially worth noting the first launch of the purchased equipment - this should be done outdoors. The fact is that in the new welding machine, the internal parts are coated with a special lubricant, which will begin to smoke when the iron is first heated.

A rather unpleasant odor and thick smoke will appear - it is better when the device is tested outdoors.

There is no need to be alarmed if there is an unpleasant odor when you first turn on the iron - this is quite acceptable. To put your mind at ease, you should read the instructions for the device provided by the manufacturer in advance. Often the seller does not warn a naive buyer who has no experience in using such equipment about this feature.

If everything is assembled correctly and no foreign objects touch the heating part of the iron, but smoke is coming out, it means that the protective lubricant applied at the factory by the manufacturer is burning out

After the first start-up of the device, it is advisable to practice before starting to weld a real pipeline. Especially if there is no experience in carrying out such work. It is also advisable to get used to the features of the iron when you purchase a very cheap Chinese device.

You can often find reviews from real users who advise setting the temperature in the range of 220-230°C. This is fundamentally contrary to the rules for welding polypropylene pipes, where required temperature equal to 260°C.

Everyone is right here - the problem is that many cheap irons made by the Chinese simply do not know how to maintain a stable temperature within a given range.

With proper heating of the desired section of pipe and connecting fitting, and careful connection, a double, even plastic ring is formed at the junction of the two parts

Therefore, when the user has set 230°C, then after 10 minutes the actual operating temperature may well reach 255-265°C. It is not surprising that at a specified temperature of 260°C, an inexperienced welder ends up with burnt parts or a completely unusable joint.

In such cases, you definitely need to practice making the correct connection and get used to your iron.Moreover, for training you will need a couple of hours of free time, 5-7 pieces of pipe and the same number of fittings. This is an inexpensive pleasure - one fitting costs around 10 rubles.

During training, it is important to check the seam from the inside - to do this, you need to cut the cooled joint and see if the inner diameter of the pipe is narrowed after welding

How to use an iron for polypropylene

To properly use the polypropylene welding machine, you must study the instructions supplied by the manufacturer. Then you have to open the package, preferably it is a suitcase, and assemble the device by installing the sleeve and mandrel of the required diameter.

The soldering iron itself must be securely fixed by placing it on a special stand. For more comfortable work, craftsmen advise screwing the stand to a board or sheet of plywood, and then placing the iron. This ensures greater stability when working with equipment.

You can drill holes in the legs of the stand yourself so that you can later use self-tapping screws to secure the device on a table or board. This will make it comfortable to use the iron when welding.

When the necessary attachments are attached, you need to plug in the device and set the temperature using the thermostat. This could be a wheel that needs to be turned, indicating the desired number, or an electronic display - the subtleties of the settings depend on the model of the device.

The operating temperature for welding polypropylene pipes is 260°C. This is the parameter that should be specified.

The heating time of the device depends on the power and features of the model - it can be 5 minutes, like with irons Wellner, and 20-30 minutes for Chinese devices.

When the indicator signals that the operating temperature has been reached, you can begin the pipe welding process.

During the welding process, it is important to adhere to the time indicated in the special table that comes with the specific device.

There the manufacturer indicates:

• heating time of the pipe and fitting in seconds;
• the time it takes to connect 2 parts is from 3 to 5-6 seconds;
• the time it takes to secure and create a reliable seam is from 10 to 20 seconds.

All these parameters may differ between different iron manufacturers, so you should act according to the information provided in the iron’s data sheet.

After completing the test welding, you should cut the joint and check the quality of the weld - it is important that the internal diameter of the pipe does not become too narrow

If everything is successful, then you can continue working on welding of polypropylene pipes. Upon completion of work, you should unplug the equipment and wait until it cools down. Then remove the attachments and put all the components in a suitcase.

You need to store the iron in a special metal suitcase, which will extend its life and protect it from accidental damage.

In addition to the iron, cylindrical soldering irons and other devices are used for soldering polypropylene pipes. More information about different welding machines is written in this article.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

More expensive models of irons have their advantages, allowing them to simplify the process of soldering polypropylene pipes, especially if home craftsmen lack practical experience. About this in the video clip:

The main mistakes beginners make when soldering pipes with an iron are clearly shown in the video:

The rules for soldering polypropylene pipes are demonstrated in detail in the video clip:

In addition to a good soldering iron, the kit will include all the necessary equipment for welding polypropylene pipes. About the rules for purchasing the optimal set in the video:

The video clip provides an overview of a welding iron from a Turkish manufacturer:

Having studied the basic rules for choosing irons for welding polypropylene, you can choose a device for personal use at an affordable price for your wallet. Using an iron is not difficult - if you wish, you can weld a polypropylene pipeline yourself by purchasing a welding machine.

This will help to significantly save on calling craftsmen who specialize in welding polypropylene pipes.

Are you looking for an iron to assemble a polypropylene pipeline? Or do you have the skills to work with such a device? Please share your experiences with readers, ask questions and participate in discussions. The comment form is located below.