|
Feature
|
PEX-A |
PEX-B |
PEX-C |
|
Manufacturing method |
Peroxide / Engel method |
Silane / moisture-cure method |
Electron-beam / radiation method |
|
When cross-linking occurs |
During extrusion while material is hot |
After extrusion using heat and moisture |
After extrusion using electron-beam irradiation |
|
Flexibility |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Highest |
⭐⭐⭐ Moderate–High |
⭐⭐ Moderate |
|
Bend radius |
Tightest bends |
Larger bend radius than PEX-A |
Generally less flexible |
|
Shape memory |
Excellent |
Limited |
Limited |
|
Kink recovery |
Can recover from minor kinks using heat |
Generally requires cutting/rejoining |
Generally requires cutting/rejoining |
|
Cold-expansion jointing |
Yes – ideal for Q&E systems |
No |
No |
|
Installation |
Fast, flexible and fewer joints |
Conventional crimp/press-type systems commonly used |
Conventional connection systems |
|
Fittings / bore |
Q&E fittings can provide a large internal flow area |
Depends on fitting system |
Depends on fitting system |
|
Resistance to installation stress |
Excellent flexibility helps reduce stress |
Good |
Good, but generally stiffer
|
|
Ideal applications |
Drinking water, heating/cooling, underfloor heating, large piping, complex layouts |
General plumbing and heating applications |
Applications where product-specific characteristics suit the project |
|
Long coils / fewer joints |
Excellent |
Good |
Good |
|
Installer friendliness |
Excellent |
Good |
Moderate |
|
Typical positioning |
Premium-performance PEX system |
Cost-effective/general-purpose PEX |
Product/application dependent |
|
Afripex offering Core
|
Afripex solution – Uponor Pure PEX-A |
Not the primary Afripex system |
Not the primary Afripex system |
The key difference
PEX-A is not simply a different “grade” of PEX — the A, B and C refer to the manufacturing/cross-linking process. All three can be manufactured to applicable standards; the practical differences are primarily flexibility, shape memory, installation characteristics and compatible jointing systems.
For Afripex, the important distinction is that its Uponor Pure PEX-A system uses the pipe’s elastic properties and shape memory for the Quick & Easy (Q&E) expansion connection. The pipe is expanded over the fitting and then contracts to form the joint. This system requires no crimping, soldering, nuts or O-rings and allows easy visual inspection of the connection.
Why Afripex focuses on PEX-A
Advantage What it means on site
High flexibility Easier routing around corners and obstacles
Shape memory Pipe naturally returns toward its original dimensions
Kink recovery Minor kinks can potentially be repaired rather than cutting out the section
Q&E connection Fast expansion-based jointing without conventional crimping
Fewer joints Long coils can reduce connections and potential leak points
Low pressure loss Low pressure loss in its heating/cooling applications
Wide application range Drinking water, heating, cooling, underfloor heating and other temperature-transfer applications
Long service life A design life of 100+ years for our Pure PEX-A piping system
Our Pure PEX-A system as suitable for hot and cold drinking water as well as water-based heating and cooling, with pipe sizes from 16–75 mm using Q&E connections and larger sizes using other jointing technologies.
Pex-A – More information.