Old Compressed Air Piping Methods

Black Steel Pipe

  • - requires special threading equipment/skill in fabrication for joining
  • - prone to rust and loose scale deposits over time
  • - rough inner surface restricts air flow
  • - modifying the system is more difficult
  • - inexpensive material costs
  • - longer time needed for installation

Copper Pipe

  • - skill in soldering needed to assemble joints
  • - smooth inner surface has good air flow
  • - not all types are suitable for pressure
  • - expensive material costs due to the high price of copper raw material

PVC Pipe

Today's Improved Compressed Air Piping Methods

AirNet Pipe

  • - lightweight aluminum can be installed by one person
      without extensive training
  • - smooth inner surface produces good air flow and
      energy savings
  • - corrosion free pipe and fittings
  • - easy to modify and make system changes
  • - short installation time compared to other methods
  • - ¾", 1", 1½", 2", 2½", 3", 4" sizes, 9' or 20' length
  • - 188 psi working pressure
  • RECOMMENDED FOR:
  • - rectangular or straight pipe runs with minimal
      obstruction
  • - areas without lots of bends requiring elbow fittings
  • - multiple air users
  • - areas where pipe needs to look “perfectly” straight
  • - industrial plants, auto body and repair shops, farm,
      woodworking
  • - any size building

RapidAir Tubing

  • - nylon tubing is designed for compressed air
  • - no special tools/skills needed for installation
  • - can be run thru the wall for clean look
  • - short installation time & inexpensive materials
  • - corrosion free tubing and fittings
  • - aluminum outlet blocks give a clean professional look
  • - great for garage sizes under 1200 sq. ft
  • - tubing size 3/8" ID x ½" OD
  • - 150 psi working pressure
  • RECOMMENDED FOR:
  • - home garage workshops less than 1200 sq ft (30 ft x
      40 ft)
  • - single tubing lengths under 50 ft from compressor
  • - one air user
  • - workbenches, trailers, small woodworking shops

MaxLine Tubing

  • - Maxline has all the great benefits of the Duratec
      product, but with reduced cost
  • - Maxline does not hold expensive agency ratings for
      food, beverage and welding gases and is
      manufactured only for compressed air, saving you
      money
  • - a blend of HDPE and aluminum multilayer tubing
  • - direct burial, on wall and in wall tubing applications
  • - maintains shape after bending by hand
  • - meets OSHA requirements
  • - tubing size ½", ¾" ID
  • - 175 psi working pressure
  • RECOMMENDED FOR:
  • - building layouts with many obstructions, corners etc
  • - multiple air users
  • - industrial plants, auto body and repair shops, farm,
      woodworking
  • - underground burial
  • - ½" size for tubing lengths under 75 ft from compressor
  • - ½" size for buildings less than 2000 sq ft (40 ft x 50 ft)
  • - ½" size for in wall applications
  • - ¾" size used for tubing lengths under 150 ft from
      compressor
  • - ¾" size used for building less than 3600 sq ft (60 ft x
      60 ft)

Duratec Tubing

  • - a blend of HDPE and aluminum multilayer tubing
  • - corrosion free
  • - direct bury underground or in concrete
  • - maintains shape after bending by hand
  • - eliminates sagging tubing lines
  • - other uses include welding gas and beverage piping
  • - meets NSF, FDA, and OSHA requirements
  • - tubing sizes ½", ¾", and 1" ID
  • - 200 psi working pressure
  • RECOMMENDED FOR:
  • - building layouts with many obstructions, corners etc
  • - multiple air users
  • - industrial plants, auto body and repair shops, farm,
      woodworking
  • - underground burial
  • - ½" size for tubing lengths under 75 ft from compressor
  • - ½" size for buildings less than 2000 sq ft (40 ft x 50 ft)
  • - ½ size for in wall applications
  • - ¾" size used for tubing lengths under 150 ft from
      compressor
  • - ¾" size used for building less than 3600 sq ft (60 ft x
      60 ft)
  • - 1" size for large air volume needs