My understanding of oxygen-barrier PEX for hydronic heating water is that there are two broad categories. The type with a thin layer of aluminum embedded in the PEX to block the oxygen transfer to the water inside and the other using a layer of some oxygen impermeable polymer. This barrier layer is on the outside of the tubing, I believe. Gives it a shiny look from the examples I've seen.
Lot of folks doing admirable work insulating their buried lines from outside boilers to buildings. I like the look of all that insulation on lines that are so exposed to heat loss. Much better looking to me than tubing wrapped in thin miracle layers inside ADS drain pipe.
A question that pops into my mind once in a while is whether anyone has done research (maybe even checking with PEX tubing manufacturers) on the compatibility of whatever that external O2 barrier is and the chemistry of the various urethanes while they are curing. Urethanes (and other resins for that matter) are pretty inert after they are cured but are their components so innocuous before they are cured?
If anyone has looked into this can you make a short report for us idly curious souls?
Lot of folks doing admirable work insulating their buried lines from outside boilers to buildings. I like the look of all that insulation on lines that are so exposed to heat loss. Much better looking to me than tubing wrapped in thin miracle layers inside ADS drain pipe.
A question that pops into my mind once in a while is whether anyone has done research (maybe even checking with PEX tubing manufacturers) on the compatibility of whatever that external O2 barrier is and the chemistry of the various urethanes while they are curing. Urethanes (and other resins for that matter) are pretty inert after they are cured but are their components so innocuous before they are cured?
If anyone has looked into this can you make a short report for us idly curious souls?