Pex vs Pb Piping: Difference and Comparison

We all want our houses to look perfect and clean. When it comes to the draining system of the house, we need to be very careful while choosing the pipes to be installed in the houses.

A bad piping system in the house may lead to future problems with drainage.  

Key Takeaways

  1. PEX piping is more flexible, making it easier to install in tight spaces.
  2. PB piping is less resistant to freezing temperatures, which can lead to leaks.
  3. PEX is the newer and more widely used material in plumbing systems due to its durability and versatility.

Pex vs Pb Piping  

The difference between Pex and Pb piping is that the formation of both pipes differs. The polymer chains are bonded to form Pex piping, whereas this cross-bonding of polymer chains is not a part of the formation of Pb piping. They both differ in terms of physical characteristics.  

Pex vs Pb Piping

‘Pex piping is also known as’‘Cross Liked Polyethylene’ because the cross bonding of the polymer chains does its formation. It is a plastic pipe installed in homes or industries for a sound drainage system.’Pex piping is also known as ‘Cross Liked Polyethylene’ because the cross bonding of the polymer chains does its formation. It is a plastic pipe installed in homes or industries for a sound drainage system.

It can control a greater pressure level than other pipes existing in the market.  

‘Pb piping is also known as ‘Polybutylene’. The formation of Pb piping is not done by cross-bonding of polymers. ‘Pb piping is also known as ‘Polybutylene’. The construction of Pb piping is not done by cross-bonding of polymers.

The process of polymerization of the element 1-Butane forms it. These pipes have a higher molecular weight.

It is considered a flexible piping system and is regarded by consumers for its flexibility.  

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison Pex Piping Pb Piping 
Full Name Cross Linked Polyethylene Polybutylene 
Formation By cross-linking process By polymerization of Butane 
Tolerance to Pressure Higher tolerance to pressure Lower tolerance to pressure 
Chlorine Resistance More resistant Less resistant 
Temperature Tolerance Higher tolerance to temperature Lower tolerance to Temperature 
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What is Pex Piping?  

Pex piping can be defined as the pipes formed by the polymer’s cross-bonding. They are installed at many places to provide the best piping system.

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They are installed in giant buildings, domestic places, and heating and cooling systems.  

Pex piping holds various features which are beneficial in today’s era. It fits in according to today’s needs in the piping systems.

They can be bent easily without the application of any tools, due to which they are considered flexible and are used at a maximum of places.  

Pex piping systems have a high tolerance to the high temperature level and are used in places where a significant amount of heat is exposed.

It is also installed in heating systems. It is also considered the best option to install in water heaters.  

Pex Piping is also very tolerant to high pressure. They can bear a high level of stress without being damaged or broken.

Pex piping is considered over the other piping system in the places with a high level of water pumping out.  

The corrosion of chlorine, used to purify water, leads to the breaking of bonds of a piping system. Pex has a more excellent resistance to chlorine and is used to be installed for chlorine resistance in houses and industries.  

Pex pipes are also considered for newly built houses because of their durability, and they do not require short-term services. It is regarded as a better choice than other pipes because they are also cost-effective.  

pex piping

What is Pb Piping?  

‘PB Piping can be defined as the pipes formed by the process of polymerization of the element Butane. It is also known as ‘Polybutylene’. ‘PB Piping can be defined as the pipes formed by the process of polymerization of the element Butane. It is also known as ‘Polybutylene’.

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They have a high molecular weight and are flexible.  

They have been used for a long time for the proper water supply in the homes and industries too. It is very economical and is considered by people to be used in their homes.

It is a good quality pipe at a nominal price.  

It is resistant to chemicals like alcohol, oils, fats, etc. It does not get damaged by chemical reactions.

It is considered an excellent alternative to the traditional piping system used in the houses. It was considered the best choice for low-budgeted homes.  

PB pipes can be easily moulded. They do not break or crack due to the minimum stress level.

Due to the high molecular weight level, they have been considered suitable resistors to hydrostatic pressure.  

PB pipes are not considered for usage in US and Canada. It is believed that Pb pipes take a longer time to deteriorate.

It gets deteriorated from the inside out, it becomes difficult to assess the damage. They tend to leak after a while and are considered to be replaced after a while.  

Main Differences Between Pex and Pb Piping 

  1. ‘The cross-linking of the polymers does the formation of Pex piping, and the procedure is called’‘Cross Bonding’, whereas Pb piping is formed by polymerization of Butane.  ‘The cross-linking of the polymers does the formation of Pex piping, and the procedure is called ‘Cross Bonding’, whereas Pb piping is formed by polymerization of Butane.  
  2. ‘The full name of PEX piping stands as’‘Cross-linked Polyethylen’’, whereas the Pb piping stands for’‘Polybutylene’.  ‘The full name of PEX piping is ‘Cross-linked Polyethylene’, whereas the Pb piping stands for ‘Polybutylene’.  
  3. Pex pipes are more tolerant to a higher pressure level, whereas Pb piping is less tolerant to pressure.  
  4. Pex pipes are more resistant to chlorine and do not react with it, whereas Pb piping is less resistant to chlorine.  
  5. Pex pipes have higher resistance towards temperature and are considered to be used in extreme cold and hot places, whereas Pb piping has a lower resistance towards temperature.  
Difference Between Pex and Pb Piping

References 

  1. https://awwa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.5942/jawwa.2017.109.0117
  2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045653519315401

 

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Piyush Yadav
Piyush Yadav

Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.

8 Comments

  1. The durability of Pex piping seems impressive. I’ll definitely consider it for my home improvement project.

  2. The comparison table provided is quite helpful. I didn’t know Pex piping is more resistant to chlorine. Good information!

  3. Pex piping is undoubtedly the superior choice for drainage systems. The technology behind its formation is impressive.

  4. It’s fascinating how Pex piping can withstand high pressure levels. I appreciate the detailed comparison between Pex and Pb piping.

  5. The corrosion resistance of Pex piping due to chlorine is a significant advantage. No one wants leaks in their drainage system.

  6. The information provided about PB pipes is quite insightful. It’s essential to be aware of the pros and cons before making any decision.

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