THE RAW MATERIAL
Astral Silencio’s polypropylene mineral-filled compound has been carefully designed to provide excellent acoustic and mechanical properties. This low-noise pipe has a molecular density of 1.9 gm/cm3, which is one of the highest in the industry, and it significantly improves the sound-dampening properties of the wastewater drainage system. Our compound offers superior ring stiffness and impact resistance, essential for a drainage and sewerage piping system.
Apart from these unique properties, these low-noise drainage pipes are durable, corrosion-resistant and able to withstand the chemical aggression of various kinds of wastewater. The smooth inner surface of these silent pipes prevents scaling and incrustation.
Pipe Structure
An outstanding feature of Silencio low-noise drainage pipes is the 3-layer construction and adaptation of each layer to its respective requirements. Technically desirable characteristics are optimised in a targeted way. This is achieved with modern design principles of Sandwich construction.
Three separate layers impart unique characteristics to the pipe. The abrasion-resistant, low-friction inner layer ensures the easy transit of waste. The mineral-filled mid-layer of these silent pipes ensures enhanced sound-dampening properties and also offers increased stiffness. Finally, the robust outer layer is tough enough to withstand impacts and shocks.
These ideal characteristics of Silencio low-noise pipes are achieved through the three-layer structure of the pipe and the specialised adaptation of each layer to its respective requirement:
- High ring stiffness
- Excellent impact strength of the outer layer at low temperature
- Increased UV-resistance
- Abrasion-resistant and smooth inner layer
- A highly rigid and sound-insulating middle layer made of mineral reinforced Polypropylene
External Layer – Polypropylene | Extremely Tough | Sturdy | Impact Resistant
Middle Layer – Mineral Reinforced Polypropylene | Very High Ring Stiffness | Excellent Acoustic Properties
Internal Layer – Polypropylene | Superior Flow Performance | Resistant against high water temperatures and chemicals
Fittings and Features
The pipe system would experience local vibrations at redirections due to critical drainage conditions. This can harm sound-related properties. To minimise this effect and to counter the negative influences, it is very important to have proper design and mass of fittings. Silencio silent pipes and fittings are specifically designed to address this. The fittings also have the same density of 1.9 gm/cm3 as pipes and are made of identical PP mineral-filled compounds. Special fittings are designed like access pipes, Clean Tees and Bends (Door Tee and Door Bend) with a special inner cap that ensures smooth flow as well as minimum sound generation.
Key Properties
- Noise Insulation at its Best
The high molecular formula of the middle layer enables superior acoustic requirement and performance. Excellent soundproofing performance is measured in Fraunhofer laboratory, which complies with EN 14366 (Laboratory measurement of noise from wastewater installations), equal to <10dB with a flow rate of 2 LPS.
Silencio low-noise pipes have a high molecular weight and impart excellent physical and mechanical properties to the pipe. These silent pipes give high ring stiffness to the pipes, and hence, they can be used as an effective alternative to cast iron drainage pipes.
Without any special tools, the push-fit joining installation of these low-noise drainage pipes is simple, quick and efficient. No solvent cement is needed. Also, the joints of these silent pipes are leakproof.
Silencio can handle the waste liquid with a pH value of 2 to 12. This low-noise pipe has a high resistance to the most common chemical substances. The inner layer of these silent pipes is made of PP, which has natural properties that prevent the accumulation of deposits in the pipe.
- High Impact Resistance, Extremely Tough
Both the external and internal layers of PP have excellent impact strength and abrasion resistance with a smooth inner surface. These low-noise pipes show high impact resistance at extremely harsh temperatures as low as -20°C / -4°F).
Silencio is hot water-resistant – short term 95°C / 203°F and long term 90°C / 194°F. Also, it has a low coefficient of linear expansion.
The smooth inner surface of these low-noise drainage pipes does not allow the waste liquid to stick to the surface. It enables superior flow and fewer chances of blockage.
- Eco-friendly Product and Process
Silencio silent pipes are designed with a strong eco-friendly focus aiming to minimise their environmental impact throughout their life cycle. From production to disposal, these low-noise drainage pipes use less energy, water, and resources, while generating less waste.
Installation Procedure
Pipe Cutting
Astral Silencio low-noise pipes can be cut simply with a professional pipe cutter or a saw. Make sure that the cut is at a 90° angle on the pipe axis. Remove any burrs, cutting residues, sharp edges, and clean the pipe end. For making a connection to the compensator or end of the compensator, pipe ends may not be chamfered. For making a connection to other fittings, the pipe requires to be chamfered.
Push-fit Joints Without Compensator Socket
To cope with variations in length due to thermal factors in pipe-fitting connections, when the maximum pipe length is 3 metres / 9.5 feet, a maximum of 10 mm / 0.4 inches slid out of the sleeve has to be considered. For push-fit connections between fittings, no variations in length due to thermal factors have to be considered, and it is therefore possible to slot the fittings completely. The push-fit coupling is done as follows:
- Check the position and the condition of the lip seal in the coupler channel. If necessary, clean the fitting and the gasket. Clean the push-fit end of the low-noise pipes and the fitting.
- Apply a thin uniform layer of Astral lubricant on the end of the coupling. Do not use oil or grease.
- Place the end into the coupler and push in firmly.
- Slide the silent pipe and not the fitting just 10 mm / 0.4 inches out of the coupling. When pipes are positioned vertically, leave space of 10 mm / 0.4 inches to avoid slipping and for the elimination of the dilatation. Then fix the individual pipes with collars immediately after assembly.
Joints With the Compensator Socket
The Astral Silencio compensator socket is used to connect two pipes as well as a pipe and the fitting where compensation for axial movement is required. For conventional plastic soil and waste pipe systems, the expansion margin is created by marking and withdrawing the pipe to the expansion length. This is not required in the case of Silencio low-noise drainage pipes, as the compensator socket adapts to temperature changes in the system. This not only saves working time but also gives additional technical security to the low-noise pipes.
Steps for Joining Compensator Socket
When making the connection with the compensator socket the following instructions should be adhered to:
1.Pull the expansion collar from the compensator socket.
2. Push the expansion collar over the low-noise pipes’ end.
3.Apply lubricant inside the compensator socket of the fitting. Never use oil or grease.
4.Apply and distribute the lubricant evenly on the outside of the elastomeric compensator collar. Push the fitting over the compensator collar to full insertion depth.
5.Check the final position of the compensator collar. Ensure the silent pipes’ end is flushed with a gasket tip.
Outdoor Exposure
Astral Silencio pipes and fittings are designed to withstand outdoor storage: Longer outdoor storage periods and intense exposure to direct sunlight might lead to discolouration of the surface and a slight deterioration of the mechanical material properties.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Cleaning the Waste Pipe System: Installing access pipes enables mechanical cleaning of the waste pipe system. Door fittings give the ability to access the cleaning at any point in the system.
P Trap Siphon: The P trap Siphon of Silencio silent pipes provides a 50 mm / 0.2 inches water seal to prevent foul odour from coming out of the drainage line. The P trap Siphon is to be used together with Size 110 bend 45°. While installing the P trap, it is important to install the pipe support properly to ensure the safe operation of low-noise drainage pipes.
Socket Plug / Safety Clip: The socket plug can be used to plug off the low-noise pipes’ ends if they are not in use. The socket plug is to be used together with the securing clip to ensure safe and tight jointing.
End Plug: These blind plugs are easy to mount to the inlets of the Floor Trap and secure a leakage-free sealing of unused connections to the Floor Trap.
Floor Trap: The highly functional Floor Trap design by Astral complies with a low-noise drainage pipes system.
Seal Construction – The proven seal construction gives not only the top inlet but also inlets and outlets on all branches to perform with reliability and maintain functionality.
Baffle Partition Baffle construction is air-tight at all working conditions of the trap. A specially designed inspection plug enables access to the area under the baffle to inspect and clean this area.
