PEX-AL-PEX Chamfering Tool

PEX-AL-PEX tubing contains a layer of aluminum embedded in the PEX. The aluminum serves as an oxygen barrier and allows the PEX to remain straighter. It also makes the tubing slightly thicker, so that standard crimp, clamp, or SharkBite fittings are not compatible. Compression or press fittings must be used with PEX-AL-PEX.

To prepare PEX-AL-PEX tubing for a fitting, a chamfering tool should be used. The tool reams the inside of the tubing, cleaning it and creating a beveled edge so that the fitting’s o-ring can set properly. For more information on PEX-AL-PEX products, visit SupplyHouse.com.

Standard ID & OD for Standard PEX

If you are aware of all the brands and varieties of PEX tubing that are available, you may wonder whether there are any differences in the wall thicknesses, inside diameters, or outside diameters of the PEX. All standard PEX tubing sold at SupplyHouse.com of any particular size will be identical in these specifications (regardless of brand and the presence of an oxygen barrier). 1/2" PEX, for example, has a .475” inside diameter and a .625” outside diameter.

The only exception is PEX-AL-PEX tubing. PEX-AL-PEX contains an embedded layer of aluminum that thickens it slightly. It also has a larger inside diameter and outside diameter, making PEX-AL-PEX incompatible with standard PEX fittings. With PEX-AL-PEX, you must use either compression or Multipress fittings.

Expansion Constraint of Aluminum PEX

Aluminum PEX cannot be expanded because expansion could cause the aluminum layer to tear. Therefore PEX-AL-PEX is always produced as a PEX-b tubing. The main benefits of PEX-AL-PEX are that it holds its shape when bent, and that it has an even lower expansion rate than regular PEX, reducing the amount of noise that is produced as your system heats up.

PEX-AL-PEX is a great option for high-temperature applications such as warmboard, baseboard, fan coils and ice-melt systems. You can find Rifeng PEX-AL-PEX, Uponor MultiCor and Viega FostaPEX at www.supplyhouse.com in the Radiant Heat PEX Tubing category.