1. What different methods are there for producing PEX?




1. What different methods are there for producing PEX?

PE-Xa (peroxide method PEX)
Peroxide PEX (also known as PE-Xa). The polyethylene is crosslinked by adding peroxide and then applying a pressure and temperature to the liquid. This method is also called the Engel-method.

PE-Xb (silane method PEX)
The big difference between this method and the other two methods is that with the Engel and Irradiation methods, the crosslinking consists of a bond between carbon molecules. With the Silane method the crosslinking takes place across silicon and oxygen molecules.

PE-Xc (irradiation method PEX)
Irradiated PEX starts out as straight polyethylene tubing. As with other methods of making straight polyethylene, the tubing takes on a definite form during the extrusion process. With the irradiation method, the crosslinking takes place in a second process when the manufacturer runs the tubing through an electron beam cannon. The beam gets the polyethylene molecules so excited that they crosslink.