How do Rhinox MLC Pipes compare to stainless steel pipes?

Rhinox MLC pipes offer greater flexibility and ease of bending — ideal for concealed or complex routing — while Rhinox stainless steel pipes in EN 1.4404 (316L) grade (https://rhinoxindia.com/ss-pipes) deliver higher mechanical strength and superior corrosion resistance for demanding industrial and high-pressure applications. Many projects use both in a hybrid layout.

MLC Pipes in India | Multilayer Composite Pipes by Rhinox

Multilayered Pert-Al-Pert Composite Pipe – Offering Flexibility and Strength

Rhinox Multilayer Composite (MLC) Pipes — marketed as the Rhinox-Wepit system — are five-layer PERT-Al-PERT pipes engineered for superior flexibility, strength, and longevity in residential and commercial plumbing. Available in diameters from 16mm to 75mm, each pipe is built with PE-RT II generation polyethylene inner and outer layers bonded to a laser-welded aluminium core — delivering a working pressure of 10 bar, temperature resistance up to 95°C, and a guaranteed minimum service life of 50 years. The aluminium layer provides an oxygen and UV barrier while keeping linear expansion eight times lower than standard plastic pipes, at just 0.025 mm/mK. Certified for tap water distribution and resistant to Legionella treatments, fire, abrasion, and chemicals, these MLC pipes pair seamlessly with Rhinox Double (V) Press Fittings , Triple (VV) Press Fittings , and stainless steel pipes for a complete plumbing solution.

Ensures Longevity

When used as per the specified working pressure and temperature, the pipe ensures a minimum longevity of half a century, i.e., 50 years. So, it offers a reliable and long-standing solution based on your piping requirements.

Pressure and Temperature Resistance

The multilayered pipes can withstand 95°C of temperature and 10 bar of working pressure. This ensures excellent performance during demanding scenarios.

Abrasion Resistance

Rhinox Wepit pipes have a high resistance to abrasion when exposed to water-containing impurities or high-speed flow.

Lowest Linear Expansion

Rhinox pipes have an aluminium layer that contributes to a coefficient of expansion comparable to copper. Moreover, it is eight times lower than the regular plastic pipes. The coefficient of expansion of these pipes is 0.025 mm/mK, which reduces the risks of leaks and other damage.

Light and Oxygen Barrier

What the aluminium layer does is block the passage of oxygen, gas, and water vapour. So, it restricts the formation of corrosion in circuits. Additionally, it protects the pipes against UV radiation, which enhances their durability.

Resistant to Corrosion

The polyethylene external and internal layers, alongside the dielectric barrier fittings, protect the aluminium layer against electromagnetic, natural, and chemical corrosion.

A Hygienic Choice

The multilayered pipes are tested in the laboratories and certified for tap water distribution. That means the pipes do not release unhealthy substances. The water quality is pure.

Chemical Resistance

These pipes exhibit high resistance to chemicals. So, they are suitable for applications in building materials like mortar, concrete, and plaster. However, paints, tapes, and sealing compounds containing softening agents shouldn’t be used on the pipes directly.

Low Load Losses

The internal polyethylene surface comprises a surface finish that ensures significant reductions in load losses compared to conventional metal pipes. In addition, they do not contain lime deposits or other scaling, which ensures a seamless flow rate.

Rhinox-Wepit System – Outlining the Top Technical Features

Installation that Saves Time and Money

The superior mechanical characteristics make the Wepit multilayer pipes incredible. They are easily bent and help obtain significant advantages over time.

Resistant to Fire

A system should be installed based on national and local standards. With these pipes, the installer can seamlessly proceed with each step as they are resistant to fire.

Resistant to Legionella and Treatments

The Wepit multilayer, compared to the conventional metal pipes, has a higher resistance to chemical compounds. They might undergo treatments like superchlorination shock for different years without any significant damage.

Range of Accessories

An array of accessories and special components complete the system and ensure it meets the system requirements. A few of them include modular manifolds with and without interception valves, manifolds with shut-off valves, coplanar manifolds, fixing plates for sanitary appliances, and in-wall ball valves, to mention a few.

Technologies Used in Forming the Aluminium Pipe

A special method is used to produce the aluminium layer in multilayer pipes. Wepit chooses the method to ensure a uniform thickness across the whole circumference. Besides, it ensures greater resistance to bending and pressure, uniform mechanical properties, greater adhesion values with bonding layers, and a complete barrier to oxygen.

Laser Welding Aluminium

This involves overlapping and laser welding. The laser-welded multilayer pipe ensures the ultimate strength and precision for optimal quality.

FAQs

Q1. What are Rhinox MLC Pipes?

Rhinox MLC Pipes — sold as the Rhinox-Wepit system — are five-layer PERT-Al-PERT multilayer composite pipes. Each pipe combines PE-RT II generation polyethylene inner and outer layers with a laser-welded aluminium middle layer and two adhesive bonding layers, all produced simultaneously during manufacturing to eliminate risks from temperature changes and chemical reactions.

Q2. What sizes are Rhinox MLC Pipes available in?

Rhinox-Wepit multilayer composite pipes are available in diameters ranging from 16mm to 75mm, covering the full range of residential and commercial plumbing requirements.

Rhinox MLC pipes can withstand a working pressure of 10 bar and temperatures up to 95°C — making them suitable for both hot and cold water systems and heating applications under demanding conditions.

When installed and operated within the specified working pressure and temperature parameters, Rhinox-Wepit MLC pipes guarantee a minimum service life of 50 years — offering a reliable, long-term plumbing solution.

The coefficient of linear expansion of Rhinox MLC pipes is 0.025 mm/mK — eight times lower than standard plastic pipes and comparable to copper. This minimal expansion significantly reduces the risk of leaks, pipe movement, and structural stress across the installation.

The aluminium layer serves three critical functions: it blocks the passage of oxygen, gas, and water vapour to prevent corrosion in circuits; it provides a UV radiation barrier to enhance outdoor durability; and it contributes to the pipe's exceptionally low linear expansion coefficient — comparable to copper.

Yes. Rhinox-Wepit MLC pipes are laboratory-tested and certified for tap water distribution. The inner PE-RT layer does not release any unhealthy substances, ensuring the water quality delivered through the pipes remains completely pure and safe for consumption.

Yes. Rhinox-Wepit multilayer pipes have higher resistance to chemical compounds compared to conventional metal pipes. They can undergo treatments such as superchlorination shock repeatedly over many years without significant structural damage.

Yes. Rhinox-Wepit MLC pipes are fire-resistant and can be installed in full compliance with national and local fire safety standards, allowing installers to proceed with each installation step without additional fire precautions.

The aluminium layer is produced using a laser-welded overlapping method — chosen specifically to ensure uniform thickness across the entire pipe circumference. This guarantees greater resistance to bending and pressure, uniform mechanical properties, superior adhesion with bonding layers, and a complete oxygen barrier.

The smooth internal polyethylene surface significantly reduces load losses compared to conventional metal pipes. The surface does not accumulate lime deposits or scaling, ensuring a consistently high and unrestricted flow rate throughout the pipe's service life.

The Rhinox-Wepit system is supported by a complete range of accessories including modular manifolds with and without interception valves, manifolds with shut-off valves, coplanar manifolds, fixing plates for sanitary appliances, and in-wall ball valves — ensuring the system can meet any installation requirement.

Rhinox MLC pipes offer greater flexibility and ease of bending — ideal for concealed or complex routing — while Rhinox stainless steel pipes in EN 1.4404 (316L) grade deliver higher mechanical strength and superior corrosion resistance for demanding industrial and high-pressure applications. Many projects use both in a hybrid layout.

Contact Rhinox through its official India channel partner Purever at 524, Phase-5, Udyog Vihar, Sector-19, Gurugram – 122008, Haryana. Call toll-free at 1800-120-6232 or email contact@rhinoxindia.com .

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