Rigid Chimney Liners

By Author: Glen Kellogg
Total Articles: 20
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What is a Rigid Chimney Liner?
Most rigid chimney liner sections are made of nonmagnetic, series 304 or series 316 stainless steel. Unlike the flexible stainless steel liner, rigid pipe comes in sections and is usually round in shape and one to four feet long and five to ten inches or more in diameter. The most common wall thickness is 24-guage (0.024 in.) or 22-guage (0.029 in.) stainless steel.

The seam running down the length of each liner sections is factory sealed. Individual liner sections are joined together with the crimped, male end facing down. Stainless steel pop rivets and stainless steel screws secure the joints.

Pop rivets are recommended by most manufacturers since screws may work themselves loose from the expansion and contraction of the liner. Usually rigid relining jobs are supported at the bottom of the chimney or at the thimble area.

Stainless steel tee sections are used at the thimble and clean out areas. Rigid stainless steel liners can expand several inches during heating. To accommodate for this expansion the liner moves up and down in a sleeve at the top of the chimney.

A ...
... storm collar over the sleeve prevents moisture from entering the chimney along the outside of the liner. The area around the sleeve at the top of the chimney is sealed with either a stainless steel plate or a concrete pad.

The opposite of rigid chimney liner, flexible chimney liner

The use of rain caps are recommended for use on chimneys with stainless steel liners. It can be very important to have the most efficient venting possible.

A smooth walled rigid liner offers the most efficient venting due to the decreased turbulence. You can shape it to take full advantage of every cubic inch and offer maximum draft. It can be shaped into rectangular, square or oval.

This rigid lining kit includes 304L S/S rigid liner, Top Plate, Cap, Collar, Tee, Tee Cap, Top Plate Clamp, and Stainless Steel Screws. This kit is perfect for when your chimney is a nice straight shot from top to bottom. Take advantage of the extra high quality smooth wall interiors. This liner is easier to clean and will last forever.

Chimney Liner Metal Alloys
Chimney liner metal alloys range from 316TI to AL-29-4C. What is all this about? Keep in mind these different types of stainless steels are alloy differences. It has nothing to do with the actual thickness of the metal. In this article we will explain the multiple options you have in choosing liner metal and which one to use in different circumstances. You have to be very careful when choosing a chimney liner. Different metals are made for different appliances and fuel combinations.

The name stainless steel originates from the fact that stainless steel does not stain, corrode or rust as easily as ordinary steel. It is also the term for grades of steel that contain more than 10% chromium with or without other alloying elements.

Stainless steel resists corrosion, maintains it's strength at high temperatures and is easily maintained. For these reasons, it is used widely in items such as automotives, home and food processing products, as well as medical and health equipment. The most common types are: 304; 316; 316Ti; 316L; 29-4C.

316TI Stainless Steel
316TI is a stainless steel alloy with a small amount of titanium added. It's make-up allows it to resist acids and the stresses of hot and cold cycles. It can be used with solid fuels (wood, coal and pellet), gas and oil. It can withstand temperatures up to 2100 degrees.

316L Stainless Steel
316L chimney liner metal is commonly found in some thicker flexible chimney liners as well as in rigid chimney liners. The titanium is left out because of the added thickness of liners made from 316L stainless steel. 316L stainless steel is acceptable for use with coal, wood, gas or oil systems.

304L Stainless Steel
304L is best for chimneys venting a wood burning appliance. This alloy is commonly found in rigid chimney liner.

The most commonly specified austenitic (chromium-nickel-stainless class), it accounts for more than half of the stainless steel produced in the world. This grade withstands ordinary corrosion in architecture, is durable in typical food processing environments and resists most chemicals.

Al 29-4C Stainless Steel
This chimney liner metal alloy is used most often when relining a masonry chimney or clay lined chimney that will vent a modern high efficiency gas or oil furnace.

It is an alloy of stainless steel that is highly resistant to corrosion. It is used for relining flues where flue gases may contain highly corrosive elements. Being that most of the heat generated by such a high efficiency appliance goes into the home, the flue gas temperatures tend to be relatively low.

Low flue gas temperature keeps moisture in the flue gases from evaporating and being eliminated up the flue. The combination of moisture in the flue gas along with other chemicals that may be inducted into the flue from the surrounding environment, such as those from chemical cleaners and laundry supplies, can contribute to a very corrosive flue gas composition.

AL29-4C is made to resist such corrosive environments over a long period of time.

For more information call :Chimney Liner Depot (8700) 943-1515
or go to http://www.chimneylinerdepot.com/
Glen Kellogg is a certified chimney professional that has single hanidly revolutionize the do it yourself chimney repair industry.