Plastic pipework: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 16:28, 13 November 2023

Revision as of 16:40, 12 February 2024

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==Materials used==

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* ABS ([[acrylonitrile butadiene styrene|Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene]])

* CPVC ([[Chlorinatedchlorinated polyvinyl chloride|Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride]])

* HDPE ([[Highhigh-density polyethylene|High-Density Polyethylene)]])

* PB-1 ([[polybutylene]])

* PE ([[polyethylene]]) of various densities, also abbreviated to [[Low-density polyethylene|LDPE]], [[Medium-density polyethylene|MDPE]] and [[High-density polyethylene|HDPE]] (low, medium and high density polyethylene;<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.whatishdpe.com|title=What is HDPE}}</ref> the medium density version is at times referred to as "black alkathene" in the UK)

* PE-RT (polyethylene of Raisedraised Temperaturetemperature (RT))

* PEX ([[cross-linked polyethylene]])

* PP ([[polypropylene]])

* PVDF ([[polyvinylidene fluoride|Polyvinylidene Difluoridedifluoride]])

* UPVC ([[unplasticized polyvinyl chloride|Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride]])

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==Material characteristics==

===ABS (Acrylonitrileacrylonitrile Butadienebutadiene Styrenestyrene)===

[[Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene|Acrylonitrile]] Butadiene Styrene (ABS)]] is used for the conveyance of potable water, slurries and chemicals. Most commonly used for DWV (drain-waste-vent) applications. It has a wide temperature range, from -40&nbsp;°C to +60&nbsp;°C.

ABS is a [[thermoplastic]] material and was originally developed in the early 1950s for use in [[oil field]]s and the chemical industry. The variability of the material and its relative cost effectiveness has made it a popular engineering plastic. It can be tailored to a range of applications by modifying the ratio of the individual chemical components.

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This material is also used in non-pressure piping systems for [[soil]] and waste.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.teppfa.eu/fast-guide-to-materials/|title = Fast Guide to Materials|last = TEPPFA, The European Plastic Pipes and Fittings Association}}</ref>

=== CPVC (Chlorinatedchlorinated Polyvinylpolyvinyl Chloridechloride) ===

[[Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride|Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride]] (CPVC)]] is resistant to many acids, bases, salts, paraffinic hydrocarbons, halogens and alcohols. It is not resistant to solvents, aromatics and some chlorinated hydrocarbons. It can carry higher temperature liquids than uPVC with a max operating temperature reaching {{convert|200|°F|°C|1}}. Due to its greater temperature threshold and chemical resistance, CPVC is one of the main recommended material choices in residential, commercial, and industrial water and liquid transport.

=== HDPE (Highhigh-Densitydensity Polyethylenepolyethylene) ===

[[High-density polyethylene|High-Density Polyethylene]] (HDPE)]] - HDPE pipe is strong, flexible and light weight. It has a zero leak rate when fused together.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://isco-pipe.com/pipe/|title=HDPE Pipe|access-date=16 March 2021}}</ref>

===PB-1 (polybutylene) ===

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===PE (polyethylene)===

[[File:Acu-Therm Coex white skinned HDPE Pipe lengths..jpg|thumb|Polyethylene Piping in Australia, made from HDPE material.]]

[[Polyethylene]] has been successfully used for the safe conveyance of potable and waste water, hazardous waste, and compressed gases for many years. Two variants are [[HDPE pipe|HDPE Pipe]] ([[high-density polyethylene]])<ref>{{cite web|title=HDPE|url=http://plasticpipe.org/pdf/high_density_polyethylene_pipe_systems.pdf|publisher=Plastics Pipe Institute|access-date=2011-12-29}}</ref> and the more heat resistant [[PEX]] (cross-linked polyethylene, also XLPE).

PE has been used for pipes since the early 1950s. PE pipes are made by [[extrusion]] in a variety of sizes dimensions. PE is lightweight, flexible and easy to weld. Its smooth interior finish ensures good flow characteristics. Continuous development of the material has enhanced its performance, leading to rapidly increasing usage by major water and gas utility companies throughout the world.

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PP is a thermoplastic polymer made from polypropylene. It was first invented in the 1950s and has been used for pipes since the 1970s. Due to the high impact resistance combined with good stiffness and high chemical resistance makes this material suitable for sewer applications. A good performance at operating temperature range from up to {{convert|60|°C|°F}} (continuous) makes this material suitable for in-house discharge systems for soil & waste. A special PP grade with high temperature behaviour up to {{convert|90|°C|°F}} (short-term) makes that material a good choice for in-house warm water supply.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.teppfa.eu/fast-guide-to-materials/|title = Fast guide to materials|last = TEPPFA, The European Plastic Pipes and Fittings Association}}</ref>

===PVDF (Polyvinylidenepolyvinylidene Difluoridedifluoride)===

[[Polyvinylidene fluoride|Polyvinylidene Difluoridedifluoride]] (PVDF)]] is a fairly non-reactive, [[thermoplastic]] [[fluoropolymer]] with excellent chemical and thermal resistance for plastic pipework uses. PVDF resin is produced through polymerization of the vinylidene fluoride monomer. The PVDF resin is then used to make PVDF pipe as well as many other products.

Industries and applications select PVDF pipe due to its inert, durable qualities. PVDF piping is used most in the chemical process industry due to its ability to plumb aggressive, corrosive solutions. PVDF pipe also sees common use in high purity applications, semi-conductor fabrication, electronics / electricity, pharmaceutical developments, and nuclear waste processing.

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PVDF piping specifications and performance characteristics approve PVDF pipe up to {{convert|248|°F|°C}} under pressurized system conditions. The pipe does not support fungus growth according to military test standard method 508, 81-0B. Dissimilar from other common thermoplastic pipes, (uPVC, CPVC, PE, PP), PVDF does not exhibit sensitivity to UV light or ozone oxidative damage, approving it for long term outdoor uses.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pvcpipesupplies.com/media/documents/kynar_specs.pdf|title=PVDF Performance Characteristics & Data|website=Arkema}}</ref>

===uPVC (unplasticized Polyvinylpolyvinyl Chloridechloride)===

[[File:Dura-Blue PVC Pipe for Underground Water Mains.JPG|thumb|right|[[Unplasticized polyvinyl chloride]] pipe for underground [[water mains]]]]

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uPVC has high chemical resistance across its [[operating temperature]] range, with a broad band of operating pressures. Max operating temperature is reported at {{convert|140|°F|°C}}, and max working pressure: {{convert|450|psi|kPa|abbr=on}}. Due to its long-term strength characteristics, high stiffness and cost effectiveness, uPVC systems account for a large proportion of plastic piping installations and some estimations put it that greater than {{convert|2,000,000|mi|km}} of uPVC pipe are currently in service across applications.

=== uPVC Variantsvariants ===

Based on the standard polyvinyl chloride material, three other variants are in use.