PVC Pipe

Plastic pressure pipe systems are used for the conveyance of drinking water, waste water, chemicals, heating and cooling fluids, foodstuffs, ultra-pure liquids, slurries, gases, compressed air and vacuum system applications, both for above and below ground applications. Plastic pressure pipe systems have been in use in the United States for drinking water systems since the 1950s. The most common pipe systems are named after the materials they are made from. The type of pipe in use is dependent on the material passed through the pipe, the operating pressure, and the operating temperature.

ABS is suitable for the conveyance of potable water, slurries and chemicals, and is used for chilled water applications, due to its low temperature properties and compressed airline systems. In residential settings, it is often used for drain pipes. PVC has many of the same properties as PVC, and is also resistant to many acids, bases, salts, paraffinic hydrocarbons, halogens and alcohols. It is not resistant to solvents, aromatics and some chlorinated hydrocarbons.

In some places, it has been approved in residential water supply systems. Polypropylene is suitable for use with foodstuffs, potable and ultra pure waters, as well as within the pharmaceutical and chemical industries. Polypropylene is adversely affected by UV radiation and requires insulation or a protective coating if installed outside. PVDF is widely used in the chemical industry as a piping system for aggressive liquids. PVDF is a homopolymer without additives such as stabilizers and processing agents. It also displays excellent flame retardant properties.

Polybutylene pipes share similar properties to Polyethylene pipes except the material can be made thinner due to increased creep resistance. PB pipes were used as water supply pipes in the United States and Canada from the 1970s to the 1990s. Due to premature aging of the pipe, leaks occurred frequently and eventually a class action lawsuit against the manufacturers was settled.