Plastic pipework

Plastic pipework is 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.

Materials used

• ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
• UPVC (Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride)
• CPVC (Post Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride)
• PP (Polypropylene)
• PE (Polyethylene) also known as LDPE, MDPE and HDPE (low, medium, and high density)
• PVDF (Polyvinylidene fluoride)

Material characteristics

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)

ABS is used for the conveyance of potable water, slurries and chemicals.

UPVC (Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride) and CPVC (Post Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride)

UPVC has excellent chemical resistance across its operating temperature range, with a broad band of operating pressures. Due to its long-term strength characteristics, high stiffness and cost effectiveness, UPVC systems account for a large proportion of plastic piping installations.

CPVC is resistant to many acids, bases, salts, paraffinic hydrocarbons, halogens and alcohols. It is not resistant to solvents, aromatics and some chlorinated hydrocarbons.

PP (Polypropylene)

Polypropylene is suitable for use with foodstuffs, potable and ultra pure waters, as well as within the pharmaceutical and chemical industries.

PE (Polyethylene)

Polyethylene has been successfully used for the safe conveyance of potable and waste water, hazardous waste, and compressed gases for many years.

PVDF (Polyvinylidene Fluoride)

PVDF has excellent chemical resistance which means that it is widely used in the chemical industry as a piping system for aggressive liquids.

Components of Plastic Pressure Pipe Systems

Pipes, fittings, valves, and accessories make up a plastic pressure pipe system. The range of pipe diameters for each pipe system does vary. However, the size ranges from 12 to 400 mm (0.472 to 15.748 in) and ³⁄₈ to 16 in (9.53 to 406.40 mm).

Pipes are extruded and are generally available in: 3 m (9.84 ft),4 m (13.12 ft), 5 m (16.40 ft), and 6 m (19.69 ft) straight lengths and 25 m (82.02 ft), 50 m (164.04 ft), 100 m (328.08 ft), and 200 m (656.17 ft) coils for LDPE and MDPE

Pipe fittings are moulded and come in many sizes: Tee 90° equal (straight and reducing), Tee 45°, Cross equal, Elbow 90° (straight and reducing), Elbow 45°, Short Radius Bend 90° Socket/coupler (straight and reducing), Union, End Caps, Reducing Bush, and Stub, Full face, and blanking flanges.

Valves are moulded and also come in many types: Ball Valve (also multiport), Butterfly valve, spring-, ball-, and swing-check non-return valves, Diaphragm valve, Knife Gate Valve, Globe Valve and Pressure Relief/Reduction Valves

Accessories are solvents, cleaners, glues, clips, backing rings, and gaskets

See also

• Piping
• Plastic pipe
• Reinforced thermoplastic pipe

References

• NCCER (2006). Plastic Pipe and Fittings: Trainee Guide. Prentice Hall. ISBN 0131600427. 

• David Willoughby (2002). Plastic Piping Handbook. McGraw-Hill Professional. ISBN 0071359567. 

• Thomas Sixsmith & R. Hanselka (1997). Handbook of Thermoplastic Piping System Design. Marcel Dekker Ltd. ISBN 0824798465. 

• David A. Chasis (1988). Plastic Piping Systems. Industrial Press. ISBN 083111181X. 

External links

• ISO Technical Committee TC 138 - Plastics pipes, fittings and valves for the transport of fluids
• ASTM Plastics Pipe Standards
• Plastics Pipe Institute (PPI)
• Plastics Pipes and Fittings Association (PPFA)
• The European Plastic Pipes and Fittings Association (TEPPFA)
• Uni-Bell PVC Pipe Association