Know The Major Differences Between CPVC Pipes and PVC Pipes

What is PVC? & What is PVC Used For?

The full form of PVC pipe is polyvinyl chloride pipe. It is most commonly used in plumbing and drainage systems as an alternative to metal pipes. PVC pipe is known for its durability, strength, ease of installation, and cost-effectiveness, making it one of the most prevalently used plastics in the world. It is a thermoplastic material that is moulded in various shapes for the manufacturing of pipes, fittings, valves, and other liquid handling supplies. Some of the PVC pipe uses include its applications in:

1. Water and plumbing pipes
2. Chemical handling, processing, delivery, and transfer
3. Controlling and handling waste
4. Building infrastructure and structural material
5. Coatings and cable insulation

The Molecular Makeup of PVC

The prefix "poly" means "many" in Latin. Polymers are long chains of monomeric basic units. Vinyl is a type of hydrocarbon group found in plastics. The molecular formula of vinyl chloride monomer, or the fundamental unit for polyvinyl chloride, is C2H3Cl. Polyvinyl chloride is formed by linking many units of this vinyl chloride monomer through a process known as polymerization.

The Limitations of PVC Pipes Over CPVC Pipes

For choosing the right material type for your plumbing systems, you need to understand the limitations of PVC pipes over CPVC pipes to make the right decision. Here are a few limitations you must consider before making the choice:

1. CPVC can withstand temperatures up to 200 °F, whereas PVC pipes peak at 140°F.
2. PVC is limited to being available in nominal pipe sizes, whereas CPVC is available in both nominal pipe sizes and copper tube sizes.
3. CPVC is more flexible than PVC and requires support at three-foot intervals to stay in place.
4. The tensile strength of PVC is 7500 PSI, whereas CPVC has a tensile strength of 8200 PSI.

Common CPVC and PVC Product Types

Both PVC and CPVC resins begin as powders or pellets, often with additives already mixed in. The resin is then shaped or moulded into residential, commercial, and industrial products.

PVC and CPVC are moulded using one of two methods:

• Injection moulding is a simple and repeatable process for high-volume production. The resin is fed into a heated barrel, then injected through the mould tool and cooled to harden.
• Another high-volume process, extrusion, begins when the resin is fed into the machine at the top. The raw material is gradually melted using the mechanical energy of a turning screw and heaters installed along the barrel. It is further formed into a continuous profile and cooled to harden.

The CPVC and PVC product types include the following applications:

1. The ease of installation and corrosion resistance make PVC a valuable replacement for alternative materials for pipes, fittings, and valves.
2. CPVC is most commonly specified for pipes, CPVC fittings, and valves where chemical, heat, and pressure resistance are among the main concerns.
3. They are used for ducting in fume handling systems, depending on the demands (primarily temperature).
4. CPVC's outstanding resistance to corrosion and fire performance allows it to be used in a variety of industrial applications and be overwrapped with Fibre Reinforced Plastic (FRP).
5. PVC can also be used if the sheet or liner will be subjected to lower temperature and pressure demands.

Why trust FlowGuard® Plus CPVC in India?

CPVC pipes made using the FlowGuard® Plus CPVC compound are the most trusted products widely used for residential and commercial plumbing systems across India. The FlowGuard Plus CPVC compound is the best-in-class as it ensures corrosion resistance, temperature resistance of up to 93°C, UV and fire resistance, ease of installation, long-life performance, low maintenance cost, impressive pressure resistance, and high impact resistance. All of these factors make FlowGuard® Plus CPVC Pipes the best choice for various applications.