Different Plastic Materials for Sanitary Pipe Fittings and Pipes

Among the earliest materials to be used for water supply and sanitary pipes and fittings were metals. While they served their purpose, over time, as their disadvantages began to outweigh their uses, alternatives were being sought. It was thus that in the 1930s that plastic pipes began to be first used in water supply pipelines in Europe. Gradually, they have made their way to installations arounf the world. Within the category of plastic pipes and fittings, there are different materials, each with their distinct properties and applications. Let us understand the different classifications of plastic materials for sanitary pipes and fittings:

1. PVC: Polvinyl chloride is one of the oldest thermoplastics used for water supply and management pipelines. PVC pipes and sanitary pipe fittings show high corrosion resistance, durability and ease of installation, which makes them a preferred choice for even the harshest service conditions. Several modifications of PVC are also used for other applications in supply and drainage pipelines.

2. Unplasticized PVC: uPVC pipes are made by omitting the plasticizing polymers which are used to manufacture the rigid PVC sanitary pipe fittings and pipes for a wide range of applications in domestic, commercial and industrial applications. uPVC pipes and fittings have high UV and corrosion resistance which makes them suitable for water supply installations even outdoors.

3. Chlorinated PVC: For hot water applications, chlorinated PVC or CPVC pipes and fittings are the optimal choice. They can withstand temperature changes varying between 0 to 93°C over the long term, and are suitable for domestic and commercial applications.

4. PPR: Polypropylene random copolymer or PPR pipes and fittings are among the more eco friendly solutions for plastic piping. With high temperature resistance, PPR pipe for hot water supply is used for domestic and commercial heating and cooling system applications as well.

5. PEX: Cross-linked polyethylene or PEX pipes also show excellent temperature resistance, which makes them ideal for use in underfloor heating systems. In commercial and industrial applications, PEX pipes are also used for oil and gas pipelines. The connections in PEX pipes are made using metal connectors which create secure joints for reliable efficiency.

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