Types Of PVC And Their Applications

pvc pipes

There is no doubt that PVC is a very widely used material with a diverse range of applications. It is economical, and durable, making it highly sought-after for various residential, commercial, and industrial processes. There are four main categories when speaking about different types of PVC with different applications across industries worldwide. PVC was quite accidentally discovered, and since then has been substituting expensive and laborious processes with economical solutions.

PVC has several different additives used during the manufacturing process, depending on its applications. For instance, a PVC pipe that will be used for highly pressurized water systems will have different specifications for the same. PVC can be manufactured to withstand extreme temperatures and ensure felicity and durability. There are four main types of PVC used by businesses and they are briefly discussed below or a better understanding.

PVC-U

PVC-U is an unplasticized version of the PVC. This type of PVC is commonly known as rigid PVC, popularly used for water, soil, waste, underground drainage, and industrial applications. As PVC pipes are nonreactive to chemical and UC exposure, these pipes can last for more than a hundred years in many cases. The main drawback of this material is that it is brittle and can crack easily when compared to other materials used or pipes and fitting. This is the main reason why most PVC plumbing pipes and fittings are protected with padding and other materials, to ensure that there are low impact and lesser chances of damage through contact.

C-PVC

C-PVC pipes use chlorine, which ensures that the pipes are temperatures resistant and nonreactive, making it ideal for drinking water. C-PVC also has high impact resistance, and the extra chlorine in these pipes allows it to function at wider ranges of temperatures for composite pipe fittings. When compared to other types of PVC, UPVC pipes are far more malleable and ductile, and also can be completely recycled after use, which makes it an eco-friendly option.

PVC-O

PVC-O undergoes extensive processing, which enables it to be two times stronger than PVC-U and has up to ten times higher impact resistance to ensure the durability of the pipes and products. These are typically used for highly pressurized water which is feasible as the molecular structure of the polymer allows the walls of the pipes to be extremely thin, without compromising its strength; PVC-O also has a greater hydraulic capacity and the high strength material at maximum material efficiency with negligible wastage throughout. PVC-O also has superior corrosion resistant properties when compared to the other types of PVC. Energy and material efficiency are also contributing reasons why it is used extensively across industries to suit various applications.

PVC-Hi

This type of PVC can withstand high impact with ample resistance; this is created by adding a modifier to PVC-U, thereby increasing the pipe’s resistance to high powered impacts. PVC-Hi is used mostly for supplying natural gas as it can withstand tremendous pressure without hassle.

These are the four main types of PVC widely used across many industries, to suit different conditions for the best results. Therefore, PVC is extensively used due to it being a cost-effective and durable solution, with a wide range of applications and can be customized to suit individual business requirements.

PVC usage is not restricted to pipes and fittings and is commonly used for various household and commercial products and at large scale industrial processes as well. With various options for customizations, PVC remains, by far, one of the most versatile materials in the industry, with a wide range of simple and complex applications for the same.