Plastic pressure pipe systems

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.cite book |title=Assessment and Renewal of Water Distribution Systems |last=Gregg |first=Neil |isbn=1843399148 |page=25 |year=2005 |publisher=IWA Publishing]

Types of pipe systems

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. To ensure pipes from different vendors work together, the ISO set standards [ [http://www.iso.org/iso/en/CatalogueListPage.CatalogueList?ICS1=23&ICS2=040&ICS3=45 ISO - ISO Standards ] ] for manufacturers to follow.

Materials

In addition to the fittings, valves, and accessories that comprise a pipe system, the pipes themselves vary in size and composition, depending on the application.

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)

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. [ [http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/asktoh/question/0,,603768,00.html Quieting Drainpipes | Plumbing | How-to | This Old House ] ]

Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride (uPVC)

uPVC, commonly known as rigid PVC is used where resistance to chemicals and abuse is required.cite |author=Bhima Vijayendran |page=2978 |title=Environmentally Friendly Plasticizers for Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Resins |publisher=Society of Plastics Engineers |editor=Ashok Misra |date=2001]

Polyvinyl Chloride, Post Chlorinated (cPVC)

cPVC has many of the same properties as uPVC, 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.cite book |title=Encyclopedia of Corrosion Technology |last=Schweitzer |first=Phillip |year=2004 |publisher=CRC Press |page=135]

In some places, it has been approved in residential water supply systems. [http://www.bsc.ca.gov/documents/PR07-02_final__pics.pdf]

Polypropylene (PP)

Polypropylene is suitable for use with foodstuffs, potable and ultra pure waters, as well as within the pharmaceutical and chemical industries.Fact|date=August 2007 Polypropylene is adversely affected by UV radiation and requires insulation or a protective coating if installed outside.Fact|date=August 2007

Polyethylene (PE)

When compared to other plastics, polyethylene shows excellent diffusion resistance, and because of this property, polyethylene has been used for gas conveyance for many years.Fact|date=August 2007

Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF)

PVDF is widely used in the chemical industry as a piping system for aggressive liquids.Fact|date=August 2007 PVDF is a homopolymer without additives such as stabilizers and processing agents. It also displays excellent flame retardant properties.Fact|date=August 2007

Polybutylene (PB)

Polybutylene pipes share similar properties to Polyethylene pipes except the material can be made thinner due to increased creep resistance.cite book |title=Plastics Materials and Processes: A Concise Encyclopedia |last=Harper |first=Charles |year=2003 |publisher=John Wiley and Sons |isbn=0471456039] 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.cite web |url=http://ag.arizona.edu/AZWATER/awr/nov94/leaks.html |title=Leaks Plague Polybutylene Plumbing |accessdate-2008-03-28 |publisher=University of Arizona Water Research Center]

See also

*Reinforced thermoplastic pipe

References