PVC Piping Fittings – What Is Piping

PVC piping is one of the versatile types of plastic piping. PVC pipes are in use for many years servicing a lot of applications in various market sectors. These pipes are made out of a material which is known as polyvinyl chloride. PVC pipes possess good strength and highly durable with very good corrosion resistance properties. They are economical, robust, and comes in various sizes with a range of pipe fittings. They can be used for both warm or cold water applications. PVC piping is easily available in the market. In the water distribution and sanitary applications, PVC piping accounts for more than 60% of the market share. Fig. 1 shows a typical application of PVC Piping in Building Services. Fig. 1: Typical PVC Piping in Building Services What is PVC Pipe used for? PVC pipes are used for manufacturing sewage pipes, irrigation, and water mains. PVC pipes possess very long-lasting properties, they are easy to install, strong, lightweight, durable, and are easily recyclable hence making them cost-efficient and sustainable. The smooth surface of PVC pipes encourages faster water flow due to a low amount of friction as compared to metallic or concrete piping. These pipes can also be manufactured to different lengths, diameters, and wall thickness according to international standards such as DIN 8061 and ASTM D1785. Some other typical applications include: Fire Sprinkler PipingRadiant Floor HeatingPiping inside a Swimming PoolChilled Water SystemsIce Melting How Are PVC Pipes Made? Chemical Reaction: These pipes have their origin in the chemical gas known as vinyl chloride. This vinyl chloride is exposed to the sunlight creating a chemical reaction which is known as polymerization which turns into a whitish solid material. In achieving the shape and solidity of a PVC pipe, chemicals are introduced to one another. The natural gas is heated to create ethylene. This process is known as cracking. Then sodium chloride is formed using electrolysis which results in chlorine and sodium hydroxide. Molecular bonding: Vinyl chloride monomer is made by introducing chlorine and ethylene. Molecules are then bonded from each molecule's end resulting in a long chain of PVC polymer. Hence, plastic is created. This polymerized plastic which is known as thermoplastic PVC powder is melted and molded into the piping. This results in a tube of PVC plastic. Due to the chemical process, PVC becomes very solid and rigid and is less likely to break during earthquakes and can therefore withstand pressures that any metals cannot tolerate which is why polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is the preferred material used for plumbing and underground wiring. Manufacturing of PVC Piping PVC pipes are manufactured using a machine called extruder in sizes as small as 16mm and large as 630mm. The PVC plastic is being routed through a double screw stem extruder or a conical twin-screw. The wall thickness of the PVC hose is determined by molding. PVC pipe extruder helps in making the diameter of the pipe. The standard PVC pipe extruder has a production speed of about twenty meters per minute. The hose runs through a vacuum pump. At the end of the assembly line, a ring cutting machine is employed to divide the PVC pipes into sections of individual pipes which are then cooled and racked. The completed PVC pipes are sent to the warehouse for labeling, final inspection, and shipping. Fig. 2: Manufacturing of PVC Piping UV resistance of PVC piping The PVC pipe undergoes surface oxidation and exposure to sunlight. The pipe changes its color from gray to white due to which it becomes more susceptible to impact damage but the strength of the piping is not reduced. By applying a thick coating of latex paint, UV protection can be provided. Heat Tracing of PVC piping To maintain a constant elevated temperature, heat tracing of PVC piping is required. The tracing is known as electric tracing. The pressure-temperature rating of the piping system should be more than the maximum heat trace temperature. Supporting of PVC Piping Systems Pipe saddles that are cut from PVC pipe are used at support locations. It should not rest directly on steel. The supports must be provided close to the inline items like valves. The piping connected to the vibrating equipment such as pumps should be isolated by using Teflon or rubber expansion joints. Fig. 3 below shows the typical support spacing for PVC piping systems. Fig. 3: Support Spacing for PVC Piping Systems PVC Piping Fittings To help in directional change, branch connection, size change, etc. of PVC pipe routing, a long list of commonly used PVC piping fittings are available. Tees: These are PVC pipe fittings with three ends, one on the side at a 90-degree angle and two in a straight line. They can connect two lines into one mainline. PVC tees are often used for PVC structures. These are extremely versatile fitting which is some of the most used parts in plumbing. Tees have slip socket ends but threaded versions are also available. Elbows: For the piping system to get a turn (directional change), you will need to bend the pipeline around with PVC elbows. These elbows are most commonly available at 90 degrees and 45 degrees angle. Mostly elbows have slip socket ends but threaded versions are also available. Crosses: This is a slightly less common type of PVC piping fitting that joins a four-pipe section. Crosses have four slip connections that meet at a 90-degree angle thereby forming a plus shape. These crosses are usually used in building framework out of PVC pipe. They are used to divide fluid flow in various directions. Couplings and Unions: Couplings are the most simple and inexpensive type of PVC pipe fitting. Couplings are small parts that connect one part to another, permanently, that is, it can connect pipe to pipe and pipe to fittings. These are available in female threaded or slip ends depending on the requirement. Unions connect things but not as permanent as couplings and can be taken apart. They are used in building temporary structures like tent supports and can be taken apart when the structure is not needed. It has a ring in the center separating the two ends from each other which allows easy maintenance and deconstruction. Caps and Plugs: The job of a PVC cap is to stop the flow. Caps are provided at the end of a pipeline that is not connecting to another pipe. The purpose of the cap is to stop a pipeline that is planned on expanding later or easy access to the system when needed. Caps also add a finished look to a pipe. They go around or outside of the pipe so as to have a socket or female threaded end. Plugs are also like caps but they stop the flow in a fitting instead of stopping the flow in a pipe. Because of this, they go inside the fitting which means they have a male threaded end. Fig. 4: PVC Piping Fittings Adapters (Female and male): Adapters are also known as reducing couplings that are a versatile fitting. These are designed to change the pipe's end type which allows it to connect to fittings and pipes of many sizes. They can have slip socket ends or threaded ends to connect to different pipes and fittings. They can be male or female threaded as well as a socket. Bushings: They are like adapters but focus on connecting pipes of different diameters. They are threaded which makes them apart from other types of fittings which in turn makes maintenance and pipeline customization a lot easier. They are often seen in landscaping applications due to their better performance with water fittings than metal which may cause rust. Nipples: In some situations, two female ends in a PVC system have to be connected. The PVC pipe fitting in this job is a nipple. Fitting with two male threaded ends is a nipple. This type of fitting requires a tight fit and is mostly made with schedule 80 PVC; however, they are still compatible with 40 schedule parts. Flanges: These are the type of fittings which allows attachment of accessories and other items to the pipe. Increases the strength of the pipe. It is a disc-like fitting creating a tight seal by pressing two surfaces together with bolts, edges, clamps. Mostly bolts are used to join two surfaces. They are available in threaded or slip ends. They are made with schedule 80 PVC because of the strength requirement of the flanges. PVC Piping Joining Methods The following joining methods are used for joining two PVC pipes. Solvent Welded JointsFlanged JointsThreaded Joints Applicable Standards for PVC Piping The below-listed PVC piping standards are widely used as the design guide for PVC Piping systems. ASTM D1785 -Standard Specification for Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) Plastic Pipe, Schedule 40, 80, and 120ASTM D2241 -Standard Specification for Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) Pressure-Rated Pipe (SDR Series)ASTM D2672 -Standard Specification for Joints for IPS PVC Pipe Using Solvent CementASTM D2729 - Standard Specification for Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) Sewer Pipe and Fitting.ASTM D2464 -Standard Specification for Threaded Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) Plastic Pipe Fitting, Schedule 80ASTM D2466 -Standard Specification for Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Plastic Pipe Fittings, Schedule 40AWWA C605 -Underground Installation of PVC and PVCO Pressure Pipe and FittingASTM F441- Standard Specification for Chlorinated Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (CPVC) Plastic Pipe, Schedules 40 and 80ASTM D2665 -PVC drain, waste and vent pipe, and fittingsEN 1329 - PVC piping for soil and waste discharge - DimensionsEN 1401 - PVC piping systems for non-pressure underground drainage and sewerageEN 1453 - PVC piping with structured-walls PVC vs Carbon Steel The main property differences between PVC and Carbon steel are listed in the following table. PropertyUnitCarbon SteelPVCDensitykg/m³78601550Coefficient of Thermal Expansionin/in °F x 1050.063Thermal ConductivityBTU/hr/ft2/°F/in2901.2Modulus of Elasticity @ 73°Fpsi x 1052904.2Tensile Strengthpsi60,0007,940Working Stress @ 73°Fpsi20,0002,000PVC vs Carbon Steel