PVC Pipes

What is PVC? 

PVC or polyvinyl chloride is a resin produced through the polymerization of vinyl chloride (CH₂=CHCl). In its pure form, PVC is a light and rigid plastic, while it can be manufactured to be flexible as well. PVC is used in both industrial and consumer products. Pure PVC is used to create objects such as pipes, due to its rigidity and strength. When vinyl chloride is reacted with free-radical initiators, PVC is produced. In this reaction, the double bond in vinyl chloride monomers is broken. The resultant single bonds link the vinyl chloride monomers together to form the repeating unit of the polymer [2]. 

Advantages and Disadvantages of PVC Pipes:

Applications of PVC Pipes:

Applications of PVC pipes include:

• Water plumbing [7]
  • Pipes are used to transfer water supplies to buildings, facilities or equipment
  • Recommended to transfer unheated water
• Waste handling and control [7]
  • Pipes are used in sewers, wastewater conveyance, drains and vents associated with structures and equipment such as sinks and toilets
• Chemical handling, delivery, process, or transfer [7]
  • PVC pipes are able to withstand contact with many chemicals
  • Common chemicals that are used with PVC pipes include organic and inorganic acids, anhydride acids, alcohols, hydrocarbons, ammonias, alkalis, halogens, salts and oxidizing acids

PVC Pipes Sizing:

Figure 4: Sizing chart for various PVC pipe sizes [8]

PVC Pipes Suppliers:

Suppliers of PVC pipes include:

• Ontario Plastics Wholesale [9]
• NAPCO Royal Pipe and Fittings [10]
• Noble [11]
• Home Depot [12]
• Rona [13]
• Lowes [14]