6 Invincible Differences About CPVC vs PVC: Which One Is Right For You?
Many of us have heard the term PVC in our day to life. But how many of you know the full form of these 3 letters? What does CPVC stand for? In this article, we will be talking more about CPVC vs. PVC and how they outweigh each other.
If we exclude the negative environmental aspects of plastic, it has been one of the man’s most versatile and malleable creations. There are literally hundreds of different varieties and types of plastic and they have been used in almost all spheres our daily life. Two of the most commonly used types of plastic are PVC and CPVC.
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Differences Between CPVC And PVC
The Basic Composition
PVC or Polyvinyl chloride is a thermoplastic polymer and is considered to be third most widely used kind of plastic. It is an extremely versatile and useful substance that is generally found in 2 forms: Rigid form, which is used in construction and for profile application such as on doors and windows.
PVC can be turned into a softer and flexible form by adding plasticizers to it. PVC, in this form, is used in plumbing, electric cable insulation, as imitation leather and the likes. It has many applications in which it can replace the use of rubber.
While, on the other hand, CPVC or Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride is a modified form of PVC. In this kind of plastic, the chlorine content is increased to 67 per cent. This increase in chloride in the plastic gives it a lot of new properties. One such important property of chlorinated PVC is its higher heat resistance. But, this also makes the plastic less malleable or flexible.
Applications
PVC has a wide range of application in our day to day life. One of the biggest and most extensive uses of PVC is in the piping industry. Almost half of all PVC produced is used up by piping industry. The PVC’s low cost and high resistance to chemicals and nature make it an ideal candidate for use in piping.
Another important application of PVC is in the production of electric cables. The PVC used in this process is generally plasticized. It has very good fire retardant properties, making it ideal for wiring industry. In addition, PVC also has a lot of applications in the housing industry, clothing and furniture and even in health care.
On the other hand, CPVC finds its uses in office buildings, pool, and spas, healthcare and hospitality sector.
Varied Chlorine Content
The main difference between PVC and CPVC is the increased amount of chlorine in the latter. This increased chlorine content improves heat resistance of the plastic by sacrificing its flexibility and malleability. This means that CPVC has lesser number of applications when compared to its non-chlorinated counterpart.
Resistance
PVC can work or handle fluids that are around 140F, whereas CPVC can easily handle fluids at very higher pressure and temperature. CPVC can handle as much as 200F, which can vary depending on the manufacturer and product. This means that the most important application of chlorinated PVC is in transferring really hot fluids.
Both PVC and CPVC are extremely resistant to corrosion and degradation due to time and nature. They also offer a good resistance to acids, alkali and inorganic materials. Further, they impact proof, durable and safe to use with portable water.
Cost
CPVC is also more expensive than ordinary PVC, which means that CPVC is only used in a certain niche environment. These include use in office buildings and apartments and also in condominium fire protection. The extra chlorine in CPVC also prevents the growth of any bacteria on the pipes.
Color
To an experienced worker, it is easily possible to distinguish the type of PVC he is working with. PVC is white or dark gray color whereas CPVC is off-white, light gray or yellow in color. The technical specifications of the pipes are also printed on its sides for easy identification.
Things To Take Care Of While Using PVC And CPVC
- Both PVC and CPVC can produce large quantities of toxic fumes when heated or burned. It is extremely important to take proper precautions and work in well-ventilated areas.
- Both PVC and CPVC require different primers and solvents to use. This can also vary based on the applications.
- PVC pipes are sized by nominal pipe size or based on the diameter of their internal hole whereas CPVC pipes are sized based on nominal pipe size and copper tube size (outside diameter of the tube).
CPVC Vs PVC – Which One Is Suitable For You?
So now that we have learned about the difference in the constitution and properties of the two type of plastic, let us have a discussion on which of the two is suitable for your use.
Choosing a kind of plastic for your use is dependent on 2 factors: the amount you are willing to pay for it and its intended use. If you are looking for a material to use as a pipe for transporting hot water, the CPVC is the best option. If you are looking for just a material to use in your normal plumbing, PVC is more than sufficient.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed the differences between PVC and CPVC and its different applications. I hope that everyone has found what they had been looking for when they first started reading the article.
If you have any more doubts and queries about PVC and CPVC and its applications, then feel free to contact us through the comments option and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Also, share the article to spread the knowledge.
