Copper has been around for centuries. It is in common use for pipes and fittings. Stainless steel is another option, a less expensive one for the oil and gas industries. However, a more controversial and more recent option is chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC). It is currently coming into favor for certain types of pipes. CPVC pipe fittings are also available.
Pipe Fittings and Plastics
Metal, ceramic and concrete once comprised the basic components of any pipe project – residential, commercial or industrial. The threaded fittings required greater attention. The development of plastic pipes for plumbing systems in the 1930s began to alter the mindset by increasing options. As technological advancements saw improvements in polymers, industries began to look at them as viable for their transmission lines and the fittings that connected them. The list of plastics includes:
* Cross-linked polyethylene (PEX)
* Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
* Chlorinated polyvinyl chlorine (CPVC)
Of these three, the inherent properties of the material make CPVC pipe fittings a good choice for the chemical and petrochemical industries.
CPVC
While PVC is a possible solution, it is not as attractive as its offspring – CPVC. Developed in the 1960s, the chlorine treatment improved the capabilities of this thermoplastic. The result is a product that is more flexible. Easily shaped, it is also capable of withstanding higher temperatures and pressures than PVC can. Overall, the material has certain desirable properties including:
* Corrosion resistant
* Low heat conductivity
* Non-reactivity
* Easy installation
* Has fewer blockages
* Highly moldable
* More versatile than PVC
These properties indicate the potential use of such material in pipes and pipe fittings for industrial applications as well as commercial and residential ones.
CPVC Pipe Fittings
Although CVPC pipes and fittings tend to be more expensive than PVC ones, the product soon pays for itself. It is truly cost-effective because of its properties. Opting for CPVC pipe fittings offers industries benefits that are more tangible and extensive than those possible from utilizing metal ones.
