The polymer market is constantly evolving and is also suffering the effects of a generalized crisis due to the pandemic, which has reduced the supply of raw materials, with consequences on the entire production and sales cycle. In a context such as the one described, also considering the technological evolution of materials, it is essential to shed some light in order to choose the best system solutions. Let’s start with an important difference: PVC pipes and polypropylene pipes.
PVC stands for polyvinyl chloride, a type of chlorine-based vinyl polymer material. There are different types of PVC pipes: single-layer and multi-layer.
These are pipes that have good mechanical characteristics, but heat resistance is limited to 60 ° C in the case of PVC-U. PVC pipes have a wide variety of applications: they are usually used for pressurized water supply systems, drainage, irrigation, rainwater collection. PVC pipes are also known to be durable and lightweight, which makes them
especially popular.
Polypropylene is a polymeric material that also allows the creation of light and easy-to-transport pipes. Polypropylene pipes, like all those made of polymeric material, have a very smooth inner layer compared to other types of pipes (e.g. those made of steel), thus ensuring minimal friction and low pressure drops during transport and distribution of the conveyed fluids.
Used for plumbing and heating since the 1980s, PP-R pipes also offer good chemical resistance. Polypropylene pipes have high heat resistance and good performance even at low temperatures. For this reason, also for the non-toxicity of the material, PP-R pipes are ideal for the transport of drinking water. The polypropylene products are also characterized by the ease of installation that takes place by polyfusion, a simple and rapid process, which makes the joints more reliable.
By analyzing some characteristics of polypropylene and PVC pipes, the differences can be better understood.
Polypropylene has the following peculiarities: resistance to high temperatures (peak up to 110 ° C), lightness (density less than 1g /cm³), possibility of joining by thermofusion, high chemical resistance.
PVC has the following characteristics: reduced resistance to high temperatures (max. 60 ° C), a much higher density, the need to check the release of monomer vinyl chloride and the impossibility of joining by thermofusion. Superior in terms of flame resistance and economy.
The respective peculiarities of the raw materials are therefore reflected in the characteristics of the products made with them.
The price of the pipes varies in relation to the type, thickness and diameters. Regardless of the cost of the pipeline itself, the overall costs must instead be considered depending on the type of application, labor and duration of the system.
The installation of polypropylene pipes is very convenient thanks, as seen, to polyfusion welding, without the use of chemicals. All these factors are reflected in a low environmental impact and limited costs.
Compared to traditional metal piping systems, polymeric materials do not show phenomenon of corrosion.
The thermal conductivity compared to metallic materials is very low, resulting in better energy efficiency of the systems and lower insulation costs.
PVC pipes are widely used in various applications, starting from the distribution of water, to the collection of wastewater and rainwater. Due to their poor resistance to high temperatures, they have limitations in thermal systems.
Polypropylene has a wide range of applications, including: hot and cold water sanitary systems, heating systems, transport of liquid for human consumption, compressed air and transport of aggressive liquid substances (for which a prior evaluation of compatibility it’s made).
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