Besides PVC-U and PVC-C Pipes, What Other Classifications Are There for PVC Pipes?

Ningbo Fangli Technology Co., Ltd. is a mechanical equipment manufacturer with nearly 30 years’ experiences of plastic pipe extrusion equipment, new environmental protection and new materials equipment. Since its establishment Fangli has been developed based on user’s demands. Through continuous improvement, independent R&D on the core technology and digestion & absorption of advanced technology and other means, we have developed PVC pipe extrusion line, PP-R pipe extrusion line, PE water supply / gas pipe extrusion line, which was recommended by the Chinese Ministry of Construction to replace imported products. We have gained the title of “First-class Brand in Zhejiang Province”.

This introduction to PVC pipe classifications focuses solely on names, not applications. While PVC-U and PVC-C are quite common, what other classifications exist? What are their respective characteristics and advantages? Let's clarify this today.

I. PVC-U Pipe

● Full Name: Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride

● Definition:

The "U" in PVC-U stands for "Unplasticized", meaning no plasticizers are added. It is a rigid polyvinyl chloride pipe with high rigidity and strength. It is the most fundamental and widely used type of PVC pipe.

● Characteristics:

------ Excellent corrosion resistance and chemical stability, suitable for various acid and alkali environments.

------ Smooth inner wall, low fluid resistance, resistant to scaling.

------ Lightweight, easy to install, cost-effective.

------ Moderate pressure resistance, suitable for low to medium pressure applications.

● Applications & Classifications:

------ Building Drainage Pipes: For sewage and rainwater discharge in residential and commercial buildings.

------ Water Supply Pipes: For municipal and building cold water supply.

------ Chemical Pipes: Transporting low-pressure corrosive chemical liquids.

------ Cable Protection Conduits: Protecting power and communication cables.

------ Agricultural Irrigation Pipes: For drip or sprinkler irrigation systems in farmland.

II. PVC-UH Pipe

● Full Name: High-Performance Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride

● Definition:

The "UH" in PVC-UH stands for "High Performance". It is an unplasticized rigid polyvinyl chloride pipe manufactured through optimized formulations and improved processes, representing an upgraded version of PVC-U.

● Characteristics:

------ Higher impact resistance and pressure-bearing capacity.

------ Optimized molecular structure, better toughness, strong crack resistance.

------ Corrosion resistance and hygiene performance comparable to PVC-U.

------ Long service life, suitable for complex environments.

● Applications & Classifications:

------ High-Pressure Water Supply Pipes: For municipal water mains or high-pressure water transmission.

------ Drainage & Sewage Pipes: For municipal or building sewage/wastewater discharge, strong impact resistance.

------ Industrial Conveyance Pipes: Transporting medium-to-high pressure non-corrosive fluids.

III. PVC-C Pipe

● Full Name: Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride

● Definition:

The "C" in PVC-C stands for "Chlorinated". It is a rigid polyvinyl chloride pipe made through chlorination modification, offering higher heat resistance and strength.

● Characteristics:

------ Heat resistant, capable of withstanding hot water up to 95°C (PVC-U generally max 60°C).

------ Excellent flame retardancy and chemical corrosion resistance.

------ High strength, suitable for medium-to-high pressure environments.

------ Simple installation, commonly using heat fusion or solvent cementing.

● Applications & Classifications:

------ Hot Water Supply Pipes: For building hot water circulation systems.

------ Fire Sprinkler Pipes: For fire sprinkler systems, meeting flame retardancy requirements.

------ Chemical Conveyance Pipes: Transporting high-temperature or corrosive chemical liquids.

------ Building Sewage Pipes: For discharging high-temperature or corrosive wastewater inside buildings.

------ Cable Protection Conduits: Protecting power and communication cables.

IV. PVC-M Pipe

● Full Name: Modified Polyvinyl Chloride

● Definition:

The "M" in PVC-M stands for "Modified". It is a rigid polyvinyl chloride pipe based on PVC-U, manufactured by adding modifiers (such as rubber or elastomers), providing higher toughness and impact resistance.

● Characteristics:

------ Strong impact resistance, resistant to low-temperature cracking.

------ Thinner and lighter than PVC-U while maintaining high strength.

------ Excellent pressure resistance, suitable for high-pressure environments.

------ Corrosion resistant, smooth inner wall, high fluid conveyance efficiency.

● Applications & Classifications:

------ High-Pressure Water Supply Pipes: For municipal water mains or high-pressure water transmission.

------ Mining Pipes: For mine drainage or ventilation, requiring high impact resistance.

------ Agricultural Irrigation Pipes: For high-pressure sprinkler irrigation or long-distance water transport.

------ Industrial Conveyance Pipes: Transporting medium-to-high pressure non-corrosive fluids.

V. PVC-O Pipe

● Full Name: Oriented Polyvinyl Chloride

● Definition:

The "O" in PVC-O stands for "Oriented". It is a rigid polyvinyl chloride pipe where molecular chains are realigned through a special orientation processing technique, resulting in extremely high strength and toughness.

● Characteristics:

------ Extremely high strength (up to 2x traditional PVC), thin-walled but pressure-resistant.

------ Excellent toughness, strong impact and fatigue resistance.

------ Lightweight, high material utilization, cost-saving.

------ Corrosion resistant, suitable for long-term use.

● Applications & Classifications:

------ High-Pressure Water Supply Pipes: For long-distance municipal water supply or cross-regional water transmission.

------ Industrial High-Pressure Pipes: Transporting high-pressure industrial fluids.

------ Irrigation Mainlines: For large-scale high-pressure agricultural irrigation.

It's clear that these classifications are essentially derived from modifications or performance enhancements based on the original PVC-U pipe. Therefore, they can also be summarized as classifications based on PVC pipe modification methods.

If you need more information, Ningbo Fangli Technology Co., Ltd. welcomes you to contact for a detailed inquiry, we will provide you with professional technical guidance or equipment procurement suggestions.