In Russia, polypropylene pipes are by far the most popular material for installing plumbing and heating, both in private houses and in apartment buildings. Further, in descending order, one can note such material as metal-plastic, etc. polymer pipes, steel pipes, copper and stainless steel pipes.
In America, the situation is different, modern water supply and sewerage systems are basically made of PVC pipes. The connections of the fittings with the pipeline are mounted on special glue, and not welded with special devices (iron, soldering iron) like polypropylene. Maxim told us about this, in my article - an interview about how he works plumber in the USA.
This method of installing the pipeline in the American way caused a lot of controversy in the comments among the readers. Some readers called this technology flawed, while others spoke flatteringly about it. But they did not come to a consensus about which pipeline is better. Therefore, I decided to carry out work and collect information, so why exactly adhesive joints and PVC pipes took root in the USA, and in Russia they fell in love with polypropylene.
By the way, PVC pipes for water supply differ in properties from simple PVC, namely, it is additionally "processed" with chlorine (what a horror) and is called CPVC, chloride polyvinyl chloride:
Physical properties
CPVC shares most of the characteristics and properties of PVC, but also has some key differences. CPVC is easy to process, including machining, welding and forming. Because of its superior corrosion resistance at elevated temperatures, CPVC is ideal for self-supporting structures where temperatures up to 200 ° F (93 ° C) are present. The ability to bend, shape and weld CPVC allows it to be used in a wide variety of processes and applications. Possesses fire retardant properties.
https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Хлорированный_поливинилхлорид
Note that ordinary PVC is recommended to be used at temperatures no higher than 55 ° C, and modified CPVC already tolerates temperatures up to 95 ° C, like polypropylene.
I will subjectively begin to gain points for each material and at the end I will sum up the confrontation
Polypropylene or CVPH?
Corrosion resistant
Both materials actively resist external influences on the surface of the walls. Contamination is deposited in these pipelines to a minimum. Therefore, in this regard, they have a draw.
Average service life
CPVC and PPR are more than 50 years old, there is not much difference between them.
Emission of harmful substances
Although it is a common misconception that the CPVC adhesive bond will release harmful substances into the system throughout the entire period operation, but in fact that a polypropylene pipeline, that a PVC pipeline does not emit harmful substances into the portable liquid. Draw.
Ease of installation
To install a polypropylene pipeline, you will need a relatively massive soldering iron, which heats up the junction, which is critical when working in confined spaces. There is a risk of overheating the joints and narrowing the cross-section of the pipeline. Minus.
For the installation of CPVC, we only need special glue. The fitting and the pipe are coated and connected within 5 seconds, thereby the glue enters into a chemical reaction with the plastic and welds the joint. This method is convenient in that at the installation site, no electricity is required for the welder; in narrow places it is easier to apply glue than to shove in a soldering iron. And for absolutely amateurs, you can simply assemble the entire pipeline without glue, see how it looks and then glue the system. This will not work with polypropylene. It is important that the adhesive connection with CPVC fittings, it is impossible to narrow the cross-section of the pipeline. Bold Plus
Harmful installation
For the installation of CPVC, glue is used, with a rather strong odor, respectively, and harmful substances from the glue can be inhaled. When welding polypropylene, there may also be smoky emissions in the form of burnt PPR on the soldering iron nozzles. Due to the wrong mode or damaged attachments. I think that both methods of connecting pipes will not add health to the installers. Minuses.
Defrosting the water supply system
A polypropylene pipe, a quality manufacturer in the first years of operation, easily withstands freezing of water inside itself. CPVC will not withstand defrosting, it will burst. Bold plus polypropylene!
Strength
If you take a polypropylene pipe and fold it in two, it will break, but the two pieces of pipe will be joined at the break. If you try to break the CPVC pipe, it will crack. There will be no pipe integrity. PPR "Well done"
Outcome
The advantage of HVPH pipes and fittings is the ease of installation and the absence of narrowing at the joints. Polypropylene same "Frost-resistant" "Durable" that in the conditions of Russian slovenliness, in some areas of housing and communal services play the most important role. It is difficult to freeze and break them, but our valiant workers are constantly trying to do it.
Friends, now it is clear why this bourgeois pipe has not taken root in Russia. She will not stand our realities!
Video from the American plumber Maxim, with the installation of the HVPH pipe here
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