What is PVC? What are the common types of PVC pipes? I often see questions like these asked by users on tallkk99. Many people are unfamiliar with these questions. So, what exactly is PVC? How are common PVC pipes classified?
What is PVC?
PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is one of the world's most produced plastics. It's inexpensive and widely used. PVC boasts lightweight, thermal insulation, moisture retention, moisture resistance, flame retardancy, and ease of installation. Available in a wide variety of sizes, colors, and patterns, it offers a highly decorative effect. Examples include PVC water pipes, PVC plastic doors and windows, and even plastic toys containing PVC.
What is PVC pipe?
It is made by extruding polyvinyl chloride resin with stabilizers and lubricants using a hot press method. It was one of the earliest plastic pipes developed and applied.
PVC pipes are divided into PVC-U pipes and UPVc. PVC-U pipes are mainly used for building drainage. They are light and durable, beautiful in color, bright and smooth, and have a long service life. Upvc pipes have poor frost and heat resistance but good anti-drying performance, strong corrosion resistance, high mechanical strength, and are hygienic and non-toxic. They are suitable for wire pipes and sewage pipes.
PVC Pipe Classification
PVC can be divided into soft PVC and hard PVC. Hard PVC accounts for approximately two-thirds of the market, while soft PVC accounts for one-third. Soft PVC is generally used for flooring, ceilings, and leather surfaces. However, because soft PVC contains plasticizers (which distinguishes it from hard PVC), its physical properties are poor (for example, water pipes must withstand certain water pressures, making soft PVC unsuitable). This limits its application. Hard PVC does not contain plasticizers, making it easy to form and possessing excellent physical properties, making it highly valuable for development and application. The production process of PVC materials inevitably involves the addition of several additives, such as stabilizers and plasticizers. If all environmentally friendly additives are used, PVC pipes can be non-toxic, odorless, and environmentally friendly.