Why do you not quote the internal diameter (bore) of the pvc pipe and abs pipe?

Almost all plastic pipes are extruded in the same way as pvc pipe and abs pipe. The outside diameter of the pipe is the controlled measurement as this is what is used to fit into pipe sockets. The internal diameter of all such pipe types will vary a little – depending on the pressure rating and size of the pipe – but enough to warrant the internal diameter of the pipe to not be stated. We can advise on the likely internal diameter of a pipe, but we cannot guarantee it. Also different pressure ratings require different wall thicknesses of pipe and as the external diameter is the controlled diameter of the pipe, the internal bore varies with the wall thickness.

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How smooth is the inside of a rigid pvc pipe and abs pipe?

The inside of a pvc pipe and abs pipe is nearly as smooth as the outside – note above internal diameter information – there is sometimes a slight, almost indiscernible change in the pipe wall thickness – this goes for ALL manufacturers of PVC pipe.

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What are the temperature ratings of pvc pipe and abs pipe?

The recommended temperature ratings of pvc pipe and abs pipe are as per the tables below. The pressure rating of the pipe will reduce as temperature increases and all pressure ratings quoted for pvc pipe and abs pipe in literature are those at 20 degrees centigrade. PVC pipe has a recommended operating range of 0-60^oC, whereas ABS wil operate as low as -40^oC and up to 80^oC. The table below (Table 1) gives pressure de-rating values for pvc pipe and abs pipe at different temperatures.

Table 1 – Affects of temperature on working pressure of pvc pipe

Example – If using 7 bar rated pvc pipe at 30 degrees centigrade the working pressure = 7 x 0.8 = 5.6 bar  

Table 2 – Affects of temperature on working pressure of abs pipe

Example – If using 7 bar rated pvc pipe at 30 degrees centigrade the working pressure = 7 x 0.85 = 5.95 bar

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How often does my pvc pipe and abs pipe need supporting?

This is a common mistake made when installing pvc pipe and abs pipe. Insufficient support will cause the pipe to sag and may reduce the working pressure or, under extreme circumstances, cause excess strain on joints and affect the integrity of the pipe system. The table below gives pipe support distances for different sizes of pipe.

Table 3 – Recommended pipe support distances for pvc pipe and abs pipe

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How do I join the pvc pipe and abs pipe together?

PVC pipe and abs pipe are joined by a solvent weld process. After cutting the pipe a chamfer is put on the end. This is ideally between 20 and 40 degrees and is done not to enable the pipe to go in the socket better, but to act as a route for the cement to be squeezed in between the pipe and socket. Failure to do this can result in all the cement being pushed along the pvc pipe and abs pipe when assembling and a consequent weak or leaking joint. First the pvc pipe and socket are cleaned using a solvent cleaner – this also acts as a keying / etching process. Secondly the pipe and socket are lightly roughed up using a piece of emery cloth. Solvent pvc cement is applied to the socket first (this is important as if applied to the pipe first, the glue will get dirty when the pipe is laid down to glue the socket) and after ensuring no cement has run down into other parts of the socket, the socket is laid down in a position where the glue cannot run into unwanted parts. Then, solvent cement is added to the pvc pipe in a motion towards the end of the pipe rather than being brushed around it, ensuring the chamfered end of the pvc pipe, has sufficient cement on it and that the cement is as far along the pipe as the depth of the socket. The two parts are pushed quickly together – do not twist the pvc pipe at this stage as it can cause leaks. The joint should be held in place for 30 seconds (1 minute for larger pipe sizes) and left still for 5-10 minutes before handling.

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What happens if I make a mistake cementing my pvc pipe and abs pipe?

The solvent cement jointing process is fast curing and irreversible. PVC pipe is slightly slower to cure than ABS pipe You have seconds to pull the pipe and socket apart if you make a mistake. For this reason all joints should be marked for position etc. before cleaning and gluing. If the parts are to be pushed together dry first, ensure that they have not been cleaned as they my weld together - this is particularly the case with abs pipe. If you are able to pull them apart, immediately clean both parts with solvent cleaner and remove all traces of cement.

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What Colours is pvc pipe and abs pipe available in?

The standard colour for pvc pipe is mid to dark grey, however it is also available, in some pressure ratings in white and clear. The clear pvc pipe has a much more limited range of fittings.   ABS pipe is usually only available in mid to light grey.

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What do the pressure ratings and classes of pvc pipe and ABS pipe mean?

The different classes refer to different pressure ratings – There are several groups of pvc pipe and abs pipe classification, the most typical being the American ASTM D 1785  “Schedule” and BS 3505/6 “Class” systems (such as class C or class E) and the Metric DIN 8062 or KIWA 49 / UNE 53.112 “PN” systems (such as PN10 or PN16) . The tables below give information for such systems. Note that with the “Class” system, the pressure rating of every pipe size is the same within that class, but with the “Schedule” system the pressure ratings change. This gets even more confusing for the metric pipe as both the DN and KIWA pipe are rated at the same pressure (i.e. 10 bar for PN10), but the DN rating has a greater wall thickness. The most common classifications used are Schedule 40, Class C and PN10. We are also able to supply other classifications such as ASTM D 2241 “SDR”.

Table 4 - Imperial PVC pipe pressure ratings

*Note O.D. = Outside diameter,  W.P. = Working pressure

Table 5 - Metric PVC pipe pressure ratings

*Note O.D. = Outside diameter,  W.P. = Working pressure

Table 6 - Imperial ABS pipe pressure ratings

*Note O.D. = Outside diameter,  W.P. = Working pressure

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How much solvent cement and cleaner do I need for my pvc pipe and abs pipe system?

The number of pvc pipe and abs pipe joints you can make per litre of solvent cement are set out below in table 3. You will need approximately half as much cleaner.

Table 7 – Joints per litre of cement for pvc pipe and abs pipe

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There are different types of plastic pipe – why should I use pvc pipe or abs pipe?

PVC pipe is a good, general purpose pressure pipe. It has the following properties:

·         Non-toxic and taint free

·         Good resistance to abrasion

·         Can be used above or below ground

·         Is resistant to many inorganic chemicals and most acids, alkalis and salts – note however that it is not resistant to aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons.

·         Comes with the widest range of fittings of any plastic pipe type

·         Requires no special tools for installation

Applications include – Industrial (liquids, air and gasses), aquatics, swimming pool, aquaculture, agriculture  

ABS pipe has much the same properties as pvc and has a higher impact strength, especially at low temperatures. See our comparison table for more information

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Does your pvc pipe and abs pipe meet all the various standards etc.?

Yes, our pvc pipes and abs pipes and systems are to the following standards:

            Pipe ( Imperial)                        BS3505/6, ASTM D 1785, ASTM D 2241

            Fittings (Imperial)                   BS 4346 part 1, ASTM D 2467, ASTM D 2466

            Pipe (metric)                        DIN 8061/2, KIWA 49

Fittings ( metric)                 DIN 8063

Threaded fittings            BS21/DIN2199/ISO727, ASTM D 2464

WRAS approved for use in contact with cold potable water with the exception of our BASELINE range.

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Plastic properties

We hope this section on pipe properties has been useful - if you have any other queries please do not hesitate to contact our knowledgeable sales staff, most of whom are ex-pipefitters themselves, on 0800 756 7743