Example of PVC Pipe Use
First implemented in the 1920s, PVC is now heavily used within water delivery pipes, venting and duckwork for structures, appliances and equipment, plumbing conveyance of sewage and wastes, chemical fluid transfer, in construction engineering as well as an array of individual, unique items and consumer products. When used in applications, PVC is considered non-toxic and relatively inert when manufactured free of specific, potentially harmful additives to the base resin material, such as lead. The most common form of PVC is unplasticized PVC (uPVC) and is the type of PVC used to fabricate rigid materials such as pipes, sheets and structural equipment. The other common PVC type is plasticized PVC where, as the name indicates, has had plasticizing agents added to the resin that increase the material`s flexibility. Plasticized PVC is often used to produce flexible tubing, apparel wear and PVC hoses.
Most often whenever the PVC acronym is mentioned, the use of uPVC as the material type is implicated and understood less otherwise stated. Unplasticized PVC is acceptable for ANSI and NSF 61 certification for its use in handling potable, drinkable water. Other common PVC use design certifications include ASTM D1785, D2241, D2729, D3034 and AWWA C900/909. These various design approvals and manufacturing standards for polyvinyl chloride approve the polymer for its use within the many modern application scenarios that PVC is now commonly used within.
