Technical FAQs
PVC pipe works great for conveying water and sewage. PVC pipe may be exposed to various chemicals via direct contact with soil contamination or via chemicals in the fluids inside the pipe. The concentration of the chemical is important when considering chemical resistance.
- For a list of chemicals to which PVC Pipe is resistant refer to the table in Plastics Pipe Institute's Technical Report: TR-19 Chemical Resistance of Thermoplastics Piping Materials.
- For general Chemical resistivity of typical gasket material used with PVC pipe see the chart below:
General Resistivity of Typical Gasket Materials
| Common Name | Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR) & IR (Isporene Rubber)/SBR Blend | Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) | Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) Rubber |
|---|---|---|---|
|
General Properties |
Resistance to water absorption. Excellent elongation. Standard material used for all products. |
Resistant to Petroleum-based fluids. Good mechanical performance. |
Resistant against Ozone, aging, and most chemicals. Poor resistance to mineral and petroleum-based fluids. |
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Resistant To |
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Attacked By |
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*Note: Westlake Pipe & Fittings does not offer Neoprene gaskets as of 12/2019
There is also a detailed Chemical Resistivity chart available in Chapter 3 of the Handbook of PVC Pipe Design and Construction by Uni-Bell. Three chapters are available for free download.
General PVC
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PVC Pipe Design
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PVC Pipe Installation and Testing
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PVC Pipe Gasket
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Certa-Lok® Joint
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General PVCO
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LEED
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