PVC (polyvinyl chloride) water pipe is a common pipe material. It is widely used in residential, commercial and industrial water pipe systems because of its high cost-effectiveness, durability, lightness and easy installation. According to different uses and performance requirements, PVC plumbing pipe can be divided into multiple types, each with its own unique characteristics and scope of application. The following will introduce common PVC plumbing pipe types and their specific applications.
PVC-U pipe (ordinary rigid polyvinyl chloride pipe)
PVC-U pipe is the most common type of PVC water pipe. U stands for “Unplasticized”, which means rigid PVC without plasticizer. Due to the absence of plasticizers, PVC-U pipes show high rigidity and strength, as well as good chemical resistance and corrosion resistance.
Features:
High strength: can withstand a certain external pressure and is not easy to deform.
Chemical resistance: resistant to acid, alkali and salt corrosion, suitable for conveying chemical media.
No plasticizer: non-toxic and harmless, suitable for drinking water pipes.
Lightweight and easy to install: light weight and easy construction.
Applications:
Drinking water supply system
Sewage discharge system
Agricultural irrigation system
Chemical fluid transportation

PVC-C pipe (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride pipe)
PVC-C pipe is a high-temperature resistant PVC pipe made by chlorination modification of PVC. Its chemical properties are more stable than ordinary PVC and can be used at higher temperatures.
Features:
High temperature resistance: The maximum working temperature can reach 90°C, which is more suitable for hot water systems than PVC-U.
Strong flame retardancy: Good self-extinguishing properties, and it is not easy to spread when a fire occurs.
Strong corrosion resistance: It has higher resistance to chemicals such as acid, alkali, and chlorine.
Applications:
Hot water supply pipeline
Chemical medium delivery pipeline
Fire sprinkler system
PVC-O pipe (oriented polyvinyl chloride pipe)
PVC-O pipe is a modified PVC pipe made through a special processing technology (molecular orientation technology). Its molecular structure is more ordered and its performance is significantly improved.
Features:
High impact resistance: Able to resist external impact and suitable for high pressure environment.
Lightweight and high strength: Lighter in weight and higher in strength than PVC-U.
Small water flow resistance: The inner wall of the tube is smooth, which reduces water flow resistance and improves transportation efficiency.
application:
High-pressure water supply network
Agricultural irrigation
Urban infrastructure water supply

PVC Drainage Pipes
PVC drain pipe is designed for drainage system. It is usually non-pressure pipe with thin wall thickness, but it can effectively meet the discharge needs of domestic wastewater and rainwater.
Features:
Good economy: low manufacturing cost, suitable for large-scale application.
Corrosion resistance: can resist the chemical components in domestic wastewater.
Easy to connect: glue bonding or plug-in method, easy to install.
Application:
Indoor and outdoor drainage system
Rainwater pipe
Chemical wastewater discharge system
PVC wire pipe
PVC wire pipe is used for the protection of wires and cables, mainly for protection and insulation.
Features:
Good insulation: prevent short circuit or leakage of wires.
Flame retardant: improve the safety of power system.
Corrosion resistance: extend the service life of the pipe.
Application:
Indoor wiring
Communication cable protection
Industrial electrical system

PVC corrugated pipe
PVC corrugated pipe is a flexible pipe with a corrugated surface, mainly used for drainage or cable protection.
Features:
Strong flexibility: suitable for occasions that require bending.
Excellent pressure resistance: The corrugated design enhances the pressure resistance.
Light weight: easy to transport and install.
Applications:
Underground drainage pipes
Communication cable protection
Engineering sewage pipes
PVC transparent pipe
PVC transparent pipe is a special-purpose PVC pipe with a transparent wall, which can clearly observe the flow of liquid in the pipe.
Features:
Transparency: suitable for occasions where fluid needs to be monitored intuitively.
Softness: easy to operate and install.
Chemical stability: resistant to a variety of chemical reagents.
Applications:
Medical equipment pipelines
Laboratory fluid transportation
Food processing pipelines

Selection and installation of PVC water pipes
When selecting PVC water pipes, the specific type should be determined according to actual needs. For example, non-toxic and corrosion-resistant PVC-U pipes are recommended for drinking water pipes; high-temperature resistant PVC-C pipes should be selected for hot water pipes; PVC-O pipes are a better choice for high-pressure water supply projects.
When installing PVC water pipes, the following points should be noted:
Pipe connection: Select a suitable connection method according to the type of pipe, such as glue bonding, threaded connection or hot melt welding.
Pipe support: To prevent the pipe from deforming due to thermal expansion and contraction, a reasonable support point needs to be set.
Avoid exposure to the sun: PVC materials may age when exposed to the sun for a long time. It is recommended to apply a sunscreen coating or use a protective cover on the exposed parts.
PVC water pipes have become an important part of modern pipeline systems because of their variety and wide range of uses. By understanding the characteristics and applications of different types of PVC water pipes, it is possible to better select suitable pipes according to specific needs, thereby improving the performance and life of the pipeline system. In the future, with the development of technology, the performance of PVC water pipes will be further improved, and the application scenarios will be more extensive.