As thermoplastic polymers go, PVC or polyvinyl chloride must be one of the most widely used all around the world. A wide variety of industries use PVC due to its durability and affordability. Nowhere is this truer than in the construction industry where PVC pipe and fittings are extensively used for plumbing systems in the building of new homes. The development of PVC has been somewhat chequered and the popularity we see today has taken a long time to come into fruition. The first PVC was developed by the B.F Goodrich Company around ninety years ago. The work of this company however had limitations, PVC at the time was not as versatile as it is now, and originally the material was regarded as being brittle and unworkable.
Thanks to the work of B.F Goodrich however the PVC pipe and fittings we see today came that little bit closer to existence. After combining plasticizing agents with the original material its uses became far more diverse. This combination of plastics and vinyl meant that this modern PVC was malleable and could be adapted to a variety of different purposes. In addition to malleability however, it was the long lasting nature and strength which led to the construction industry realising the benefits of this wonder material. Unlike copper and other metals, PVC pipe and its fittings will never rot, rust is not a problem and hence, after installation costs, maintenance costs are largely non-existent.
Even after the combination of plasticizing agents PVC did not become widely used for at least another decade. Many industries found it hard to find suitable applications for this material, despite its obvious qualities. The first uses for the material could not be further removed from the construction industry. Early tyre manufacturers started using PVC for the tread on tyres as they would last longer.
These early forays were soon abandoned for rubber however after vulcanisation had created a far more useful tyre material. The mid-century saw the first PVC pipe being developed. This was because a new machine allowed the PVC to be stretched into cylindrical pipes that were uniform and hence perfect for construction. This specialist piece of machinery made PVC pipe and fittings what they are today, the material of choice for building purposes. Thanks to its durability and low absorption properties, it was found to be perfect in piping systems.
This low absorption is due to the smooth surface of the material; thanks to this property the uses for carrying water were quickly realised. A smooth surface means the chances of bacterial contamination are reduced as they have nothing to cling onto. Water companies soon saw this as a major benefit over the existing materials such as copper.
As previously stated PVC pipe and fittings are extremely hardwearing and durable. This resistance of stress and tension has made them the piping material of choice in areas where earthquakes are a regular occurrence. Metal piping is easily ruptured in an earthquake meaning that water needed to fight fires and re-hydrate people is cut off. PVC however can resist the tensions of a quake and hence is a more popular and safer choice.
PVC pipe does have a weakness however, despite its strength if it is left out in the sun the material tends to warp and sag, making fittings and pipes completely unusable. In addition, when used to carry high pressure gas ruptures can occur.
Even with these problems PVC pipe remains one of the most widely use thermoplastic polymers in the world. Without the pipe and fittings made from PVC the construction industry would not be able to work as fast and maintenance costs of water systems would be astronomical. Ultimately PVC has been a vital building block in the creation of the modern world.
PVC or Polyvinyl Chloride must be one of the most widely used thermoplastic polymers in the world. In all manner of industries it is used for its high levels of durability and of course the price. It is in construction where PVC pipes and pipe fittings are used most extensively for the creation of plumbing systems. PVC however, despite being with us for almost a century has only been available in its current guise for around half that time. The original PVC was first developed by the B.F. Goodrich Company, this work however was extremely limited, PVC at this stage was a brittle and unworkable material, nothing like the malleable and versatile material we use today.
B.F Goodrich however was instrumental in introducing PVC to the world. His work combined plasticizing agents with vinyl making a new, usable material. It was through the combination of plastic and vinyl that a large number of uses grew for this wonder material. It was not just its versatility however, due to its strength and durability, the construction industry jumped on PVC as the material of choice for modern water and drainage systems. In the past copper had been used for plumbing, this however was expensive and prone to rupture and as such was ripe for replacement by a more modern and more affordable material; PVC filled this gap perfectly.
However, even after this original work by Goodrich, the material was not used for pipe and pipe fittings due to restrictions in manufacturing processes. The first uses for the material were strangely realised by the motoring rather than the construction industry. PVC was used for the tread on tyres for many years as it lasted a great deal of time, although the grip created was not fantastic. Tyre manufacture however was revolutionised by the vulcanisation process and rubber eventually became the material of choice in the motoring industry.
At this time however a new manufacturing process allowed PVC to be formed into pipe and pipe fittings. This new process involved stretching the polyvinyl chloride into long cylindrical tubes and hence the pipe, and later pipe fittings were born. The chemical properties of the material, its high resistance to water and chemicals as well as its long term durability were soon realised and it was from this point onwards that the construction industry adopted it as the material of choice in the sphere of plumbing and drainage.
The low absorption properties are a result of the smooth surface of plastic pipe and pipe fittings. This is perfect for water conveyance as with such a smooth surface it is extremely difficult for bacteria to latch onto the sides of the pipe. Additionally the strength of the material is also a major benefit over materials such as copper. PVC is strong yet flexible meaning that even in earthquakes it can withstand movement and will not be prone to rupture as easily as metals. Despite these strengths there is one weakness to PVC pipe and pipe fittings, they should not be left out in the sun as direct heat tends to warp them as does storing them on uneven surfaces. Once installed however these problems are effectively negated.
Even with these minor problems PVC pipe and pipe fittings are used today in the construction industry all over the world. It is down to the work of B.F. Goodrich that we have this wonder material that allows for complex and hard wearing plumbing systems to be constructed. We may not see the array of pipes and fittings everyday, but they are an important element in the modern world.
Thomas Pretty has sinced written about articles on various topics from Formula One, Debts Loans and Interior Design. Industry expert Thomas Pretty looks into the development of and how they have become widely used in construction.. Thomas Pretty's top article generates over 1500000 views. to your Favourites.