Fusible PVC® Pipe Material Properties
Fusible C-900®, Fusible C-905® and FPVC® pipes use starting stock extruded from 100% virgin polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin that has been compounded to provide physical and chemical properties that equal or exceed cell class 12454 as defined in ASTM D1784.
PVC pressure pipe, with a design life in excess of 100 years, is known for its strength to weight ratio, corrosion resistance, chemical resistance, flexibility, long-term tensile strength, abrasion/wear resistance, impact strength, coefficient of friction and favorable cost.
HDPE vs. Ductile Iron vs. PVC. PVC has the ability to withstand loading or movement caused by poorly compacted soils. Fusible C-900®, Fusible C-905® and FPVC® are unique because they use fused joints. They will flex and move with soil subsidence to a degree 4 times greater than the movement that ductile iron joints can deliver. Corrosion resistance research done on the permeation of organics from the surrounding soil into all types of water line materials has yielded results that indicate that the weakest link in any system regardless of its material of construction is the gaskets at the joints. Fusible C-900®, Fusible C-905® and FPVC® are unique in that they eliminate nearly all of the gaskets in a system. Further results indicate that no significant permeation occurs with:
- Alcohols, aliphatic hydrocarbons and organic acids
- Benzene or alkylated benzenes with activity less than 0.25 (toluene, for example, has a concentration of 125ppm at an 0.25 activity level)
- Anilines, chlorinated hydrocarbons, ketones, and nitrobenzenes with an activity level of 0.1
The research also indicated that polyethylene (PE) material is much more permeable than PVC. Fusible C-900®, Fusible C-905® and FPVC® corrosion resistivity properties are the same as PVC. PVC pipe is an effective barrier against permeation of environmental pollutants except in the case of a gross spill or leak in the immediate area of the pipe involving a strong swelling solvent. It is also important to note that PVC is a non-conductor of electricity, and therefore, is not subject to electromechanical and galvanic corrosion by salts, acids, and alkalis that frequently attack metals in underground applications. This property makes coating or lining of PVC unnecessary.
- Meets ASTM cell classification 12454.
- Extruded presently in 40' and 45' lengths. Custom lengths can be provided upon request.
- Extruded with a unique patent pending formulation that meets all requirements of PPI TR-2 "PPI PVC Range Composition Listing of Qualified Ingredients".
- Available in DIPS and IPS sizes.
- Has excellent abrasion and scratch-resistant properties.
- To date, the longest continuous fused pull-in is 7,020 LF for an HDD application in Port St. Lucie, FL.
The following table shows values for PVC across a range of temperatures from 80° F (27° C) and 140° F (60° C). The pressure rating for a pipe material at a given temperature is obtained by multiplying the pressure rating or class by the de-rating factor.
| Maximum Service Temp. (°F) | De-Rating Factor |
|---|---|
| 80° | 0.88 |
| 90° | 0.75 |
| 100° | 0.62 |
| 110° | 0.50 |
| 120° | 0.40 |
| 130° | 0.30 |
| 140° | 0.22 |
Research done on the permeation of organics from the surrounding soil into all types of water line materials has yielded results that indicate that the weakest link in any system regardless of its material of construction is the gaskets at the joints. Fusible C-900®, Fusible C-905® and FPVC® are unique in that they eliminate gaskets in a system where they are deployed because joints in our products are fused. Further results indicate that no significant permeation occurs with:
- Alcohols, aliphatic hydrocarbons and organic acids.
- Benzene or alkylated benzenes with activity less than 0.25 (toluene, for example, has a concentration of 125ppm at an 0.25 activity level).
- Anilines, chlorinated hydrocarbons, ketones, and nitrobenzenes with an activity level of 0.1.
The research also indicated that PE material is much more permeable than PVC. Fusible C-900®, Fusible C-905® and FPVC® corrosion resistivity properties are the same as PVC.
For more information about the corrosion resistance of PVC please refer to the Uni-Bell Website. To check for chemical compatibility you can refer to the chart provided by Vinidex Chemical with data from the Uni-bell Handbook of PVC or check on Cole-Parmers Compatibility Chart Website.AWWA Research Foundation - Impact of Hydrocarbon on PE/PVC Pipes and Pipe Gaskets
The study characterized the impact of petroleum based solvents on multiple plastics employed as pipe and gasket material in the water pipeline industry.
- PVC resists permeation from gasoline while PE does not. This is based on a two year duration test
- Ungasketed PVC completely resists gasoline while gasketed PVC permeates through the gasket
- Water main internal pressure has no effect on the rate of permeation through a gasket
- PE and PVC both permeate with toluene, benzene, and TCE. PVC reaches a low steady state and remains there while PE permeation increases
- Deflection and alignment greatly affect the amount of DI gasket permeation.
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