Cost Savings And More With Plastic Pipes
There is little refuting the fact that plastic pipework is truly taking over at the moment. More and more companies are turning to plastic pipes because of the huge benefits associated with choosing plastic pipes over metal. Read on to find out more.
Assessing the current market
The growth in the industry is evident and non-surprising. However, what is interesting is the way in which the market is structured. You essentially have two categories of pipe. There is the pressure pipe for plumbing, utilities and industrial use. There is then the gravity pipe which is used for building and civil engineering. This is the largest sector of the two.
Sewage and draining is the most common application for plastic pipes, in fact it boasts over 50 per cent of the market share. After this, the most common applications are in the following order; gas, drinking water, industrial pumps and pipes, agriculture, conduit pipes and underfloor heating.
As mentioned, over half of the market use for plastic pipework is in relation to sewage. Nevertheless, it is interesting that in industrialised countries only 11 per cent of the sewage pipes used are plastic. A massive 89 per cent are actually still made from concrete and stoneware.
Evidently there are various different types of plastic available nowadays. PVC has long been a popular option, however over the past few years we have seen many reports stating that a lot of companies and individuals are moving away from PVC. Nevertheless, it still holds a market share of 80 per cent. Pipes made from this material also boast an average GDP rate of growth.
What is interesting is the worldwide use of high density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes. These are typically used for drinking water yet can also be found in sewage systems, gas supply lines and district heating. They are known for their strength, robustness, and resistance to corrosion, micro-organisms and chemicals.
When you take these qualities into account it is of little surprise that the global market for HDPE pipes has grown by 10 per cent over the last ten years. The main growth has been in Asia where an increase of 21.9 per cent was reported over the last decade. Double percentage figures were also reported in the Middle East and South Africa. However, one country which really hasn’t caught on is Japan. They only reported an increase of 1.9 per cent – extremely low when compared with all other locations.
A final point worth noting is that there are definite inroads being made in relation to multilayer pipes (MP) based on an alu-midlayer. This innovative layer acts as a barrier in order to present one hundred per cent diffusion tightness. Larger distances between fixes and reduce length of pipe are also qualities of this feature.
Why should you choose plastic pipes over metal pipework systems?
When it comes to choosing a pipework system there are a lot of different factors you need to take into account. Not only do you need a system which is cost effective and efficient, but you have to choose the material of the pipes with care. Many would argue that this is your most important decision because it impacts everything else – from the cost to the lifespan of your pipework. The two main choices you have at your disposal are metal and plastic. Bearing that in mind, read on to discover why you should opt for plastic pipes instead of the metal pipework systems.
Cost savings
There is only one place to begin and this is with the massive cost savings you can expect to make if you go for plastic pipes. There are many different reasons why plastic is cheaper. Firstly, it costs less to produce. Nonetheless, you also save when it comes to the installation of the pipes and the life cycle costs as well. In relation to installation, you need to consider the fact that plastic is lightweight and therefore it is a lot easier to deal with. Moreover, as you will soon discover, plastic boasts an extremely long life span. Because of this you are going to save when it comes to costs relating to repairs and replacement. On the whole, this is a much cheaper system. Nevertheless, what plastic systems lack in cost they certainly do not lack in quality.
Flexibility
In addition to the cost savings you will make, another benefit is the fact that plastic is extremely flexible. Plastic pipework systems can be used for a wealth of different applications. From agricultural irrigation systems, to drinking systems, to chemical systems; the list truly is endless. The benefits of a plastic pipework system can be felt by all.
Resistance to corrosion and chemicals
One of the main reasons why plastic is better than metal is because it is resistant to corrosion and chemicals. Metal is a material that is assured to rust and corrode over time. This is going to result in leaks which will then result in costly repairs and a lot of hassle on your part. This can be extremely detrimental in drinking water systems because traces of metal will end up in the water. However, if you opt for a plastic pipework system you do not have to worry about any of this. Plastic is resistant to it all and because of this you are going to benefit from a system that will last you a lot longer and cost you a lot less as well.
Environmental benefits
Last but not least we end on a point that is close to the hearts of many companies in the current day and age; the environment. It is imperative to act as green as possible nowadays. Businesses have a duty to uphold this responsibility. Plastic pipes are the more environmentally friendly option for a wealth of different reasons. They act as a great insulator when it comes to heat loss in hot water supplies. They also have a low thermal conductivity. This means that, when compared with metal, they do not conduct heat as easily. All in all, plastic pipework systems reduce the user’s need to use as much energy. This saves the user money and helps to make the planet a better place.
How to choose the best plastic pipes for your needs specifically
A lot of homeowners and business owners select plastic as their material of choice when it comes to pipework nowadays. There are several reasons why this is the case. One of the main reasons is the fact that plastic pipes are much cheaper in comparison to other materials, such as metal. Nevertheless, despite their low cost, they boast a higher level of performance. You need not worry about the corrosion associated with metal pipework and plastic is a lot more environmentally friendly as well.
However, there is a wealth of different types of plastic pipes available and thus you require the necessary information to ensure you select the right type based on your requirements. This includes taking into account the likes of size, temperature, pressure and thickness. A lot of people think it is as easy as selecting a brand. Yet this is not the case. Take Durapipe for example. This is an extremely popular manufacturer of plastic pipework systems, however they cater to a wealth of different functions.
The first thing you need to take into account is the application of the pipework system. There are various different types of plastic and thus some are better suited to certain functions than others. For example, PB and PE pipes are best suited to waste and drain applications. You will also find that they are common place when transporting corrosive and gaseous materials. In addition to this, CPVC is primarily utilised for water transportation. You then of course have PVC which is utilised in applications of non-pressure, such as waste and drain piping.
In addition to this, you also need to make sure you select the right size pipes. Nominal pipe size (NPS) is used to determine the size. This refers to the inner diameter of the pipe. When it comes to the outer diameter you will find that this can be a lot bigger as it is dependent on the pipe wall’s thickness. Aside from size, another important ‘S’ to bear in mind is strength. Do the plastic pipes you are considering have the required strength to withstand any potential damage, such as cracks? If you need pipework that is extremely strong you should opt for PE / PB pipes. They boast a rating that is higher than 10. This is significant when you consider the fact that PVC’s impact strength is 1.0.
Last but not least, temperature is extremely significant when choosing the right plastic pipes for your system. You need to ensure the plastic is appropriate for whatever is going to be passing through. If the materials in question range from 120 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit in temperature you should opt for PVC. CPBC is recommended for any temperatures below 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Finally, for high temperature materials, such as those ranging from 200 to 210 degrees Fahrenheit it is recommended that you opt for PE and PB plastic pipes.
If you take all of these points into consideration you are assured to be able to find the suitable plastic pipes for your application specifically. This is a decision that needs to be made with care. The last thing you want to do is have to embark on an immediate replacement.
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