The Pipe Materials Technology

The pipe material technology varies mainly on the purpose and application of the system. Pipes are made from several different materials and are based on the properties of the media it will carry. Though homes need several types of pipes, the industrial use of pipes demands a more rigid, durable and practically resistant to high temperature, pressure and chemical reactions.

Basically, pressure is used to channel potable water to end users. So for this purpose, a pipe with high pressure rating which is typically greater than 150 psi is used. To promote good flow of water, pipes for this purpose are desirably with smooth interior.

Since there are several pipes with these qualities, potable water distribution commonly use PVC pipes, ductile iron pipes and HDPE pipes. In larger diameter applications, precast concrete pressure pipes or PCPP are already used. But some engineers even find the use of spiral welded steel pipes a more practical way to apply.

This pipe materials technology is now designing pipe systems for a specific project.  Civil engineers carefully review all of the practical options available before making a selection which will then be incorporated into their design.

Aside from clean water channeling, another wide use for pipes is for sanitary sewer collection and waste water transporting. There are two methods that are typically used in collecting waste water. Waste water is collected by gravity flow or pressure flow.

Gravity flow is a more economical method of channeling waste water if the grade of the land is suitable for installation. A construction project can be designed using gravity flow for waste water channeling away from the structure. The use of a costly pump station to provide pressure can be avoided.

Gravity flow has low pressures since it depends on gravity to transport waste water. Therefore, thinner walled pipe materials can be applied for this use.  Pipe materials technology also consider other factors in a sewer system.  Noting that corrosive gasses also exist in a sewer system, the pipe must have the corrosion resistant quality. The typical pipes for a gravity sewer system are thin walled PVC pipe like SDR 35 PVC, HDPE pipe, ductile iron pipe with corrosion resistant interior coating and Vitrified Clay Pipe or VCP.

The pressurized waste-water pipe which is popularly known as a force main has substantially the same characteristics as a potable water main. Because of its similarity to clean water pipes, color coded pipes are used accordingly. The only exception to color coding is the metal pipes. The metal pipes have the corrosion resistant interior coating to resist caustic sewer gases.
This article is design to help the reader understand the qualities and technology pipes to meet engineering needs appropriate applications.
The various types of pipes available in the market today;

PVC Pipe
Stainless Steel Pipe
Steel Pipe
HDPE Pipe
Ductile Iron Pipe or DIP
Copper Pipe
Copper Tubing
Galvanized Pipe
Aluminum Pipe
Concrete Pipe
Asbestos Cement Pipe
CPVC Pipe
PEX Pipe
Vitrified Clay Pipe or VCP
Transite Pipe
Iron Pipe
Fiberglass Pipe
Brass Pipe
Cement Pipe
Titanium Pipe

The pipe material technology has advance a lot today and manufacturers continue their research and technology to improve further piping materials.