CPVC pipe
(chlorinated polyvinylchloride)

CPVC pipe is rigid, inexpensive, and highly resistant to corrosion. Its advantage compared to PVC pipe is a higher operating temperature; PVC is 140°F, and CPVC is 180°F. In homes, it is often used for sprinkler systems. It is recyclable.

symbol for vinyl and polyvinyl chloride

recycling symbol

CPVC pipe may be color coded: blue for potable water, green for sewage and drain pipe, and purple (or lavender) for reclaimed water.

Do not test with compressed air or gas.

In cold weather, more likely to crack.

In the United States, two different systems are used for sizing CPVC pipe.

IPS sizes

This system of sizes is based on pre-existing iron pipe standards.

Schedules 40 and 80

In the table below, the maximum working pressure rating is for water at 73°F, using solvent-cemented joints (that is, not threaded). Derating factors for higher temperatures are given below the table. Sizes shaded in pink are not likely to be available in consumer-oriented outlets. All linear dimensions are in inches.

Schedules 40 and 80
Nom.
size
OD Schedule 40 Schedule 80
Min.
ID*
Min.
wall
Wt/ft
(lbs)
Max
wp
(psi)
Min.
ID*
Min.
wall
Wt/ft
(lbs)
Max
wp
(psi)
¼ .540 .354 .088 0.096 780 .288 .119 0.117 1130
38 .675 .483 .091 0.128 620 .407 .126 0.162 920
½ .840 .608 .109 .190 600 .528 .147 .238 850
¾ 1.050 .810 .113 .253 480 .724 .154 .322 690
1 1.315 1.033 .133 .371 450 .935 .179 .473 630
1.660 1.364 .140 .502 370 1.256 .191 .654 520
1.900 1.592 .145 .599 330 1.476 .200 .793 470
2 2.375 2.049 .154 .803 280 1.913 .218 1.097 400
2.875 2.445 .203 1.267 300 2.289 .276 1.674 420
3 3.500 3.042 .216 1.660 260 2.864 .300 2.242 370
4.000 3.520 .226 1.996 240 3.326 .318 2.735 350
4 4.500 3.998 .237 2.363 220 3.786 .337 3.277 320
5 5.563 5.017 .258   190 4.767 .375   290
6 6.625 6.031 .280 4.164 180 5.709 .432 6.258 280
8 8.625 7.943 .322 6.268 160 7.565 .500 9.506 250
10 10.750 9.976 .365 8.886 140 9.492 .593 14.095 230
12 12.750 11.890 .406 11.751 130 11.294 .687 19.392 230
14 14.000 13.072 .437 13.916 130 12.410 .750 23.261 220
16 16.000 14.940 .500 16.167 130 14.214 .843 29.891 220

*Not from the specification, but found by subtracting two maximum within-tolerance wall thicknesses from the minimum within tolerance outside diameter.

Pipes with 18-inch, 20-inch and 24-inch outside diameters are made, but they are not covered by the ASTM specification.

ASTM F 441 Standard Specification for Chlorinated Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (CPVC) Plastic Pipe, Schedules 40 and 80.

D 2846 Standard Specification

 

Derating working pressure at higher temperatures

Operating
temperature
degrees F
Derating
factor
73°F 1.00
80°F 1.00
90°F 0.91
100°F 0.82
110°F 0.77
120°F 0.65
130°F 0.57
140°F 0.50
150°F 0.42
160°F 0.40
170°F 0.29
180°F 0.25
200°F 0.20

 

 

For example, at 160°F, 2-inch schedule 40 pipe would have a maximum working pressure of (280 × 0.40 =) 112 pounds per square inch.

If schedule 80 pipe is threaded, the working pressure should be cut in half. Schedule 40 pipe is not supposed to be threaded; it is too thin.

SDR sizes

The second system of pipe sizes, the Standard Dimension Ratio (SDR) or Class system, is based on the ratio of outer diameter to wall thickness that is needed for the pipe to withstand a certain working pressure. Typical series of sizes in this system are “class 125” and “class 200”. Class 125 pipe, for example, has a working pressure of 125 pounds per square inch.

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