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.
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.
This system of sizes is based on pre-existing iron pipe standards.
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.
| 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 |
| 3⁄8 | .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 |
| 1¼ | 1.660 | 1.364 | .140 | .502 | 370 | 1.256 | .191 | .654 | 520 |
| 1½ | 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 |
| 2½ | 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 |
| 3½ | 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
| 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.
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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Last revised: 4 September 2011.