Pressure rating (130 psi to 1130 psi) varies with schedule, pipe size, and temperature. Generally resistant to most acids, bases, salts, aliphatic solutions, oxidants, and halogens. Chemical resistance data is available and should be referenced for proper material selection.
At room temperature, FlowGuard Gold® CPVC is pressure rated to 400psi and at all normal operating temperatures (up to 140°F) FlowGuard Gold CPVC is pressure rated above 200psi. That means you will never have to worry about an over-pressure situation in a FlowGuard Gold potable water system.
CPVC is chemically incompatible with many forms of insulation used on wiring. The plasticizers in the insulation react with the CPVC and make it brittle and crack.
CPVC is a high-temperature plastic pressure piping system introduced for potable plumbing in 1959. It has also been used extensively in fire sprinkler systems since 1985. This material is also used for many industrial and process piping applications.
PEX tubing has a standard hydrostatic pressure rating of 160 psi at 73℉ (this is a 630 HDB rating, which applies to all PEX tubing sold in the U.S.).
CPVC Schedule 80 Pipe and Fitting Material Equivalents: ASTM D1784 Cell Classification 23447 = CPVC Type IV, Grade 1 CPVC = 4120. Maximum Hydrostatic Design Stress (HDS) @73°F = 2,000 psi; Maximum Hydrostatic Design Basis (HDB) @73°F = 4,000 (Per ASTM D2837/PPI TR-3/PPI TR-4).
It is better to use CPVC instead of PVC because it is a more stable polymer and can withstand higher temperatures in comparison to PVC.
CPVC joints set and cure quickly at temperatures between 60- and 120-degrees Fahrenheit. A 1” pipe may set in as little as 15 minutes at 60 degrees but will take 30 minutes at lower temperatures. At temperatures under 40 degrees, a 3/4” pipe may take as long as two days to fully cure.
A larger issue with CPVC is that it is not chemically resistant to all chemicals; this leads to drain and drainage system failures.
CPVC, as we explained earlier, is a stronger version of PVC pipe with a higher melting point and tougher chemical structure. This means old-fashioned PVC cement will not be fully effective on CPVC.
PVC is also strong but less flexible and more prone to cracking and failure. Both pipes can handle standard water pressure surges common in pipelines. However, with PVC, the pipe can handle 100 psi above its pressure class.
Some plumbers prefer PEX in new home construction over CPVC because of its flexibility, resistance to failure by freezing, and resistance to chemical attack when in contact with other products containing chemicals.
“When testing with air, the air compresses and stores energy in the exact same way a bomb would, creating the possibility for an explosion,” said Brian Conner, director of codes and standards and international technical support at Charlotte Pipe.
SharkBite brass push-to-connect fittings are compatible with PEX, copper, CPVC and HDPE pipe. They come with a PEX stiffener pre-loaded into the fitting for PEX and HDPE, and the stiffener doesn't need to be removed for copper or CPVC applications.
PVC is only intended for cold water and has a maximum service temperature of 140° F for pressure applications. Not only can CPVC handle higher temperatures than PVC, but its increased temperature resistance enables it to perform better within PVC's working range.
Spelling it out actually gives that away—CPVC stands for chlorinated polyvinyl chloride. So, CPVC differs in that it undergoes a free radical chlorination reaction, which increases the chlorine content of the material, hence the “C” as the first letter in the acronym, standing for “chlorinated”.
In continuous service, the 2 inches schedule 80 thickness is rated for 920 PSI, and it tends to burst when the temperature of schedule 80 steel pipes dimensions goes over 7340 PSI.
∎ Test with water at line pressure (150 psi max.). ∎ Testing for a minimum of 1 hour is recommended. ∎ CPVC piping shall not be air tested. ∎ After testing, thoroughly flush the system for at least 10 minutes to remove any residual traces of solvent cement components.
The Corzan® CPVC compound has been pressure rated in accordance with ASTM D2837 and PPI TR-3 having Hydrostatic Design Basis (HDB) of: 4000 psi at 72°F (23°C) as listed in PPI TR-4. 1000 psi at 180°F (82.2°C) as listed in PPI TR-4.
PEX pipe can be used as a service line based on its corrosion resistance to soil and water, its long life and its oxidative resistance. Our PEX pipe is not suitable for use in areas where the soil is or may become contaminated, including soil used for backfilling.
SharkBite Max is Rated to 400 psi.