What is the Difference Between UPVC and CPVC?

The main difference between UPVC (Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride) and CPVC (Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride) lies in their resistance to temperatures and their applications. Here are the key differences between UPVC and CPVC:

• Temperature Resistance: CPVC can withstand temperatures up to 93°C, making it suitable for both hot and cold water applications. In contrast, UPVC can only withstand temperatures up to 60°C, making it suitable for cold water applications only.
• Chlorine Content: CPVC has 67% chlorine content, while UPVC has 57% chlorine content. The chlorination process of PVC polymer makes CPVC more strong, rigid, and chemically resistant.
• Flexibility: CPVC pipes are bendable, while UPVC pipes are rigid and non-bendable due to the absence of plasticizers.
• Fire Resistance: CPVC pipes exhibit fire-retardant properties, slowing down or stopping the spread of fire, and are used in fire sprinkler systems. UPVC pipes are fire-resistant but do not have the same fire-retardant properties as CPVC pipes.
• Chemical Resistance: CPVC is resistant to many acids, alcohols, hydrocarbons, and bases, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. UPVC is also resistant to chemicals but not to the same extent as CPVC.
• Applications: CPVC pipes are approved for potable water use by various national and international agencies, including the USA national Model Codes, NSF International, DVGW (Germany), WRAS (UK), CSTB (France), KIWA (The Netherlands), TSE (Turkey), and CSA (Canada). UPVC pipes are used for a variety of applications, including water supply in irrigation, drainage of soil and waste in buildings, and conduits for electrical wires and industrial chemical transportation.

Comparative Table: UPVC vs CPVC

Here is a table comparing the differences between UPVC and CPVC:

UPVC is a rigid, durable, and long-lasting material often used in window and door manufacturing and other construction applications. CPVC, on the other hand, is a more flexible and adaptable material due to its additional chlorine content. CPVC is specifically designed for plumbing applications, particularly potable water distribution, and is approved by various national and international agencies for this purpose.