Since the inception of plumbing, the material we use in piping has been an important subject. From that point forward, various trials and errors have been a part of the piping sector. People have used different materials for pipes, and the technology has only made it better over time. In the ancient days of plumbing, people used lead and clay that delivered clean water to homes and commercial buildings. Today, we mostly have metal or plastic pipes fit into our homes and offices.
And we understand that having so many viewpoints on choosing which pipe material is best suited for your home while upgrading a plumbing system can confuse you and can hamper your decision. Well, we certainly don’t want you to get crazy over this decision, And that is why we are here with another blog that can help you make the right choice.
Metal Pipes:
Let’s talk about metal pipes first as it has been a part of the plumbing system globally for many years. Generally, metallic piping is made out of steel or iron. There are different types of metal pipes in the market such as copper pipes, galvanized steel pipes, etc. Historically, most of the piping was manufactured from brass, copper, cast iron, or some other metal but over time these materials started having issues as the pipes began to age. Then came galvanized steel pipes that featured zinc coating which helped the pipes last longer than the other ones, But it was yet not the perfect option as it could not be used in transporting gas or any other acidic fluids.
To solve this problem black steel pipes were invented. Black steel pipes contained a dark-colored iron-oxide coating that did not need any galvanization protection. These pipes are used for transporting water, gas, and fire sprinkler systems due to their high heat resistance.
Pros And Cons of Metal Pipes
Pros:
– Ability to handle the pressure
– Some metal pipes are low cost
– Recyclability
– Temperature Tolerance
Cons:
– Short Lifespan
– Rust
– Corrosion
– Overweight
– Clogs
– Some metal pipes are costly
– Vulnerable to corrosion
Plastic Pipes
The history of Plastic in the plumbing industry is quite interesting. The principal type of plastic known as PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) was first produced to experiment within plumbing in the 19th century. After this, people related to the plumbing industry started manufacturing plumbing products made of plastic in 1926. And after this the story began, People experimented with plastic and came up with various materials to be used in plumbing that were durable and easier to use than metal. Today, the plastic supply in the plumbing sector has increased and is being used widely. In this blog, we will see how plastic pipes are better than metal pipes and dispel some of the myths about the material’s misinterpreted durability.
How is Plastic better than Metal?
Over time as people started using pipes and fitting made out of plastic, They realized that the material is more reliable than metal as it was able to withstand high temperature and elevated pressure along with superior corrosion resistance and more. So here are some reasons where you can know how Plastic can outperform metal.
Corrosion Resistance:
The biggest difference between metal pipes and plastic pipes is corrosion. Plastic pipes are corrosion-resistant. Plastic pipes and fittings are inherently inert to most of the acids, bases, and salts. These acidic fluids flow right past the plastic pipes leaving the piping unscathed.
Consequences of corrosion:
– Corrosion makes the walls of the pipes thinner and can decrease the pressure rating of any fluid.
– Slower flow rate that demands more pumps.
– The fluid purity can get contaminated as the corroded pieces can float inside the liquid.
– Installation cost gets high as only highly skilled professionals can wield the system after corrosion.
Installation Cost:
When it comes to installation, Plastic holds several advantages and is more cost-effective than metal pipes. The installation cost of plastic pipes is almost half compared to metal pipes. The weight of metal pipes is so much that it requires almost double the labour work than it’s required in Plastic piping arrangement. Moreover, heavy machinery is needed to transport and deliver the metal pipes.
Maintenance:
Regular maintenance is required throughout the piping system’s life for every kind of piping system. But with metal piping, a certain kind of alignments and readjustments are hard to perform as it is inflexible. Whereas, with minor training and welding, Plastic pipes and fittings are easy to readjust as most of them are pretty flexible.
Safety
Yes, That’s true plastic pipes offer a number of safety advantages as compared to metal pipes due to their material.
Here are some safety advantages you will get if you have Plastic piping in your home and workplace.
1.) Thermal Conductivity – Plastic pipes have a very low thermal conductivity. It has a cooler surface temperature that reduces the need for costly insulation and limits worker exposure to burn hazards.
2.) Fire safety – Plastic pipes have a limited Oxygen index of 60 therefore they will not sustain burning. Limited Oxygen Index is the percentage of oxygen needed in the atmosphere to support combustion.
3.) No Flame or Ignition Source: Plastic piping does not require an open flame or ignition source to install. It only needs solvent
cement, threading, or flanging for the installation. Whereas, a metal pipe needs to be welded with the flame to get installed.
Breaking the myths
There are some unjustified myths about plastic pipes and fitting which you must have heard that can not only make you question the products but also increase your confusion about choosing the right material. So, why wait? Let’s break those myths! Shall we?
1.) Plastic is expensive
Plastic might have a higher material cost than some metals but the overall lifecycle of Plastic material from installation to maintenance to durability makes it less expensive than any other metal pipe.
2.) Plastic can’t be used for all piping system parts
Plastic pipes are manufactured with easy injection and compression moulding techniques. Any manufacturer can create any kind of pipe, fittings, or valves necessary for the industrial system. At Dutron, We manufacture each and every product that can fulfill various industrial purposes and can be useful to our customers.
3.) Plastic can’t handle heat or pressure
Dutron Plastic pipes and fittings are durable enough to withstand the pressure requirements of process applications and are made by satisfying internationally certified quality standards. At Dutron, we manufacture several Plastic Products for the plumbing sector such as UPVC Pipes and Fittings, CPVC Pipes and Fittings, Drainage Pipes and more that can solve all your plumbing related problems.
The range of Plastic Products offered by Dutron
Dutron CPVC Pipes and Fittings
The Dutron CPVC Hot and Cold Water Plumbing System is an attractive alternative to conventional plumbing systems made of G.I. and copper pipes. Dutron uses technically advanced plastic material to manufacture its pipes and fittings. These pipes are manufactured in sizes ½” to 2” with ISI (IS 15778) mark and 2 ½” to 6” as per ASTM F441. Additionally, these pipes are produced out of an extrusion process while injection moulded, under international ISO 9001:2015 process standards, with the most sophisticated systems for quality assurance.
Key Features
– Dutron CPVC pipes and fittings can withstand high and low temperatures.
-It is Resistant to many everyday household chemicals
-It has a long and maintenance-free service life due to corrosion resistance
-It does not support combustion; therefore they cannot burn without an external fuel source
-It can handle most of the temperature/pressure requirements of today’s typical process plants
-It is extremely easy to install using solvent cement
-Additionally, it is economical, durable, light in weight, and has lower friction.
Dutron uPVC Pipes and Fittings are manufactured from state-of-the-art machines and are tested at their well-equipped Quality Assurance Laboratory. It has a wide range of pipes and fittings making Dutron a complete uPVC Plumbing, Pressure, and SWR Pipe Systems supplier. Moreover, these pipes are produced out of the extrusion process while injection moulded, under international ISO 9001:2015 process standards, with the most sophisticated systems for quality assurance.
Key Features:
– Dutron uPVC Pipes and Fittings holds a complete range of pipes as per ASTM D1785
– It has an excellent tensile and impact strength
– It is non-corrosive and maintenance-free
– It has a longer service life and economical-excellent replacement to the GI Pipe system
– No Scaling or deposition due to smooth surface
– Easy installation, leak-proof joints welded by solvent cement
– 100% Lead-free, hence completely hygienic
– It is completely UV Stabilized, hence ideal for outdoor application
Dutron uPVC Product Range
Here is the range of products Dutron offers in their uPVC line.
1.) Dutron uPVC Pressure Pipes and Fittings
2.) Dutron uPVC SWR Pipes and Fittings
3.) Dutron uPVC Casing Pipes
4.) Dutron uPVC Submersible Column Pipes
5.) Dutron uPVC Fabricated Fittings
6.) Dutron PVC-U Drainage Pipes
DUTRON HDPE Pipes and Fittings are manufactured at state-of-the-art manufacturing plants. HDPE material is best suited against GI/DI as it is inert to most of the chemicals. The latest generation PE pipe grade raw material is used to provide the ultimate strength to the product.
Key-Features:
– Dutron HDPE Pipes and Fittings are extremely lightweight and abrasion-resistant
– It is flexible, and pipes up to 140 mm diameter are available in coil form
– It has excellent resistance to stress cracking and long term stress crack propagation
– It can be used safely down to -40°C
– It is chemically resistant to most corrosive chemicals, acids, and alkalis.
– It has better efficiency at an economical price range
– The sprinkler system comes with a quick-release coupler
A proper piping material is as important as having a proper piping system installed in our homes and workplaces. Wrong piping material can cause you a lot of damage in the long run. It can cause a leak, can infect your water, or stop working completely too. Metal is one of the oldest materials used for piping but it’s not always clever if you stick to the older methods. Evolution is necessary, and therefore changing your beliefs and upgrading yourself with time is the need of the hour. In this case, choosing plastic over metal while upgrading your plumbing system is more beneficial for you.
About Dutron:
Since its inception, Dutron has been manufacturing outstanding products. Producing a quality product and delivering it to our dealers and consumers is our priority. With hard work and dedication, we always try to manufacture a product line that reaches the international markets.
Keep reading our blogs to get information regarding all our products and how they can benefit you.
Feel free to reach out and contact us for any query.