PVC versus Stainless Steel Pipe and Fittings

Comparing PVC and Stainless Steel Plumbing

When evaluating PVC versus stainless steel pipe and fittings, most consider plastic to be less durable, less resilient, and not as long lived as metal materials, especially stainless steel. However, this is a generalized assumption and can often prove false in many real-world work cases. Comparing a plastic such as PVC to a robust metal like stainless steel may seem foolish to some, but here we will outline the important operation characteristics between the two and demonstrate areas where PVC actually outperforms the metal. When used for approved applications, PVC pipe and fittings can be significantly resistant, durable and provide a service life that can exceed its intended use as well as that of stainless steel.

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Below we will outline nine major points comparing PVC and stainless steel plumbing in terms of their individual properties, characteristics, use compatibility, service life and cost.

2) Pressure Range

Pipe pressure range ratings are related to the materials’ inherent strength and flexibility, as well as the thickness of the piping sidewall and total diameter. Metals are often more rigid and stronger than plastic materials when dealing with pressure. When high system pressure ranges are expected, stainless steel may make a better choice. PVC can be well suited for pressurized fluid applications if the pressures are within PVC’s reported ranges. Stainless steel pipe can be approved for handling pressures as high as PSI. While PVC pipe can be rated for internal pressures up to PSI.

4) Mechanical Strength

The mechanical strength and rigidity of stainless steel will outperform that of semi-flexible PVC plastic. The physical toughness of stainless steel is measured to withstand greater stresses over PVC, therefore a greater force will be required to bend and break stainless steel versus PVC pipe.

However, in many applications this is not a concern and sometimes flexibility in the piping run is desired as it can actually make installation easier. In such applications, PVC often makes for a more compatible choice.

6) Corrosion Resistance

By reference definition, plastic materials such as PVC are often described as “non-corrosive” or corrosion resistant compared to metal / steel. This means PVC plastic pipe is not susceptible to environmental corrosion such as the weathering effects of rusting and pitting. While, stainless steel is a corrosion-less material.

As a metal, stainless steel will long term be susceptible to the environmental corrosion that accompanies soil chemistry reactions and elemental chloride exposure that can damage the metal’s integrity through pitting and chemical reactions along its surface.

In contrast, PVC plastic is highly resistant to the effects of soil and chloride reactions, such as those expected when handling seawater and brine solutions; i.e. sodium chloride (NaCl), calcium chloride (CaCl2), magnesium chloride (MgCl2), etc.

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7) Insulation Properties and Electrical Conductance

Stainless steel as a metal is an electrical conductor and a relatively poor insulator against thermal changes and ambient temperature influences. This means stainless steel will react to internal and external temperature fluctuations and transfer thermal energy accordingly. A stainless pipe that carries a hot solution will feel warm to the touch, losing heat to the environment, and if ambient temperatures are low, the temperature of the plumbed fluid will also be affected as the metal is cooled.

Alternatively, PVC pipe and fittings are decent insulators against hot and cold thermal exchanges as well as electrical conductance. Fluctuations in external temperatures do not affect PVC as quickly as it affects stainless steel due to PVC having greater thermal insulation properties. Neither will PVC as a material carry an electric current.

8) Service Life

The service life of a piping material is entirely dependent on what the pipe is to be used for as well as environmental stressors of weather exposure and soil chemistry. Pipes used for water will often last longer than pipes used for chemicals but are often exposed to the elements. Pipes protected from external stressors will inherently last longer for service.

Between PVC and stainless steel plumbing, PVC is more resistant to the long term effects of water, weather (excluding sunlight UV exposure), and soil chemistry, which in turn promotes a greater service life for these applications. For non-degradative uses, such as water, PVC can have a life range of 100 years or more. While metals such as stainless steel are long lasting in general, they tend to experience corrosive effects over time that leads to eventual repairs or replacements.

Takeaways | PVC vs Stainless Steel Pipes and Fittings

When comparing PVC versus stainless steel pipe and fittings, the plastic can outperform the metal or make a better choice within many common use scenarios. The fundamentals of our comparison, however, indicate each plumbing type has its own strengths and weaknesses that fluctuate based on application. Simply put, stainless steel is better suited for certain work uses while PVC is ideally suited for others.

PVC is considered a non-corrosive material, while stainless steel is a “corrosion-less” material. PVC can be well suited for handling chemicals and has inherent resistance against many acids that stainless steel does not. For water pipe, PVC resists corrosive water interactions, rust and does not as readily support microbiological growth as stainless steel does. In terms of mechanical strength, maximum-minimum operation temperatures, and pressure tolerance, stainless steel has the upper hand. However, PVC excels in terms of insulation to hot cold influences, its resistance to electrical conduction and its ease of installation.

Additionally, plastic materials, such as PVC, are considerably cheaper to purchase, implement and replace. PVC pipe is also much lighter by weight, making it easier to handle, store and install. If looking for top of the line PVC piping and components produced from today’s top manufacturers: we provide it. If you want more information concerning plastic piping, review our resource center. For any further questions, comments or plumbing needs, contact our team of experts today: we are always ready to assist.

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