HDPE and PVC pipe have several similarities, but there are important differences that you should understand when choosing a product. At Piedmont Plastics, we want you to have the right plastic for your specific application, and that’s why we want to point out these differences.

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Both PVC and HDPE are durable and lightweight options for piping in residential and commercial buildings. They carry a low risk of leaks, can carry gas and liquid, and can be used underground and in the water. Both are corrosion-proof and resistant to bacteria and chemical buildup as well. Yet, despite these similarities, distinct differences can dictate which choice is best for your needs.

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Differences Between PVC & HDPE

PVC and HDPE have some distinct differences. In general, HDPE is a flexible, strong, and impermeable plastic. 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. With HDPE, the pipe can withstand twice the pressure class. In addition, PVC can handle 5.5 feet per second of flow rate before changing its water pressure rating, while HDPE can handle 14 feet per second. Overall, HDPE is 2,500 more resistant to cracking and failure due to water hammer and fatigue.

PVC has a higher pressure class for static water, but HDPE has a higher working pressure rating. In addition, when creating pipe systems, HDPE has a greater bend radius, so it works well for applications that require a curved or bent design.

These two materials also vary in how they are joined. For example, HDPE is joined with heat fusion, while PFC must have a spigot or bell joint with cement. This means HDPE has less of a risk of leaks at the joints.

Finally, HDPE is more durable under extreme conditions. Unlike PVC, it is completely UV resistant and can be installed in extreme temperatures ranging from -40 to 140 degrees. It also has a service life of over a century.

Different Applications of PVC & HDPE Pipe

While the most common use of HDPE and PVC pipe is plumbing, these products have additional applications:

Common HDPE Applications

• Water and gas mains

• Sewage

• Irrigation

• Slurry transfers

• Stormwater and drainage

• Electrical and communications conduits

• Mining applications

• Firewater

• Brine lines

• Process chemicals

• Ocean clean-up

• Outtfall lines

Common PVC Applications

• Water mains

• Chemical transfers

• Stormwater drainage

  Additional reading:
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  For more difference between pvc and hdpeinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

• Sewage

• Household plumbing

• Irrigation

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  Underwater Piping

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Chemical Resistance and Compatability

HDPE and PVC differ in their resistance to certain chemicals. They have the same chemical resistance for the following:

Acetic acid, Ammonium Sulfate, Ammonium Hydroxide, Borax, Calcium hypochlorite, Ferrous sulfate, Hydrochloric acid, Hypochlorous acid, Phosphoric acid, Sodium bicarbonate, Sodium carbonate, Sodium chloride, Sulfur, Urine, Water, and Saltwater.

Some chemicals had distinct differences. These include:

• Chlorine at 50+ ppm: PVC is more resistant

• Nitric acid: HDPE is more resistant

• Lubricating oil: HDPE is more resistant

• Sodium HypoChlorite: PVC is more resistant

• Sulfuric Acid: HDPE is more resistant at most concentrations

Which Is More Cost -Effective: HDPE or PVC?

Even though HDPE is more durable and flexible than PVC and lasts longer without degradation, it costs a little more than its competition. However, when considering cost-effectiveness, you must look beyond the purchase price.

With HDPE, you don’t have to use cement to join pieces. Because it is joined with heat, the process requires minimal wait time. As a result, you do not have to wait for the cement to cure, and you can use your new pipes more quickly.

HDPE is also more cost-effective to transport. You do not have to protect it from sunlight as you do with PVC because it is UV resistant. This combination of less cost and time to install and less cost for transportation helps counter the higher purchase cost.

Finally, HDPE will last longer than PVC in most applications. Not having to replace and repair pipes as often adds up to major cost savings. In light of these factors, HDPE is typically the more cost-effective option.

Get Expert Guidance

If you are curious about whether to choose PVC or HDPE, the sales professionals at Piedmont Plastics can help. Our knowledgeable team will help you learn more about the benefits and drawbacks of each material so that you can choose the best one for your application. Reach out today.

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HDPE and PVC are both plastic materials commonly used to manufacture pipes. While the two materials share similarities, they have some key differences.

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is a strong, impermeable, and flexible thermoplastic. HDPE is ideal for water and wastewater pipelines as well as oil and gas transfer systems. In fact, this reliable and durable material often replaces metallic or concrete pipelines in these applications.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) has a higher tensile strength than HDPE pipe, but stronger does not always mean tougher. While PVC’s tensile strength is higher than HDPE pipe, it is also a much more brittle product that is susceptible to fatigue cracking and failures.

There are times when PVC pipe will work in certain applications, but we believe HDPE pipe to be the ideal choice for most water and wastewater applications.

HDPE Pipes vs. PVC Pipes Under Different Conditions

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HDPE is a natural gas-based thermoplastic, and PVC is a vinyl polymer. While they are both plastic products, HDPE is a more flexible and ductile pipe material. Below is a comparison of physical properties of the two types of pipe and their reactions to various conditions. 

Fatigue and Water Hammer

Both materials are rated to handle standard pressure surges in pipelines. PVC pipe can handle 100 psi (pounds per square inch) above the pressure class, whereas HDPE piping can withstand two times the pressure. HDPE pipes can also handle a flow rate of 14 feet per second before the pressure rating reduces, while PVC pipes can only tolerate 5.5 feet per second.

Compared to PVC, HDPE is 2,500 times more resistant to damage from water hammer and fatigue, so the thermoplastic is far less susceptible to cracking and failure over time. 

Pressure Class vs. Working Pressure

PVC has higher pressure classes for static water, but HDPE offers higher pressure classes for working pressures and higher flow velocities. For flows greater than 5.5 feet per second, HDPE should be compared DR for DR to PVC.

Bend Radius

With a bend radius of 25 times the pipe’s outer diameter, HDPE pipes are capable of forming sharper curves than PVC pipes, which have a bend radius 200 times the outer diameter, or 250 times for fusible PVC. HDPE pipes can be installed with more flexibility and adaptability.

Pipe Fusion vs. Bell & Spigot

HDPE pipes are joined using heat fusion, whereby pipes are thermally fused to form a seamless, monolithic, leak-free system that can withstand changing water levels, earthquakes, frost, and other ground movement. Because the fusion joints are self-restrained, they do not create the same vulnerabilities as bell and spigot joints, which are susceptible to leakage, over-deflection, over-insertion, and thrust blocking issues.

Viscoelastic vs. Amorphous

HDPE is a viscoelastic plastic that is strong yet flexible, making it perfect for piping operations. PVC is amorphous and very strong, but it has relatively low ductility, which makes the material brittle.

UV Resistance

PVC is vulnerable to UV radiation, which can cause pipes to break down over time. However, black HDPE pipes offer complete UV resistance throughout their lifecycle, from storage to shipment to implementation.

Temperature

HDPE pipe can be installed and operated in both temperature extremes, from temperatures of -40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. These temperatures apply to the fluid running through the pipe as well as the environment around it.

HDPE Pipe Installation Benefits

In addition to HDPE’s long service life of over 100 years, the material offers unique advantages during the installation process itself:

• Narrow trench widths

  : Compared to other pipe systems, HDPE pipes allow narrower trenches, which result in easier and more cost-effective below-ground installation. This is because the pipes can be joined outside the trench and then lowered into it.

• Safety

  : Because the trenches are so narrow and precise, there’s no need for trench blocking and shoring. Workers are not required to go into the trenches to install/join the pipes.

• Trenchless installation

  : HDPE is the most widely-used material for trenchless installation, according to NASTT (North American Society for Trenchless Technology). The pipes’ flexibility allows for the shortest entry and exit pits for trenchless installation.

• Versatility

  : HDPE is the only piping material that can be used for pneumatic pipe bursting due to its resistance to fatigue cracking.

Contact WL Plastics for HDPE Pipes

Although PVC and HDPE are both common piping materials, HDPE is the superior option for most piping applications. Industries that rely on HDPE pipes include energy, natural gas distribution, mining, municipal, and communications. Contact WL Plastics today to learn more about our HDPE pipe manufacturing capabilities.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of hdpe vs pvc pipe. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.