Recognition of Schedule 40 PVC Pipe
It is polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe that is perhaps the most popular today for use as a piping material simply because of its better nature (durability, economy, and versatility). From the broad grouping of PVC pipes, Schedule 40 could be labeled as the most common. For thousands of years, Schedule 40 PVC pipe has been the standard choice for both domestic and commercial plumbing for irrigation systems and drainage applications and even for some industrial applications. It is important to know its specification, advantages, and disadvantages for the homeowner, contractor, or engineer who needs reliable performance at an affordable cost.
What Does The ‘Schedule 40’ Mean?
Schedule in piping doesn’t mean time or planning but instead means wall thickness and pressure rating. Schedule numbers are the standards of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). With the increase in number, it implies that the pipe wall is thicker and has a much greater pressure capacity.
Schedule 40 indicates a medium wall thickness that balances strength and cost.
While Schedule 80 would have had a thicker wall and could take more pressure, it is not designed with the pipes designed.
Physical Properties
Schedule 40 PVC pipe is made from rigid polyvinyl chloride. Its salient physical characteristics are as follows:
Wall thickness: Varies with diameter. Larger pipe diameters need thicker walls to maintain pressure capacity.
Pressure rating: Generally good for 120 to 810 psi with variance according to size, but reduces with increased pipe diameter.
Temperature range: Designed for service at temperatures up to about 140?F (60?C); above this temperature, pipe softens and loses strength.
even though it is mostly white, some manufacturers produce gray products for special markets.
Compared to metallic piping, it is lighter and then easily conveys and installs without special equipment.
| Nom. Pipe Size (in) | O.D | Average I.D | Min.Wall | Nominal Wt./Ft. | Maximum W.P. PSI* |
| 1/8 | 0.405 | 0.249 | 0.068 | 0.051 | 810 |
| 1/4 | 0.540 | 0.344 | 0.088 | 0.086 | 780 |
| 3/8 | 0.675 | 0.473 | 0.091 | 0.115 | 620 |
| 1/2 | 0.840 | 0.602 | 0.109 | 0.170 | 600 |
| 3/4 | 1.050 | 0.804 | 0.113 | 0.226 | 480 |
| 1 | 1.315 | 1.029 | 0.133 | 0.333 | 450 |
| 1-1/4 | 1.660 | 1.360 | 0.140 | 0.450 | 370 |
| 1-1/2 | 1.900 | 1.590 | 0.145 | 0.537 | 330 |
| 2 | 2.375 | 2.047 | 0.154 | 0.720 | 280 |
| 2-1/2 | 2.875 | 2.445 | 0.203 | 1.136 | 300 |
| 3 | 3.500 | 3.042 | 0.216 | 1.488 | 260 |
| 3-1/2 | 4.000 | 3.521 | 0.226 | 1.789 | 240 |
| 4 | 4.500 | 3.998 | 0.237 | 2.118 | 220 |
| 5 | 5.563 | 5.016 | 0.258 | 2.874 | 190 |
| 6 | 6.625 | 6.031 | 0.280 | 3.733 | 180 |
| 8 | 8.625 | 7.942 | 0.322 | 5.619 | 160 |
| 10 | 10.750 | 9.976 | 0.365 | 7.966 | 140 |
| 12 | 12.750 | 11.889 | 0.406 | 10.534 | 130 |
| 14 | 14.000 | 13.073 | 0.437 | 12.462 | 130 |
| 16 | 16.000 | 14.940 | 0.500 | 16.286 | 130 |
| 18 | 18.000 | 16.809 | 0.562 | 20.587 | 130 |
| 20 | 20.000 | 18.743 | 0.593 | 24.183 | 120 |
| 24 | 24.000 | 22.544 | 0.687 | 33.652 | 120 |
Common Uses
That cost ratio made Schedule 40 PVC pipe one of the most widely used materials in the world.
It is extensively used in residential and commercial constructions for drain, waste, and vent DWV systems. This is not suitable for hot water supply, but it forms an important part of irrigation systems and cold water lines.
Irrigation and Sprinkler Systems: Such a good bargain, along with corrosion resistance, earned Schedule 40 PVC to be the material of choice for homeowners, landscapers, and farmers for distributing water through lawns or fields.
Conduit for Electrical Wiring: In many jurisdictions, Schedule 40 PVC is used instead of other types of piping as conduit to safeguard their electrical cables from physical stresses and moisture.
Commercial Uses: Industrial Schedule 40 PVC is used by various industries to convey materials to be tested if these are compatible within the designation chemical resistance of PVC.
Hobby and DIY: Schedule 40 PVC is so easy to cut, glue, and fit that it comes as the first material picked by manufacturers or enthusiasts from furniture and sports products to greenhouse frames.
Environmental and Safety Considerations
PVC is a plastic derived from petroleum and chlorine. While its use in pipes is generally safe and non-toxic, disposal and manufacturing raise environmental questions. Recycling of PVC is less common than for other plastics, though possible in some areas. Burning PVC releases hazardous chemicals, so it should always be handled and disposed of properly.
From a safety perspective, Schedule 40 PVC should never be used for compressed air lines. If it ruptures under pressure, it can shatter violently, sending shards flying. Specialized piping systems designed for air pressure should be used instead.
Conclusion
Schedule 40 PVC pipe has become a fixture in modern plumbing, irrigation, and construction. This is because it has all the features of being low-cost, strong, and really easy to use. It has its limitations, however, in that it cannot be used at high temperatures, and cannot withstand the UV rays or very high pressure on certain occasions. But if used properly, it comes into use for decades without the need for replacement. Schedule 40 PVC pipe is still among the most commonly used reliable yet affordable materials, whether you are a professional contractor running a plumbing line, a farmer setting an irrigation system, or just a homeowner doing a simple backyard project.