This is a complete guide on Schedule 80 PVC pipe size, its application, sizes, uses, and how to install it. Before purchasing a pipe system, consider how strong, durable, and stress-resistant it will be. Companies and industries requiring something more powerful than normal Schedule 40 tend to use Schedule 80 PVC pipe.
It has stronger walls, can withstand more pressure, and does not rust, so it is used by a lot of industrial workers. Plumbers, farmers, and workers who use chemicals are a few of these workers. In this article, we’ll cover all you want to know regarding the size of Schedule 80 PVC pipe.
We’ll discuss how large it is, what it’s used for, and how to assemble it.
What does Schedule 80 refer to with respect to PVC pipe?
PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is one of the most widely used plastic pipe materials throughout the world. It’s inexpensive, light, and won’t rust or corrode. There are a multitude of various methods of creating pipes from PVC. This refers to pipe wall thickness and pressure resistance.
Plan 40 Most people use PVC plastic for plumbing in their house and for applications that don’t require much pressure.
Plan 80 PVC is thicker, heavier, and can withstand more pressure.
The outside diameter (OD) of Schedule 40 and Schedule 80 pipe is the same, so you can use the same fittings on each.
The two principal differences that distinguish them from each other are the wall thickness and the ID.
Since the wall is thicker, Schedule 80 pipes have a bit smaller ID.
But in doing so, the pipe becomes that much stronger and more capable of withstanding pressure. Key Sizes for Schedule 80 When contractors and engineers deal with PVC pipe, they tend to have a comprehensive size chart. These are the key things about sizes in Schedule 80 to keep in mind:
Larger than Schedule 40, which is better for systems with plenty of pressure.
| Nom. Pipe Size (in) | O.D. | Average I.D. | Min. Wall | Nominal Wt./Ft. | Maximum. W.P. PSI* |
| 1/8 | .405 | .195 | 0.095 | 0.063 | 1230 |
| 1/4 | .540 | .282 | 0.119 | 0.105 | 1130 |
| 3/8 | .675 | .403 | 0.126 | 0.146 | 920 |
| 1/2 | .840 | .526 | 0.147 | 0.213 | 850 |
| 3/4 | 1.050 | .722 | 0.154 | 0.289 | 690 |
| 1 | 1.315 | .936 | 0.179 | 0.424 | 630 |
| 1-1/4 | 1.660 | 1.255 | 0.191 | 0.586 | 520 |
| 1-1/2 | 1.900 | 1.476 | 0.200 | 0.711 | 470 |
| 2 | 2.375 | 1.913 | 0.218 | 0.984 | 400 |
| 2-1/2 | 2.875 | 2.290 | 0.276 | 1.500 | 420 |
| 3 | 3.500 | 2.864 | 0.300 | 2.010 | 370 |
| 3-1/2 | 4.000 | 3.326 | 0.318 | 2.452 | 350 |
| 4 | 4.500 | 3.786 | 0.337 | 2.938 | 320 |
| 5 | 5.563 | 4.768 | 0.375 | 4.078 | 290 |
| 6 | 6.625 | 5.709 | 0.432 | 5.610 | 280 |
| 8 | 8.625 | 7.565 | 0.500 | 8.522 | 250 |
| 10 | 10.750 | 9.493 | 0.593 | 12.635 | 230 |
| 12 | 12.750 | 11.294 | 0.687 | 17.384 | 230 |
| 14 | 14.000 | 12.410 | 0.750 | 20.852 | 220 |
| 16 | 16.000 | 14.213 | 0.843 | 26.810 | 220 |
| 18 | 18.000 | 16.014 | 0.937 | 33.544 | 220 |
| 20 | 20.000 | 17.814 | 1.031 | 41.047 | 220 |
| 24 | 24.000 | 21.418 | 1.218 | 58.233 | 210 |
The walls are heavier, so the Inside Diameter (ID) is smaller than Schedule 40. This results in a slightly smaller flow capacity.
Because the Outside Diameter (OD) is the same as Schedule 40 pipes, it can be used with standard PVC fittings.
Pressure Ratings: The smaller diameters support more pressure, at times even up to 280 to 400 PSI.
Conversely, larger diameters do not support as much pressure.
Schedule 80 is suitable for heavy-duty and industrial plumbing systems since it has the perfect wall thickness and can withstand a lot of pressure.
What are the advantages of Schedule 80 PVC Pipe?
There are many reasons Schedule 80 PVC pipe is superior to other pipes, one being how long lasting it is. It can take a lot of abuse and still last for a long time.
- PVC doesn’t rust or corrode like metal pipes.
- Chemical Resistance: It is able to store acids, bases, salts, and other substances that decompose things.
- Lightweight and easy to handle; easier to transport and install than metal pipes.
- Cost-Effective: These pipes are cheaper compared to other high-performance pipes constructed from metals such as copper, stainless steel, or other metals.
- It is compatible with numerous other kinds of PVC fittings, valves, and connectors.
Schedule 80 PVC Pipe is durable, and you can use it in a variety of ways. Schedule 80 PVC is applied in many various fields due to the fact that it is durable and can be utilized in many different ways. Some of the most popular uses are as follows:
Schedule 80 is commonly applied in municipal, commercial, and industrial pipes to supply high-pressure water.
Plumbing Applications: Employed in plumbing requiring added strength, both above and below grade.
Farmers employ it to ensure that water comes out consistently in high-pressure irrigation systems.
It does not rust and can function under water, making it safe to transfer water in fish farms and aquariums.
Chemical Handling: This is an excellent means of transferring acids, bases, and other chemicals factories deal with.
Compressed air systems are common in most factories and workshops, and such systems require pipes to transport the air.
Applications of Schedule 80 PVC Pipe: Schedule 80 pipes are employed a great many places, but some are extremely specific:
Manufacturing Facilities: To transport water and raw materials to be cooled down.
Food and Drink Industry: Employed in processing facilities to clean lines and for water that is unsafe to drink.
Power Plants: Used in cooling towers and other systems that use water.
Pharmaceutical and Laboratory Systems: Provides a safe, corrosion-resistant pipeline for sensitive tasks.
Swimming pools and spa systems can handle the pressure of water that is always moving.
Electrical conduit and construction: keeps electrical wires safe in tough business environments.
These are some examples of the crucial role that Schedule 80 PVC pipes play in situations where pipes have to last a lifetime and endure a great deal of pressure.
How to Install Schedule 80 PVC Pipe?
Schedule 80 PVC is a robust material, but it also relies heavily on how well it is assembled.
Here are some ideas from professionals:
- Preparation and cutting
Each time you cut the pipe, cut it with a fine toothed saw or a PVC cutter.
Sand the edges after cutting to smooth them out and remove burrs.
This will maintain the surfaces smooth, which may alter the flow of water or injure joints. - Fit Dry,
All other fittings should be pushed on firmly, but not with great force.
Assemble the system without glue prior to applying cement to ensure that everything is where it should be. This allows you not to make mistakes when you set something in place forever. - Select the correct cement and primer
Prior to making good joints with solvent cement designed for Schedule 80 PVC, first prime the pipe and fittings using PVC primer to break the pipe and fittings.
You should not employ general-purpose glues since they may not withstand much pressure. - Give it time to get better
Don’t force the system until it has had time to recover.
Depending on how large the pipe is and how hot it is, curing could take anywhere from a few hours to a full day. - Hangers and Support
Use hangers or brackets to support long runs of pipe so that they won’t bend, sag, or cause too much pressure on the joints. - Things to remember about temperature
Schedule 80 PVC can handle temperatures that are cold or mild, but it can’t be used in water that is hotter than 140°F (60°C). CPVC is a better option for hot water.
Benefits of Plan 80 Compared to Other Materials PVC pipes are better than metal pipes like copper and steel in a lot of ways:
Weight: It’s significantly lighter, which is less expensive and easier to transport and hire individuals. PVC cannot rust or develop scales like metal, so it is rust-free.
Cost Savings: Large projects save money by utilizing more affordable materials and making them simpler to assemble. - Long life: It is longer lasting since it is capable of dealing with most of the things that occur in the surroundings.
Last Thoughts
Schedule 80 PVC pipe is among the greatest plumbing options currently available. Since it has thicker walls, higher pressure ratings, and is chemically resistant, it can be employed for numerous things, like irrigating crops and processing chemicals in factories. Schedule 80 PVC is the preferred option for engineers designing a high-pressure system and homeowners who would like their plumbing to last longer.
It is durable, affordable, and easy to assemble. You can ensure your work lasts long and doesn’t leak or get broken, which would be very expensive, by taking the correct procedures for installation, such as cutting, priming, solvent welding, and curing. Briefly, Schedule 80 PVC is the ideal kind of PVC pipe to utilize. It has been used by those industries that require tough, durable pipes for decades.