The term PVC stands for polyvinyl chloride, and it’s a durable, man-made plastic with many uses. During the manufacturing process, stabilizers are added to help the plastic resist oxidation and degradation.
“CPVC” stands for chlorinated polyvinyl chloride. If that seems redundant, there’s a reason: the manufacturing process further chlorinates the plastic and changes its chemical composition. Without an in-depth chemistry lesson, this allows CPVC to be more resistant to degradation and improves its lifespan. However, both PVC and CPVC are popular plumbing pipe compounds, but they’re not exactly interchangeable.
CPVC and PVC are both plastics, but CPVC is more durable and longer-lasting.
While it’s true that the names are similar, and the two products even look similar, there are some significant differences between CPVC and PVC.
The chemical makeup of CPVC makes it far more resistant to corrosion and degradation over time than PVC, but it’s also better suited for higher temperature applications. PVC’s maximum operating temperature is 140 degrees. Beyond that temperature, the plastic softens and loses its shape, which can lead to leaks. However, CPVC has a maximum operating temperature of 200 degrees before it softens.
Also, CPVC and PVC react to chemicals differently. Not only is CPVC better suited for chemical applications, the solvents and primers used to bond these materials are different. Both require a specific type.