What is the difference between CPVC tube and UPVC tube?

In the pipeline system, CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride) and UPVC (unplasticized polyvinyl chloride), as two standard plastic pipes with corrosion resistance, light, ease of installation, and other advantages, are widely used. However, due to differences in material properties, there are significant differences between the two in practical applications.

Material characteristics and core differences

1. Chemical structure differences

CPVC pipe: The chlorine content of PVC resin is increased from 56% to 63% to 69% through the chlorination modification. This process significantly enhances the material’s high-temperature resistance and chemical stability.

UPVC pipe: Directly processed from unplasticized polyvinyl chloride resin without chlorination, retaining the rigidity and low-cost characteristics of PVC.

2. Key performance comparison

CPVC tube vs. UPVC tube: Core difference and application field comparison table

Dimensions of Comparison	CPVC tube (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride)	UPVC tube (unplasticized PVC)
Materials and processes	PVC resin modified by chlorination, chlorine content ≥67%	Unplasticized PVC resin, add stabilizer and lubricant
Temperature resistance	-40℃~95℃ (long-term tolerance ≤90℃ high temperature fluid)	-10℃~60℃ (short time peak 70℃, not high temperature)
Chemical resistance	Stronger, resistant to concentrated acids (such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid), strong alkalis	Generally, suitable for weak acid, weak base and common corrosive media
Compressive strength	Higher (≥1.6MPa, some models up to 2.5MPa)	Medium (0.6 to 1.6MPa)
Main application areas	High temperature corrosion scenario:	Room temperature/general purpose scenario:
	Industrial hot water transport (below 90℃)	Building drainage and stormwater systems
	Chemical plant acid and alkali medium pipeline	Municipal water supply (cold water)
	Fire sprinkler system high temperature branch pipe	Agricultural irrigation piping
	High temperature liquid delivery for food processing (FDA certification required)	Cable threading protection sleeve
Cost	High (raw material process is complex, the price is 30%~50% higher than UPVC)	Low (standardized production, cost-effective)
Installation requirements	Need special CPVC glue, hot melt connection is more stable	General PVC glue can be, socket adhesive or rubber ring connection
Typical Specifications	Small caliber mainly (DN15 to DN200)	Cover full size (DN20 to DN630)

Analysis of differences in application fields

1. Building water supply and drainage system

CPVC pipe applications

  Hot water supply: withstand hot water above 80℃, suitable for hotels, hospitals, and other central hot water systems.

  Fire sprinkler system: V-0 flame retardant performance to meet the fire code can replace some metal pipes.

  Case: A five-star hotel uses CPVC pipe to lay a circulating hot water pipe network, and there has been no leakage for five consecutive years.

UPVC pipe Applications 

  Cold water transmission: municipal tap water, home cold water pipe, and other room temperature scenarios.

  Drainage system: Building rain and sewage pipes is 40% cheaper than cast iron pipes.

  Limitations: It is easy to soften and deform when the temperature exceeds 60℃ and is not suitable for a hot water environment.

2. Industrial piping system

CPVC pipe advantage areas

  Chemical industry: Transport concentration ≤40% of hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, and other corrosive media (temperature < 80℃).

  Electroplating industry: withstands wastewater containing chromium, nickel, and other heavy metal ions.

  Case: A chemical plant replaced stainless steel pipes with CPVC pipes, reducing annual maintenance costs by 65%.

UPVC pipe advantage areas  

Low pressure ventilation system: laboratory exhaust pipe, workshop exhaust pipe.

  Pure water transmission: ultra-pure water pipeline in electronics factory to avoid metal ion pollution.

3. Agricultural irrigation system

CPVC pipe: suitable for greenhouses and other hot water heating scene, resistant to long-term corrosion of fertilizers and pesticides.

UPVC pipe: widely used in open-air drip irrigation, sprinkler irrigation systems, and low-temperature environments need to add antifreeze.

• Special applications

Floor heating system: CPVC pipe high-temperature resistance can meet the needs of 45℃~60℃ hot water circulation.

Mariculture: UPVC tubes are easy to age in the salt spray environment, and CPVC’s life is extended by 2-3 times.

Key factors in selection decision

1. Medium temperature

< 60℃ : the UPVC tube is preferred (cost saving 30%-50%).

≥60℃ : CPVC tube must be used to avoid the risk of pipeline deformation.

2. Chemical compatibility

Transport organic solvents (such as acetone, xylene) : CPVC tube is required.

Transport chlorine gas, ozone and other strong oxidants: it is recommended to use UPVC tube (CPVC may chlorinate).

3 Install the environment

Directly buried underground: CPVC pipe has higher compressive strength and is suitable for heavy vehicle traffic areas.

High-cold areas: UPVC pipes need to add impact modifiers (such as CPE) to avoid low temperature brittle-cracking.

4. Cost budget

Initial investment: UPVC tube price is about 60%-70% of CPVC tube price.

Full life cycle cost: CPVC tube maintenance costs are lower in high temperature scenarios.

Common misunderstanding clarification

Misconception 1: UPVC tube can not be used in chemical industry scenes?

Correction: UPVC can transport weakly corrosive media (such as hydrochloric acid with a concentration below 10%), but CPVC is required for strong corrosion or high temperature.

Misconception 2: Can CPVC pipes replace metal pipes to transport steam?

Correction: The upper temperature limit of CPVC is 95 ° C, and the steam pipe (usually ≥100 ° C) needs to be changed to PPH or metal.

How to choose?

Base on the temperature: fluid temperature > 60℃ → select CPVC; Room temperature → UPVC.

Base on corrosion: strong acid/base → choose CPVC; Ordinary media → UPVC.

Base on the budget: high cost performance demand → select UPVC; Special performance requirements → select CPVC.

Supplier

Luoyang Datang Energy Tech Co., Ltd. is a professional manufacturer and supplier of pipes and fittings. We offer PPR pipes, PVC pipes, PE pipes, and floor heating pipes and fittings for all types of pipes, with high quality and competitive prices. If you have any inquiries about pipes and fittings, please do not hesitate to contact us. You can click on the product to get in touch with us.