UPVC Pipe Systems - General characteristics

The company Akatherm FIP GmbH located in Mannheim is a leading provider of UPVC-pipe components with long-term experience in plastic pipe systems. The quality of our products and the services provided by Akatherm FIP underlie a strict standard of quality. Additional to UPVC pipes, extruded UPVC plain fittings and UPVC threaded fittings, we also offer the different accoutrements needed for pipe installations.

Silicon-free produced products, flanges and seals, as well as fixing material round off our selection of products. The following details were gathered with best knowledge and care. Nonetheless it’s not possible to trace back a reliability from the given information.

UPVC is a chlorinated, amorphous thermoplastic. The Akatherm FIP products are made of hard PVC (without plasticizers). Products made out of this material play an important role in the industrial building of conduits because of their material specific features.
Material property

The following material data are guidelines, which might differ depending on the chosen treatment. Therefore they can’t be taken over for the finished product.

For further information on all Kwerk GmbH products and services contact our Customer Services Department as detailed below.

Customer Services
Tel: 0049 2602 999730
Fax: 0049 2602 9907329
Email: info@kwerk.de

Material-Properties

- The UPVC is basically inert to most inorganic bases, acids, saline solutions and paraffinical/aliphatic hydrocarbons. It is not recommended for use with polar
organic solvent, including chlorinated and aromatic types.
- The unique molecular structure grants a low coefficient of ther-mal conductivity (λ= 0,15 W/m °C according to ASTM C177). It virtually eliminates condensation and offers superior heat retention reducing heat loss through piping walls.
- Low permeability to oxygen and reduced water absorption (0,1% at 23°C according toASTM D 570).
- Good resistance to ageing, thanks to the chemical and physical properties of the UPVC resin.
- All components are suitable for conveying potable water, beverages and food. The basic resins employed are all NSF approved.

Characteristic	Value	Unit of Measure
Density	1,38	g/cm³
ZOD notched impact strenght at (23°C)	50	J/m
Tensile elongation break	50	%
Thermal conductivity 23°C	0,15	W/(m °C)
Tensile strengh	50	MPa = N/mm 2
VICAT softening point (B/50)	76	°C
Coefficient of linear thermal expansion	8 x 10-5	m/(m °C)

Pressure-Temperature-graph

The graph is based on a surrounding temperature of 20°C and water as a medium. The pressures in the chart are valid for a life span of 25 years and an included safety margin of 2.5.

Concerning the admissible working pressure for fixing material made out of UPVC we refer to the PN-data for the accoutrements (20°C and Water). For different temperatures or mediums please make reference to our product management.

Advantages of the UPVC-System

The material UPVC is characterized by its hardness, dimensional stability and exceptional chemical resistance which result from the interaction of the chlorine atoms in the polymer chain. These characteristics predestine the material UPVC to be used in the production of pipe installations under pressure.

Behaviour of UPVC when used outside

UPVC is weather resistant in middle European climate zones north of the Alps even under the influence of the short wave UV-parts of the sunlight. Nonetheless UPVC loses a little bit of its impact-resistance and therefore it is to your advantage to protect the material by using an Isolation system, a cover or a protective coating in case the product is used under extreme conditions.

Chemical resistance

UPVC has an exceptional chemical resistance, even under the influence of high temperatures or medium concentrations. In comparison to a multitude of dilute or concentrated acids and bases , alkalis and aliphatic compounds, UPVC is rated as resistant. It shows weaknesses when confronted with mediums like ester, ketone, chlorinated hydrocarbons and several other solvents. UPVC is not resistant towards strong oxidants.

The chemical resistance depends on multiple factors, for example the operating temperature, the operating pressure, the concentration and other influences. If you have a special request you can look up the resistance in our resistance list or contact our product management.

Temperature- and pressure range of application

UPVC is usable in a temperature range from 0°C up to 60°C. Temperatures higher than 60°C soften the material relatively fast. Under 0°C the impact-resistance decreases, therefore Akatherm FIP doesn’t recommend the use of UPVC in this range of temperature. Concerning the internal pressure capacity of tubes and patterns we refer to the graph under the section Pressure-Temperature-graph. For details regarding the maximum internal pressure capacity of accoutrements please note the additional comments regarding the accoutrement or make reference to our product management.

Electrical property

UPVC is a polar, amorphous thermoplastic with exceptional insulation properties. Because of the possibly resulting static electricity UPVC can’t be used in situations where a danger of inflammation or explosion exists.

Low weight

UPVC systems weigh only half in comparison to copper pipe installations and only 1/5 compared to steel pipe installations. This simplifies the handling and new fields of application are possible, in which UPVC can replace metallic systems because of its special characteristics.

As all thermoplastic plastics UPVC has a relatively high thermic coefficient of expansion (0,08 mm/m °C). This fact has to be taken into consideration during the planning of the tube system. There exist several possibilities: Installation of an expansion arc or compensators as well as clamping them at fixed points. In order to do this, sound knowledge of the use of plastic is necessary and we recommend to calculate the planned system with the help of a computer program.

Easy connection

UPVC tube components are connected to each other with adherence. The production of such glued joints requires expertise, which can be acquired in classes held by Akatherm FIP. Concerning the adherence please take into consideration the special guidelines from the adhesive supplier or the published instructions from the KRV (Kunststoffrohrverband e.V.) as well as the corresponding DVS-explanatory leaflets.

Pipe clamp distances

Pipe clamp distances for tubes made of UPVC (PN 10) in a medium with a density <1 g/cm³

pipe diamter in mm	20°C	30°C	40°C	50°C	60°C
16	950	900	850	750	600
20	1100	1050	1000	900	700
25	1200	1150	1050	950	750
32	1350	1300	1250	1100	900
40	1450	1400	1350	1250	1000
50	1600	1550	1500	1400	1150
63	1800	1750	1700	1550	1300
75	2000	1900	1850	1700	1450
90	2200	2100	2000	1850	1550
110	2400	2300	2250	2050	1750
125	2550	2450	2400	2200	1850
140	2700	2600	2500	2300	1950
160	2900	2800	2700	2500	2100
180	3100	2950	2850	2650	2200
200	3250	3150	3000	2800	2350
225	3450	3300	3200	2950	2500
250	3650	3500	3350	3100	2600
280	3750	3700	3550	3300	2750
315	4100	3900	3750	3500	2950