Plastics, a very ignorable thing, yet a major part of our life. Over the years, plastic has become more than just any other material. With their versatility, they sparked scientific curiosity, and they have been designed to serve multiple purposes, well, you can say plastics are shaping our future.
Out of many such products, which has become a part of life, plastic pipe is one of them. Made out of plastic, they are a tubular section or a hollow cylinder. Plastic pipes are usually, but not necessarily, of circular cross-section, which is mainly used to convey substance that flows like liquid and gases, powders, slurries and masses of small solids. However, they can be used for structural applications too. And like every part of the world, Nepal is no different, plastic pipes in Nepal has gained a huge market and is very much on demand.
The multiple uses of plastic pipes is just way too much; it is used for the conveyance of drinking water, wastewater, chemicals, foodstuffs, heating fluid, and cooling fluids, gases, ultra-pure liquids, slurries, compressed air, and vacuum system application; form household to big industries, plastic pipes serves every field.
Are Plastic pipes safe?
Plastic pipes in Nepal is booming like never, for irrigation to farmers to construction for businessman; it is the best there is. But there are questions as well, are plastic pipes-safe to use? Are they safe for the environment?
Plastic pipe is a sustainable and environmentally responsible choice that has been serving us the best, and that will serve the generation to come as well. Also, they are manufactured as energy efficient and provides peak protection from contamination during service. As plastic pipes are strong, durable, light-weight and flexible, they require significantly less energy to fabricate, transport and install than metal or concrete alternatives.
Plastic pipes have superior resistance to corrosion and abrasion, and they have an exceptionally long life, excellent joint performance, and other leak-free protection too.
What are the different types of Plastic Pipes in Nepal?
HDPE Pipe
HDPE Pipes are probably the most used and favored one amongst all the plastic pipes. As it is a plastic pipe, it is obviously flexible, that is used for fluid and gas transfer. It’s strong-built has increased its use even more to replace aging concrete and steel mains pipelines.
The pipe is made of thermoplastic high-density polyethylene, which confirms its high level of impermeability and strong molecular bond making it suitable for high-pressure pipelines. This plastic pipe in Nepal serves many applications like irrigation, water, mains, gas mains, sewer mains, drainage pipes, electrical and communications conduit and many more. HDPE comes in back color with a very smooth internal and external surface, and they can be reasonably expected to last up to more than 100 years.
PVC Pipe
PVC pipes are the most commonly used plastic pipe in Nepal. From drinking water to the drainage system to advanced fire-sprinkler system, PVC pipes are widely used. This pipe is very safe for the transportation of drinking water as they have a high degree of inertness and resistance to corrosion. Likewise, PVC pipes are durable and cost-efficient. Most importantly, they are easily recyclable and can be recycled several times without losing their technical properties.
They are very rigid as industrial pipes, pliable as plastic wrap and thin and flexible as wall covering. It is mostly used in plumbing works because of its lightweight and easiness in handling in high buildings. Some of its other benefits are, it has watertight joints, long length, flame resistance, lower installation cost, and chemical and biological resistance.
PPR Pipe
PPR pipe is yet another popular choice for plastic pipes in Nepal. They are also considered as the most reliable plastic pipe in plumbing and water supply plants because of its chemical features and fusion welding that ensures plumbing to have a perfect seal tight system. Further, the pipe can be used as both cold or hot water pipe.
PPR pipe is very lightweight, which makes it more portable and easy to install. Its heat resistance capacity is quite good too; it can be used for over five years under 70-degree Celsius, for a short period up to 95-degree Celsius and likewise, its softening point is 131.3-degree Celsius. The pipe can provide service for 50 years easily, it is non-poisonous and harmless, and it has good thermal insulation properties.
CPVC Pipe
Like every other plastic pipe, CVPC pipes also comes with multiple applications; industrial purpose, column and pressure piping system and other agricultural used. It is a high-temperature plastic pressure system that was introduced for portable plumbing in the year 1959. It has also been serving as fire sprinkler system since 1985.
CPVC pipes have long-term reliability, lightweight, resistance to corrosion, noise and water hammer resistance and many other features. It can be used for both hot and cold water plumbing distribution for residential as well as commercial purpose.