20 Plumbing Pipes Materials Used to Make Plumbing Pipes

Friends, we have learned about the types of pipes and joints, so let us now know about the different materials used in pipes by which different pipes are made.

The material used in pipes that we want a lot of space around us, but we do not know much about it, so let us know what that material is, which plumbing Pipes Materials Used to Make Plumbing Pipes, Where it is used except in pipes, Where are the properties of the material and how many hazards are associated with it, etc., so let’s, friends.

What Is Plumbing Pipes Materials?

The material used to make pipes is called pipe material. There are different types of pipe materials which are as follows.

Types of Plumbing Pipes Materials

• Steel
• Stainless Steel
• Carbon Steel
• Mild Steel
• Pvc (Polyvinyl Chloride)
• Copper
• Plastic
• Thermoplastic
• Iron
• Ductile Iron
• Cast Iron
• Brass
• Concrete
• Reinforced Concrete
• Polymer Concrete
• Lead
• Cross-Linked Polyethylene (Pex)
• Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (Cpvc)
• Aluminum
• Soil

Let us now study this material in the area,

1. Steel

Steel is an alloy made of iron. It is made with a tenth of a percent of carbon which increases its strength and ability to improve fracture resistance compared to other forms of iron. Steel is the most important engineering and building material in the world. It is also widely used around us.

Uses of Steel

1. Reinforcing bars in reinforced concrete
2. Railroad tracks
3. Modern buildings
4. Bridges
5. Wires
6. Infrastructure
7. Tools
8. Ships, trains, cars, rockets
9. Electrical appliances
10. Weapons

Advantages of Steel

Here, the pros of Steel are as follows.

1. Reliability
2. Industrial behavior
3. The nature of high strength and lightweight
4. Durability
5. Resilience
6. Strong
7. Recyclable

Disadvantages of Steel

Here, the cons of Steel are as follows.

1. Higher maintenance costs and more corrosion
2. Fireproofing costs
3. Sensitivity to buckling
4. High starting price / low availability

2. Stainless Steel

Stainless steel belongs to the group of ferrous alloys containing at least 11% chromium. In addition to chromium, stainless steel is made by mixing elements like nickel, carbon, manganese, molybdenum, nitrogen, sulfur, copper, and silicon to prevent iron from catching.

Also Read: Top 48 Outdoor Shower Plans

Uses of Stainless Steel

1. Cookware
2. Cutlery
3. Surgical instruments
4. Vehicles
5. Building materials in large buildings
6. In paper mills
7. Chemical plants
8. Water treatment
9. Chemical industry
10. Pharmaceutical
11. Food processing plants

Advantages of Stainless Steel

Here, the pros of Stainless steel are as follows.

1. Corrosion resistance
2. High-temperature resistance
3. Low-temperature resistance
4. Weldability
5. Formability
6. Controls magnetism
7. Durability
8. Easy to recycle

Disadvantages of Stainless Steel

Here, the cons of Stainless steel are as follows.

1. More expensive than other types of stuff
2. Frequent cleaning is required
3. Sometimes non-magnetic
4. Heavier than other types of metals
5. High scrap costs can also be generated

3. Carbon Steel

Carbon steel is the one type of steel that has a carbon content of about 0.05 to 2.1% by weight. It is made by adding 1.65 percent manganese, 0.60 percent silicon, 0.60 percent copper or less, and elements like chromium, cobalt, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, and zirconium.

Uses of Carbon Steel

1. Pipes
2. Crankshaft
3. Coupling
4. Structural steel
5. Sheet steel
6. Automobile panels
7. Low-temperature pressure vessels
8. Parts of machinery
9. Gears
10. Excels
11. Bolts
12. High strength wire
13. Cutting tools

Advantages of Carbon Steel

Here, the pros of Carbon steel are as follows.

1. Increased power
2. Less expensive than stainless steel
3. Durable
4. Shock resistant
5. Safer to handle and work than other metals
6. Environmentally friendly
7. Easy to recycle

Disadvantages of Carbon Steel

Here, the cons of Carbon steel are as follows.

1. Hard to work with
2. Can’t bend easily
3. It cannot be molded into different shapes
4. Corrosion is more likely

Also Read: Top 52 Inground Swimming Pool Designs

4. Mild Steel

Mild steel is carbon steel but has a very low carbon content (approximately 0.05-0.30%). As it is the most common form of steel, it can also be identified as plain-carbon steel or low-carbon steel. They are malleable and ductile due to their low carbon content. Mild steel has lower tensile strength and is relatively less expensive than other steel.

Uses of Mild Steel

1. Construction of the building
2. Pipelines
3. Automobile manufacturing
4. Wiring
5. Food cans
6. Fencing

Advantages of Mild Steel

Here, the pros of Mild steel are as follows.

1. Malleable and ductile
2. They are easy to work with as they cool easily
3. Machinability
4. Weldability
5. Magnetic
6. Can be molded into specific shapes

Disadvantages of Mild Steel

Here, the cons of Mild steel are as follows.

1. Relatively less strong
2. Limits of heat treatment

5. Pvc (Polyvinyl Chloride)

From the group of plastics, synthetic resins are made by the polymerization of chloride, which we know as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or vinyl. Thus it is in a rigid form. But it can be softened by adding plasticizers. Rigid PVC is commonly used for applications such as construction and plumbing.

Also Read: Top 50 Small Backyard Hot Tub Ideas

Uses of Pvc (Polyvinyl Chloride)

PVC is used for,

1. Pipes and fittings (drainage pipes, water service pipes)
2. Doors and windows
3. Construction
4. Blood storage bag
5. Cable and wire insulation
6. Flooring
7. Roofing membrane
8. Automotive interiors and seat coverings
9. Packaging
10. Credit cards

Advantages of Pvc (Polyvinyl Chloride)

Here, the pros of PVC are as follows.

1. Durable and lightweight
2. Fire resistant
3. Stress strength and impact resistance
4. Chemical resistance
5. Easily available and inexpensive polymer

Disadvantages of Pvc (Polyvinyl Chloride)

Here, the cons of PVC are as follows.

1. Relatively less strong
2. Limits of heat treatment
3. Easily cracked
4. Environmental and health hazards

6. Copper

Copper is one of the few metals that does not have a natural gray or silver color. Such pure copper is similar to orange-red in color but acquires a reddish stain when exposed to air. Like other metals, galvanic corrosion is more likely to occur if copper is exposed to other metals.

It is widely used in electrical industries as it is soft and a good conductor of electricity. Many important alloys are made from copper. Like brass and bronze are alloys made by mixing copper.

Exposure to water and air causes an oxidation process, which causes it to turn green. It is a metal used to make coins like gold and silver. But since it is the most common of the three, it is often used to make less valuable coins. Copper is also found in gun metals.

Uses of Copper

1. In electrical devices such as wiring and motors
2. In construction (roofing and plumbing)
3. Industrial machinery
4. Making important alloys
5. Gun metals
6. Cannons
7. Decorations
8. Coins

Advantages of Copper

Here, the pros of Copper are as follows.

1. Lightweight
2. Formable
3. Recyclable
4. Electrical conductor
5. Heat resistance
6. Corrosion resistance
7. Malleability
8. Ductility

Disadvantages of Copper

Here, the cons of Copper are as follows.

1. Shock Hazard
2. More expensive
3. Gets a reddish stain on exposure to air

7. Plastic

Plastic is a large range of synthetic or semi-synthetic materials that are commonly used in many places around us. Polymer is used as the main ingredient in it. Their plasticity makes it possible to mold, extrude or press the plastic into solid objects of various shapes.

Units of synthetic polymer repeat and form long chains of atoms, and they are often much longer than those found in nature. Polymer makes lightweight, strong, and flexible plastics by arranging these hundreds in length and pattern. And because it is cheaper than all the other materials, it is widely used.

Most modern plastics are made from chemicals such as natural gas or fossil fuels such as petroleum. Because plastic is so difficult to store and recycle, it can have a devastating effect on the environment, which is detrimental to health.

Due to this, its use in many industries is declining. Its partial use is also found in polymer implants and other medical devices. Around the world, the abundant production of plastics has become a matter of concern.

Uses of Plastic

1. Automobiles
2. Furniture
3. Toys
4. Packaging
5. Building and Construction
6. Cloth hanger
7. Consumer products
8. Transportation
9. Electrical and Electronics
10. Industrial machinery

Advantages of Plastic

Here, the pros of Plastic are as follows.

1. Product cost is low
2. Lightweight
3. Corrosion-resistant
4. Poor conductor of heat and electricity
5. Sustainable and long life
6. Resistance to chemicals and water

Disadvantages of Plastic

Here, the cons of Plastic are as follows.

1. The world’s water pollution is mainly from plastic
2. Not biodegradable
3. When burned it produces toxic fumes
4. Plastics become brittle at low temperatures
5. The cause of cancer
6. Harmful to animal and human health
7. Recycling is an expensive process

8. Thermoplastic

Thermoplastic is a plastic polymer material that becomes soft or moldable when heated and hardened when cooled. It is also called thermosoft plastic.

When it is heated it becomes weak and when it produces a viscous liquid it is cooled to its proper shape. This process does not change any of its chemical properties which makes it very easy to recycle.

Thermoplastics play a particularly important role in many products. Such as acrylic, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), nylon, polylactic acid (PLA), polybenzimidazole, polycarbonate (PC), polyether sulfone (PES), polyoxymethylene (POM), polyethylene (PE) ), Polyphenylene oxide (PPO), polyphenylene sulfide, polypropylene (PP), polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon), etc.

Uses of Thermoplastic

1. Gas and water pipes
2. Machine parts
3. Bearings
4. Gears
5. Artificial joints
6. Bulletproof vest
7. Chemical tanks
8. Toys
9. Shampoo bottle
10. Plastic bag
11. Packaging
12. Food container
13. Sanitary products
14. Heat resistant medical equipment
15. Ropes
16. Carpet
17. Car battery
18. Cable insulation
19. Storage bins

Advantages of Thermoplastic

Here, the pros of Thermoplastic are as follows.

1. Easily recycled
2. Mechanical properties
3. Light weight compared to metals
4. Good chemical resistance
5. Energy-efficient process

Disadvantages of Thermoplastic

Here, the cons of Thermoplastic are as follows.

1. Thermoplastics degrade more easily in direct sunlight
2. Not all thermoplastics resist hydrocarbons, organic solvents, and polar solvents.
3. Some types experience crawling under long-term loading
4. Fractures can occur instead of deforming under high stress

9. Iron

Iron is the fourth most common metal found in the earth’s crust. Iron is a brittle, hard substance that is mostly used to make steel. It is also believed that the main part of the earth is made of iron and that it may be abundant in the sun and stars.

Uses of Iron

1. Pipes
2. Valve
3. Pump
4. Bridge
5. Vehicles
6. Cutting tools
7. Rifle barrel
8. Electric motors
9. Generator
10. Transformers
11. Weapons
12. In the production of steel

Advantages of Iron

Here, the pros of Iron are as follows.

1. Found in abundance
2. Durability
3. Relatively inexpensive
4. Can be converted into various forms
5. High tensile strength
6. Good conductor of electricity
7. Magnetic properties

Disadvantages of Iron

Here, the cons of Iron are as follows.

1. Corrosion can occur in contact with water or air
2. It is brittle
3. More expensive than other materials like concrete
4. Being overweight makes it difficult to move from one place to another

10. Ductile Iron

Ductile iron is a type of cast iron filled with spherical graphite hence it is also called spherical graphite iron or spherical graphite cast iron. Apart from that ductile cast iron is also known as nodular cast iron and SG iron.

Ductile iron has greater impact and fatigue resistance due to its unique microstructure while most varieties of cast iron are weak in stress and brittleness.

Uses of Ductile Iron

1. Pipes and plumbing
2. Axels
3. Crankshaft
4. Cylinders
5. Gears and gearboxes
6. Off-highway diesel truck
7. Agricultural tractor
8. In the oil well pump
9. As a hub and machine frame in the wind energy industry

Advantages of Ductile Iron

Here, the pros of Ductile iron are as follows.

1. Can be easily cast and machined
2. Cost much lower than steel
3. Excellent wear resistance
4. Prevents the formation of cracks
5. More impact and fatigue resistance

Disadvantages of Ductile Iron

Here, the cons of Ductile iron are as follows.

1. Higher production costs than gray iron
2. Low-pressure resistance
3. Prone to external and internal corrosion
4. Internal and external security systems are required
5. Polyethylene wrappings can be damaged

11. Cast Iron

Cast iron is a material made from carbon-iron alloys that mix 2% to 4% carbon into iron. It can easily corrode, chip, or crack. Its main advantage is that it has a very high heat capacity. There are three main types of cast iron.

1. White cast iron
2. Gray cast iron and
3. Ductile cast iron

Ductile cast iron is stronger than both white and gray cast irons, while gray cast irons are stronger than white cast irons, but generally gray and white cast irons are brittle.

Uses of Cast Iron

1. Pipe
2. large buildings or bridges
3. Making kitchen utensils
4. Gears
5. Dies
6. Automotive parts
7. Anchors for ships

Advantages of Cast Iron

Here, the pros of Cast iron are as follows.

1. Low cost
2. Very brittle
3. High compressive strength
4. High wear resistance
5. Good casting characteristics
6. Melting point is lower than steel

Disadvantages of Cast Iron

Here, the cons of Cast iron are as follows.

1. Corrosion is likely
2. Poor tensile strength
3. Parts section is sensitive
4. Poor impact resistance
5. It has a weaker mechanical capacity than steel
6. High brittleness
7. Is non-machineable (white cast iron)

12. Brass

Brass is an alloy made up of large amounts of tentacles and small amounts of zinc. In which small amounts of zinc can also be found. Brass is more degraded than bronze and zinc. It has long been used for decoration because of its luscious gold-like appearance.

It is also used in making utensils due to its electrical and thermally conductive properties. It is used in many machines due to its low melting point, high efficiency, and durability properties.

Also Read: Top 40 Outside Toilet Ideas

Uses of Brass

1. Plumbing (pipe, hose coupling, valve)
2. Locks
3. Hinges
4. Gears
5. Bearings
6. Zippers
7. Electrical plugs and sockets
8. Ammunition casing
9. Musical instruments
10. Costume
11. Fashion Jewelry

Advantages of Brass

Here, the pros of Brass are as follows.

1. Wide versatility
2. Exceptional adaptability
3. Durable
4. Corrosion resistance
5. High-temperature tolerance
6. Very Malleable
7. Aesthetics
8. Anti-bacterial property

Disadvantages of Brass

Here, the cons of Brass are as follows.

1. Zinc exposure will change from dark reddish-brown to light silvery-yellow
2. Not as strong as steel
3. Likely to blacken

13. Concrete

Concrete is a cement paste made by mixing water with cement and sand or gravel which hardens over time. It is used so much in the world that it has become the second most used substance in the world.

It is commonly used in building materials as it is very strong, fire-resistant, and can be turned into any shape.

Uses of Concrete

1. Big bridge
2. Large pipeline
3. Bricks
4. Tiles
5. Plumbing
6. Roof

Advantages of Concrete

Here, the pros of Concrete are as follows.

1. Easily Available
2. Easy to Shape
3. Extremely Versatile
4. Energy efficient
5. Durable
6. Recyclable

Disadvantages of Concrete

Here, the cons of Concrete are as follows.

1. Low hardness
2. The weight of the comparison is greater than its strength
3. Concrete may contain soluble salts that cause efflorescence
4. Concrete is a semi-brittle material
5. Low tensile strength
6. Formwork required
7. Long healing time
8. Working with cracks
9. Demands strict quality control

14. Reinforced Concrete (Rc)

Reinforced concrete (Rc) is also known by two other names: Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) or Ferro concrete. It has a low tensile strength of concrete and high tensile strength to compensate for softness. So it has the property of being strong as well as soft.

It is usually dormant and embedded in the concrete before it is set. In terms of corrosion engineering, when well-designed, the alkalinity of concrete protects steel ribs from corrosion. Reinforced concrete pipes or RCP pipes are made from Reinforced concrete.

Uses of Reinforced Concrete (Rc)

1. Plumbing pipe
2. Construction Slabs
3. Walls
4. Beams
5. Commons
6. Foundations
7. Frames

Advantages of Reinforced Concrete (Rc)

Here, the pros of Reinforced concrete (Rc) are as follows.

1. High compressive strength
2. Strong and durable
3. Fire and weather resistance
4. Moldable

Advantages of Reinforced Concrete

Here, the cons of Reinforced concrete are as follows.

1. The tensile strength is one-tenth of its compressive strength
2. Mixing, casting, and curing affect the final strength
3. The cost of the form used for casting is relatively high
4. The compression causes the cracks to grow and lose strength
5. Once the reinforced concrete is poured, we have to wait until it gains strength.
6. Reinforced concrete can easily corrode due to the presence of steel
7. Construction takes longer due to reinforcement

15. Polymer Concrete

Polymer concrete is a composite concrete containing a synthetic polymer inside a concrete binding material in which the polymer is used as a binder to replace lime-type cement.

Polymers are also used to make Portland Cement, Polymer Cement Concrete (PCC), and Polymer Modified Concrete (PMC). It is more expensive than binder cement but it has less impermeability, high durability, and good resistance to corrosion.

Uses of Polymer Concrete

1. Swimming pool
2. Drainage channels
3. Asphalt pavement
4. In the skate park
5. Nuclear power plant
6. Electrical or industrial construction
7. Marine works
8. Acid tanks
9. Highway
10. Desalination plant
11. Repair of damaged concrete

Advantages of Polymer Concrete

Here, the pros of Polymer concrete are as follows.

1. Quick healing
2. High tensile strength
3. Compressive strength
4. Good abrasion resistance
5. Good engagement
6. Durability
7. Low permeability and water tightness
8. Lightweight

Disadvantages of Polymer Concrete

Here, the cons of Polymer concrete are as follows.

1. Much more expensive than conventional concrete
2. Requires high skills and precise work when mixing
3. Improper proportions of the two-component materials can occur, thus proper blending design is required
4. The chemicals or resins used in it can be dangerous so it is important to use masks and hand gloves to protect the skin

16. Lead

Lead is a natural element that is found in very small amounts in the soil. It is a heavy and dense material. It is a soft and fragile element with a low melting point.

When the lead is cut it looks like white silver with a blue color, but when exposed to air it turns a dull gray color. It is very harmful to human and animal health.

Uses of Lead

1. Construction
2. Plumbing
3. Battery
4. Bullet
5. Lead gasoline
6. Radiation shielding

Advantages of Lead

Here, the pros of Lead are as follows.

1. Melting point low
2. Easy to solder due to being soft and malleable
3. High density

Disadvantages of Lead

Here, the cons of Lead are as follows.

1. Exposure to high levels of lead can lead to anemia, weakness, damage to the kidneys and brain, and often death.
2. Lead exposure can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, and infertility (in both men and women)
3. Lead exposure is a global problem.
4. Skin contact can be significant for people working with organic lead compounds

Also Read: What Is Hollow Brick Masonry And Their Uses

17. Cross-Linked Polyethylene (Pex)

Cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) is usually a plastic form of medium or high-density polyethylene with cross-linked. It is an excellent choice in the service line due to its advanced heat resistance and long-lasting strength and stability properties. It is commonly used in hot- and cold drinking water distribution systems.

Pex material is used for hydraulic radiant heating, cooling systems, domestic water piping, high-tension electrical cables, natural gas, offshore oil applications, chemical transport, and transportation of sewers and slurries.

Uses of Pex (Cross-Linked Polyethylene)

Pex material is used for

1. Hydraulic radiant heating
2. Cooling systems
3. Domestic water piping
4. High tension electrical cables
5. Natural gas pipe
6. Offshore oil application
7. Chemical transport
8. Sewer
9. Transport of slurries
10. In a fire-sprinkler system

Advantages of Pex (Cross-Linked Polyethylene)

Here, the pros of Pex (Cross-linked polyethylene) are as follows.

1. Durability
2. Decrease in the number of plumbing joints
3. Chlorine and chloramines resistance
4. Corrosion resistance
5. Lightweight and easy to transport
6. Drinking water safety and long-term reliability

Disadvantages of Pex (Cross-Linked Polyethylene)

Here, the cons of Pex (Cross-linked polyethylene) are as follows.

1. May leach BPA and other toxic chemicals
2. Extremely sensitive to UV light
3. PEX can be damaged by chemicals and insects
4. Problems with yellow brass fittings
5. Odor, chemical taste, and potential health effects

18. Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (Cpvc)

Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) material is a strong and rigid thermoplastic produced by chlorination of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resins. CPVC is way more flexible than PVC and is able to withstand even higher temperatures. It is commonly used in hot and cold water distribution pipes.

CPVC, like PVC, is considered safe for transportation and use of drinking water but is used more in industries as it is more expensive than PVC. CPVC is widely used in plumbing pipes.

Uses of Cpvc (Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride)

1. Local delivery of hot and cold drinking water
2. Commercial plumbing
3. In sewers, waste and venting pipes
4. Chemical synthesis and transfer
5. Agricultural fertilizers and irrigation
6. Chemical process
7. Chlor alkali
8. Mineral mining and development
9. Electrical power generation

Advantages of Cpvc (Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride )

Here, the pros of CPVC are as follows.

1. Relatively low cost
2. High heat distortion temperature
3. The high glass transition temperature
4. Chemically resistant
5. Outstanding mechanical properties
6. dielectric properties
7. flame and smoke properties
8. Flexible and strong
9. Corrosion-resistant

Disadvantages of Cpvc (Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride )

Here, the cons of CPVC are as follows.

1. Not chemically resistant to all chemicals
2. Direct exposure to sunlight can damage CPVC materials
3. CPVC produces toxic fumes when ignited

19. Aluminum

Aluminum is a chemical element. The density of aluminum is lower than that of ordinary metals and is about one-third that of steel. Aluminum looks like silver because of its color. It is soft and non-magnetic.

Uses of Aluminum

1. Bins
2. Foil
3. Kitchen utensils
4. Window frames
5. Kegs of beer
6. Airplane parts
7. In electrical transmission lines
8. Telescope Mirrors
9. Decorative paper
10. Packages
11. Toys
12. Engineering
13. Construction

Advantages of Aluminum

Here, the pros of Aluminum are as follows.

1. Non-magnetic
2. Reflects light
3. Soft and ductile

Disadvantages of Aluminum

Here, the cons of Aluminum are as follows.

1. An expensive and lengthy welding process
2. Dented and scratched more easily than steel
3. It is more expensive than steel

20. Soil

Soil, also known as the earth. It is made up of a mixture of these five elements, organic matter, minerals, gases, liquids, and organisms (dead and living). Soil colors are usually brown, yellow, red, gray, white, and black. In many places, there is also rare colored soil like green and blue.

Soil gives us things like clean air, water, clothes on our backs, shelter, and food for plants and animals, without which life is not possible, so we should be thankful for soil.

Uses of Soil

1. Pipe
2. Sculpting
3. In arts and crafts
4. Pottery
5. Decoration
6. Construction products (bricks, walls, and floor tiles)
7. Earthenware
8. Smoking pipes
9. Making paper
10. Making cement

Advantages of Soil

Here, the pros of Soil are as follows.

1. Versatile
2. Energy-efficient
3. Durable
4. Aesthetic
5. Saves time and money
6. Fixed in value
7. Easily recycled
8. Insulator of electricity

---

Like this post? Share it with your friends!

Suggested Read –

• Driven Pile Foundation
• What Are Bond Breakers
• What Is a Concrete Cistern Tank?
• Difference Between Beam and Column
• What Is Plumbing Pipe And Their Types

---