Alexei Volkov
Plastic piping has been used for decades, with the first plastic pipes being made from PVC. PVC was discovered in 1835, but it wasn't until 1932 that the first tubes made from a PVC copolymer were produced, and 1935 that the first PVC pipes were produced. PVC piping was first installed in Germany in the 1930s, and some of these pipes are still in use today. After World War II, the use of PVC piping exploded, and it began to be used in the United States for transporting potable water. Other plastic pipes, such as those made from polyethylene, became popular in the 1950s and 1960s, with manufacturers touting their ability to handle high temperatures and their cost-effectiveness. Today, plastic pipes are commonly used in a variety of applications, including plumbing, electrical, gas, and mining.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of PVC discovery | 1835 |
| First use of PVC pipes | 1932 |
| First use of PVC pipes for drinking water and wastewater | 1936 |
| PVC pipes installed in central Germany | 1930s |
| PVC pipes installed in the US | 1950s |
| First plastic to sell over a billion pounds a year in the US | Polyethylene |
| Polyethylene used for piping applications | 1959 |
| PVC pipes installed in California | 1971 |
| PVC pipes installed in West Goshen Township, PA | 1969 |
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What You'll Learn
PVC pipes were first installed in Germany in the 1930s
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a versatile and workable material that has revolutionised plumbing and other utilities. Its unique benefits include durability, toughness, inertness to chemicals, heat resistance, and smooth finish. PVC was first discovered in 1835, but it remained a laboratory curiosity for many years due to its intractable nature.
In the 1920s, attempts were made to use PVC copolymers, and by 1932, the first tubes made from PVC copolymer were produced. Soon after, in the 1930s, the first PVC pipes were manufactured using a roll mill and hydraulic extruder. This two-step process involved melting the PVC powder on a roll mill and rolling the sheet into a billet. The PVC was then extruded into pipes.
Germany was at the forefront of this innovation, recognising the superior properties of PVC over metal for water transportation. From 1936 to 1939, over 400 residences in central Germany were installed with PVC drinking water and wastewater pipelines. Various test pipelines were also laid in Leipzig, Dresden, Magdeburg, Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Heidelberg, and Wiesbaden between 1936 and 1941.
The PVC pipes installed in central Germany during the 1930s have proven remarkably durable, with some still in use today without any major issues, attesting to the longevity of this piping material. This early adoption of PVC pipes in Germany paved the way for its future success and widespread use in plumbing and other applications worldwide.
While PVC pipes have become a common fixture in modern plumbing, it is important to note that they faced initial challenges due to their rigidity. The development of flexible plastics helped address this issue, making PVC pipes even more versatile and adaptable to various installations.
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PVC is resistant to light, water, and chemicals
The history of PVC piping is a complicated one. While PVC was discovered as early as 1835, it remained a laboratory curiosity for many years. It wasn't until the 1930s in Germany that PVC plastics were used for water transportation, as they were superior to metal as they did not rust or corrode. PVC piping was also installed in Germany in the 1930s, some of which are still in use today. By the 1950s, PVC had made its way to the United States, where it was used to transport potable water.
PVC is known for its resistance to light, water, and chemicals, which makes it a popular choice for plumbing and other utilities. Its resistance to corrosion and oxidation from water means it is ideal for transporting clean drinking water and sewage. It is also used for waste pipes, drainpipes, gutters, and downspouts. PVC's resistance to sunlight and UV light means it is often used for window frames and sills, as well as vinyl siding, fascia, and weatherboarding.
PVC is also resistant to a wide range of chemicals, including many alcohols, fats, oils, and aromatic-free petrol. It is also compatible with distilled water and deionized water. This makes it a popular choice for water supply work and other applications where chemical exposure is a factor. However, it is important to note that PVC is not resistant to all chemicals and can be affected by certain substances, such as glutaraldehyde-based products and alcohols used in disinfectants.
The flexibility of PVC has also been improved through the combination of flexible plastics, making it more durable and less prone to bursting or breaking during installation. This has further increased the popularity of PVC in plumbing and other applications.
Overall, the resistance of PVC to light, water, and chemicals, along with its flexibility and durability, has made it a versatile and widely used material in construction and other industries.
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Flexible plastics are now used in PVC pipes to prevent bursting
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) was discovered as early as 1835, but it remained a laboratory curiosity for many years. In the 1930s, Germany recognised its properties as being superior to metal for water purposes, as it did not rust or corrode. This marked a shift from the traditional iron piping that had been used for centuries. By the 1950s, PVC had made its way into the United States, where it was used for transporting potable water.
However, PVC had one significant drawback: it lacked flexibility and extensibility. This shortcoming led to the innovation of combining PVC with flexible plastics, which addressed the issue of pipes bursting under extreme water pressure or during installation.
Flexible plastics, such as polyethylene, have been used in piping since the late 1950s and early 1960s. Polyethylene's ability to handle high temperatures made it a popular replacement for glass in various applications, including piping. The flexible nature of these plastics, when combined with PVC, eliminated the rigidity of pure PVC pipes.
Today, flexible plastics are used in PVC pipes to enhance their toughness and impact resistance. This innovation has resulted in thinner walls for modified PVC pipes, improving hydraulic properties and reducing material usage. The addition of modifying polymers also improves resistance to cracking, minimising the impact of stress concentrators like scratches.
PVC pipes are now categorised into four main types: PVC-U (unplasticised PVC), C-PVC (chlorinated PVC), PVC-O (molecular oriented PVC), and modified PVC. Each type offers unique advantages and applications. For example, C-PVC's higher chlorine content compared to PVC-U makes it more ductile and capable of withstanding a broader range of temperatures, making it a popular choice for water piping systems in residential and commercial construction.
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Polyethylene manufacturers found a receptive market for their new plastic in 1959
The appeal of polyethylene to manufacturers and various industries was driven by several key advantages. Firstly, polyethylene's ability to withstand high temperatures made it an ideal substitute for glass in baby bottles and liquid detergent containers. This heat resistance, along with its flexibility, toughness, and chemical resistance, made it a versatile material for a range of applications.
The electrical, gas, potable water, and mining industries were among the early adopters of polyethylene. They recognised its potential as a cost-effective alternative for piping and insulation. Polyethylene's flexibility and durability addressed the limitations of rigid materials like iron and concrete, which had been used for centuries.
Polyethylene's versatility extended beyond piping. It found applications in packaging, with manufacturers utilising its mouldable nature to create bottles, bags, and packages for frozen foods. This versatility contributed to the rapid expansion of the polyethylene market and the establishment of a multi-billion-dollar industry.
The popularity of polyethylene continued to grow, and by the late 1950s and early 1960s, it had become ubiquitous. It was the first plastic in the United States to surpass sales of over a billion pounds per year, solidifying its position as the largest volume plastic globally. The characteristics of high-density polyethylene, in particular, made it a favoured choice for piping installations and rehabilitation projects due to its simplicity, durability, and cost-effectiveness.
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PVC was discovered in 1835
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is one of the most important polymers and widely used plastic materials in the world. It is also considered one of the oldest synthetic materials in the history of industry.
PVC was first discovered in 1835 by French chemist Henri Victor Regnault. Regnault stumbled upon the material while processing heated ethylene chloride (also known as Dutch oil). He attempted to decompose the oil by heating it with an alcoholic substance of potassium hydroxide, obtaining the monomer of vinyl chloride. The vinyl chloride monomer was accidentally left in the sun, and a white powder emerged that was later identified as polyvinyl chloride, or PVC.
Despite this discovery, the first definite report of the polymerization of vinyl chloride did not occur until about 35 years later. At this time, PVC was reported to be an off-white solid that could be heated to 130 degrees Celsius without degradation. However, PVC remained a laboratory curiosity for many years, likely due to its intractable nature.
It wasn't until 1912 that the first industrial developments of PVC were initiated in Germany. Throughout the 1920s, attempts were made to use PVC copolymers, which were easier to process than pure PVC. By 1932, the first tubes made from PVC copolymers were produced, and in 1935, the first PVC pipes were manufactured using a roll mill and hydraulic extruder.
During the 1930s, Germany began using PVC pipes for water transportation, recognising its superior properties to metal as it did not rust or corrode. By the 1950s, PVC production soared globally, and it became widely used in various industries, including construction, electrical insulation, and plumbing. Today, PVC remains a versatile and durable material, valued for its resistance to light, chemicals, and corrosion.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic pipes began to be installed in the 1930s, with over 400 residences in central Germany being installed with PVC drinking water and waste pipelines from 1936 to 1939.
Plastic pipes were recognised as being superior to metal pipes due to their durability, toughness, and resistance to corrosion. They were also cheaper to manufacture and install.
PVC, the plastic used for pipes, was discovered as early as 1835 by French scientist Henri Victor Regnault. German chemistry researcher Eugen Baumann also synthesized PVC in 1872. However, it wasn't until the 1930s that the first PVC pipes were produced.
Plastic pipe is an increasingly popular pipe material today, used for a variety of applications, including sewer laterals, residential plumbing, gas distribution, and chemical processing.
