Comparison of PVC and HDPE
Material Properties of PVC and HDPE
The material properties of PVC make PVC a better choice than HDPE for many applications. The following table lists the properties for both PVC and HDPE that are most important to the design of piping systems:
| Property | Specification | PVC | HDPE 3408/36081 | HDPE 47102 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength (PSI) | ASTM D638 | 7,000 | 3,200 | 3,500 |
| Specific Gravity | ASTM D1505 | 1.40 | 0.95 | 0.94 |
| ASTM D3350 Cell Class | ASTM D3350 | NA3 | 345464 | 445574 |
| Hydrostatic Design Basis @73° F (PSI) | ASTM D2837 | 4,000 | 1,600 | 1,600 |
| Modulus of Elasticity - Short Term (PSI) | ASTM D638 | 400,000 | 110,0004 | 110,0004 |
| Hardness (Rockwell R) | ASTM D785 | 117 | 52 | NA |
| Coefficient of Linear Expansion (in./in.°F) | ASTM D696 | 0.30 x10-4 (0.36"/100'/10°F) | 1.2x10-4 (1.44"/100'/10°F) | 1.2x10-4 (1.44"/100'/10°F) |
| Water Disinfectant Induced Oxidation5 | - | Highly Resistant | Low Resistance | Low Resistance |
| Hydrocarbon Permeation6 | - | Highly Resistant | Highly Permeable | Highly Permeable |
1. HDPE 3408/3608 also referred to as PE80
2. HDPE 4710 also referred to as PE100
3. PVC Pipe Cell Class per ASTM D1784 (12454)
4. PPI - PE Handbook - Long Term Modulus of Elasticity is 28,200 psi
5. Carollo Engineers 2008, Choi 2008, Chung 2008, Fumire 2008, Rozental 2008, Castegnetti 2007, Audouin 2007,
Dear 2006, Lundback 2005, Hassinen 2004
6. AWWA Research Foundation 2007 (now WRF)
Pressure Class Comparison
| PVC | HDPE | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimension Ratio | Pressure Rating | Dimension Ratio | Pressure Rating |
| DR 18 | 235 PSI | DR 7.3 | 255 PSI |
| DR 21 | 200 PSI | DR 9 | 200 PSI |
| DR 25 | 165 PSI | DR 11 | 160 PSI |
| DR 32.5 | 125 PSI | DR 13.5 | 130 PSI |
| DR 41 | 100 PSI | DR 17 | 100 PSI |
| DR 51 | 80 PSI | DR 21 | 80 PSI |
Sample Pipe Comparisons
- Horizontal Directional Drilling
Fusible PVC™ will require a smaller bore hole diameter than other pipe systems. A smaller bore-hole diameter means that there will be less back reaming, less drilling mud, and less spoil disposal. The following comparisons illustrate these advantages.
- 8" DR 25 Fusible PVC™ versus 10" DR 11 HDPE
- 16" DR 18 Fusible PVC™ versus 20" DR 9 HDPE
- 24" DR 32.5 Fusible PVC™ versus 30" DR 13.5 HDPE
- Sliplining
Fusible PVC™ generally offers the largest internal diameter in a slipline material. The comparisons below show how Fusible PVC™ can offer a larger flow area, and therefore reduced pumping costs.
18" DR 25 Fusible PVC™ versus 18" DR 11 HDPE: