Plastics and Polymers

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is one of the preferred materials for plumbing fixtures because these are easy to install, durable, and cost less. PVC is basically a thermoplastic polymer, which is widely used along with polyethylene and polypropylene. About half of the world's polyvinyl chloride is used for manufacturing fittings.

What is a PVC coupling?

For plumbing purposes various types of fittings are available. Coupling is one type of fixture that allows two pipes to be brazed together. It is a very short pipe or tube and bears a socket at one or both ends. This socket allows two tubes or pipes to be welded and soldered together.

These combination fittings come in very short lengths coupled with two female national pipe threads (NPT). In North America, a nipple is regarded as a double male fitting while a coupler is regarded as a double female fitting. These fixtures are fitted with the coupler.

The two ends should be same for a coupler. If the two ends are different then it is called an adapter. For example, if one end is national pipe threaded and the other end is British pipe threaded then the device will be called an adapter and not a coupler. In PVC coupling there can be one threaded socket and one plain socket. A national pipe threaded socket may vary in its sizes. When the two ends of a coupler are of different sizes then it is referred to as reducing coupling.

Why will you opt for PVC couplings?

Copper, cast iron, and the other plastics may be used for manufacturing these fixtures. The question arises as to why you should choose for this particular type of device when other types are available in the market. The obvious answer is this mode of plumbing is the cheapest and yet most durable form of plumbing.

This type of fixtures is very useful for difficult plumbing tasks. Plumbers find it very easy to install these in drainage systems and can work very fast. Then this type of fixtures does not pose a risk of fire during installation. This is because