Both our Metric and Imperial Clear PVC pipe has the same operational properties
as our standard grey tube however the fittings differ. Clear fittings are only manufactured, to any degree
of
quality for use in industrial systems, in imperial (inch) sizes. Those that we stock are part of the
Eviclear™ range which although designed primarily construction and demonstration purposes, are
manufactured to US
Schedule 40 specifications. We recommend that our transparent fittings are used at maximum pressures of 5
bar.
Clear pvc pipe and fittings have a number of industrial applications such as:
Sightglasses to inspect levels in tankers, header tanks and silos.
Demonstration systems of both industrial and domestic plumbing processes where the process can be
viewed.
Inspection for the presence of liquid such as in drain lines, process lines & condensation
traps.
Inspection and evidencing of correct mixing in closed process lines.
Creative pipe and tube projects for sculpture and the film and media industries. Our Eviclear range
of clear PVC fittings includes 3, 4 &5 way fittings as well as slip tees and the more
"usual" fittings found in plastic pipe systems.
Clear PVC Pipe System Specifications
Specification
Clear PVC Pipe Operating Temperature
Connection of Clear PVC Pipe Systems
Abrasion Resistance of transparent PVC Pipe
Clear PVCU Pipe Rigidity
Effects of Sunlight on Clear PVC Pipe
Toxicity of Clear PVC Pipe
Food Safety of Transparent PVCU Pipe
Clear Pipe Chemical resistance profile
Pipe Clip Spacing for PVC Systems
Clear PVC Pipe Dimensions
Pressure Rating of Clear Plastic Pipe Pipe
Clear PVC pipe has a manufacturers recommended operational
temperature of between 0°C and 60°C (32°F and 140°F). At lower temperatures, like
all PVC pipe it becomes more susceptible to breakage from impact, and at the higher range of
temperatures, the plastic in the pipe becomes softer and the pressure rating is reduced.
Clear PVC pipe is connected using socket fittings, where the
pipe goes into the socket. To seal for water or low pressure (≤1 bar) air, the pipe and fitting
need to be solvent welded using our PVC pipe cement. Care should be taken not to spill excess
cement or cleaner on the pipe or fitting as it will immediately start to melt the outer PVC surface
and result in marks that cannot be removed
PVC clear pipe is not suitable where there is a high level of
abrasion. The pipe will, over a short period of time, become marked on the inside wall and become
gradually more and more opaque.
Clear plastic pipe made out of PVCU is a rigid product. There
is a
little bend in the smaller diameter lengths but using the pipe with a set bend in it wil put stress
that
is not intended on the pipe and any fittings attached to it.
Both our metric and imperial clear PVC pipe are manufactured
from
a plastic formulation that is free of any toxins that may leach into the water. This is done to
enable
it to be used with drinking water and meet (in the case of our Eviclear™ inch sizes of
transparent
pipe and fittings) WRAS Approval. It does however mean that no UV stabiliser
chemicals
are added to the plastic formulation so that over time (depending on the intensity of the sunlight)
that
the clear pvc pipe will gradually become opaque if exposed to the sun. In the UK, this process will
typically take three to five years before the product cannot be seen in the pipe.
All our clear PVC pipe and fittings are non toxic.
The "Food Safety" of transparent PVC clear pipe is
determined by the foodstuffs
that it is in contact with. There is a general European standard for food safety (Eurpoean directive 2002/72/EC) which our metric clear PVC pipe
conforms
to, but this is a very general standard and PVC chemical compatibility charts should always be
consulted prior
to
use.
The chemical resistance profile of clear PVCU pipe is that
same as
for standard grey PVCU pipe and a chart can be found here.
Transparent PVC pipe is a rigid product however it requires to
be
supported along its length to prevent it from sagging or becoming stressed. See our clear
pipe support table for more specific data.
Our clear PVC pipes conform to pressure pipe standards and so
will not be size compatible with drainage or waste pipe systems.
See Metric Clear PVC Pipe Dimension Tablesfor more size data.
As the temperature of the clear pipe increases, the plastic
becomes softer and so the pressure rating lowers.
See Pressure Derating Table for more data and how to calculate the correct
pressure rating at a specific temperature.
Fouling
A transparent pipe that shows a clear view of the inside of the pipe
only
remains
so if it is clean internally and externally. Whilst the latter is easy to control by washing dust
and
debris
off, the former can be more difficult where a plastic pipe system is involved. A biological film of
bacteria and/or algae can coat the
inside of
the
pipe if the conditions are right, or, if the water contains fine particles, these can settle on the clear
pipe internal wall.
It is therefore recommended that clear pvc pipe is installed so that
it
can be
removed for periodic cleaning. Using unions or flanges is the best way to achieve this. Unions and
flanges
are
however only available in our standard grey pvc ranges, but are compatible with the clear pipe systems.
WRAS Approval of Clear PVC Pipe
The Eviclear range of clear plastic pipe in inch sizes has WRAS approval
materials status for pipe and fittings.
WRAS materials approval means that the clear pipe and fittings have been
tested by
an accredited laboratory in the UK and passed as conforming to the British Standard BS6920. This tests for
leaching of any chemicals out of the clear plastic pipe or fittings, and passes them as fit for use with
drinking water systems in
the UK.
The approval numbers are:
•1805536 for clear pipe
•1805537 for clear pipe fittings
Support Centres for Clear Plastic Pipe
The measurements in the table below assume that the pipe in question is
carrying a liquid of similar density to water at 20°C and 40°C. Extra clips and support should
be placed either side of heavy fittings, valves or equipment and either side of clear pvc pipe elbows
that are mounted horizontally. If you are unsure of the best way to support your system, give us a ring and
our technical team will help you find the best solution.
Pipe size
⅜″ / 16mm
½″ / 20mm
¾″ / 25mm
1″ / 32mm
1 ¼″ / 40mm
1 ½″ / 50mm
2″ / 63mm
2 ½″ / 75mm
3″ / 90mm
4″ / 110mm
- / 125mm
5″ / 140mm
6″ / 160mm
8″ / 200mm
- / 225mm
10″ / 250mm
12″ / 315mm
Spacing (m) at 20°C
0.7
0.8
0.9
1.0
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.6
1.8
1.9
2.1
2.2
2.5
2.6
2.8
3.0
Metric Clear PVC Pipe Dimensions
Metric clear PVC pipe is supplied in 5m lengths, however we also provide an
option of cut half lengths. For some sizes, we supply clear pipe in two wall thicknesses. The tables below
show
the outside diameter (pipe size) and the wall thicknesses of our clear metric pipe:
Pipe size
16mm
20mm
25mm
32mm
40mm
50mm
63mm
75mm
90mm
90mm
110mm
110mm
160mm
160mm
Wall thickness (mm)
1.2
1.5
1.5
1.8
2.0
2.4
3.0
3.6
1.8
4.3
2.2
5.3
3.2
4.7
Clear PVC Pipe Pressure Derating Table
Like all types of plastic pipe, the pressure rating of clear PVC pipe will
change with an increase in temperature. Use the table below to calculate the actual pressure rating. For
example 10 bar pipe, operating at 30°C will be 10 x 0.8 = 8.0bar.
Temperature
≤20°C
30°C
40°C
50°C
60°C
≥60°C
De-Rating Multiple
1.00
0.80
0.58
0.39
0.22
Not recommended
Where to find or buy clear PVC pipe.
We are often asked "where can I find some clear PVC pipe near me?". The best answer to
this is you probably can't! There are
very few stockists of clear pvc pipe and fittings in the UK, many companies show it on their websites,
however,
most of these do not carry their own stocks. Plastic Pipe Shop Ltd are direct importers, distributors and
stockists for most of the major clear
PVC manufacturers. This is important as clear pipe only travels well when properly wrapped (which we are
experienced in doing) and with fewer
journeys. When supplied direct by us, you will find it arrives in the top condition possible. When purchased
through secondary "middle man"
companies the pipe may be shipped to them and then re-wrapped and sent out again. This increases the chance
of marks showing on the pipe. We can ship
clear pipe next day or on an a.m. (pre-noon) service, confident that you will find that it will arrive with
you in the best condition possible.
Clear Pipe Manufacturers
Our clear pipe and fittings are made by two different companies. The inch sized
WRAS approved clear pvc pipe and fittings are made by a company in the USA. Our metric pipe is made by a
company
in Germany.
5 facts about our Clear PVC Pipe
• Clear PVC pipe is available in either inch or metric sizes.
• Fittings are only available in imperial (inch) pipe sizes.
• Clear pipe pressure ratings are the same as grey pipe.
• WRAS approved clear pipe is not UV stable.
• Clear pipe should be installed in a way that periodically, it can be
internally cleaned.
