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Pipe material selection factors; PPR pipes

Short answer

Factors: working pressure, corrosion potential, friction, cost, weight, joint ease, availability, and life. PPR advantages: light, smooth, corrosion-free, heat-fusion joints, handles 70–95°C, long life, non-toxic. Disadvantages: costly, needs fusion tools, expands with heat, UV damage.

Describe the factors that should be considered while selecting pipe materials. What are the advantages and disadvantages of PPR pipes?

Factors for selecting a pipe material

  1. Working pressure, surge pressure and external load.
  2. Water quality and soil conditions (corrosion, chemical attack).
  3. Diameter, flow capacity and friction (smoothness).
  4. Cost of material, transport, laying and maintenance.
  5. Availability, size range and standard of the material.
  6. Ease of laying, jointing, tapping and repair.
  7. Terrain (hilly, rocky, landslide), exposed or buried line.
  8. Life of the pipe and weight for handling.

Polypropylene random copolymer (PPR) pipes

Advantages

  • Resists corrosion and scale; smooth interior (little head loss).
  • Lightweight and easy to install; joined by heat fusion to make a leak-free, homogeneous joint.
  • Carries hot and cold water (up to 70–95 °C), withstands high pressure, and has a long life (about 50 years).
  • Non-toxic, hygienic, no taste or odour; good insulation against heat loss and sweating.

Disadvantages

  • More costly than PVC or GI; needs special fusion machine and trained workers.
  • Expands a lot with temperature, so loops or supports are needed.
  • Damaged by UV light if left exposed; cannot be threaded; less suitable for large diameters.

✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)

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