PVC glue is commonly used in plumbing to join PVC pipes together. But if you are plumbing for a hot water line, PVC pipes might not withstand the heat and can come undone.
Special pipes called CPVC pipes are used in such cases along with CPVC glue. These two types of glue have slightly different chemical compositions and physical properties.
This discussion will go over every little detail about CPVC Vs PVC glue.
Please give it a read to know the differences between these two types of glue to choose the right one for your next plumbing job.
What is CPVC Glue?
CPVC stands for Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride. As you might already know, CPVC is a special kind of plastic. CPVC resin is mixed with other compounds to make CPVC glue or CPVC solvent cement.
Here is the chemical composition of CPVC glue.
- Tetrahydrofuran – 73%
- Acetone – 5%
- CPVC Resin – 17.4%
- Thickener – 2%
- Stabilizer – 2.5%
CPVC glue works as a chemical weld, unlike regular adhesives connecting pipe pieces together. Once you connect two pieces of CPVC pipes using this glue, the compounds bond together to make a single piece.
Stabilizers and thickeners help increase the strength of the bond, so CPVC glue is very durable. It is also heat-resistant and can withstand a good load of pressure once fully cured.
Depending on the size of the pipes and fittings, ambient temperature, and humidity, CPVC glue takes about two days to set and cure completely.
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Advantages of Using CPVC Glue
One major advantage of using CPVC glue is its strong bonding capability. It can create a reliable, leak-proof seal between CPVC pipes and fittings, ensuring the integrity of the piping system.
Another advantage is its chemical resistance. CPVC glue is resistant to a wide range of chemicals and substances, making it suitable for use in a variety of applications, including water treatment, industrial processes, and more.
In addition, CPVC glue is easy to use and requires minimal setup time. It dries quickly and can be used in both high and low-temperature environments.
Lastly, CPVC glue is also cost-effective, making it a practical choice for large-scale piping projects.
Overall, the use of CPVC glue has several advantages, including strong bonding capability, chemical resistance, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness, making it a popular choice among professionals in the plumbing and industrial sectors.
What is PVC Glue?
PVC glue, or polyvinyl chloride glue, or PVC cement, is a popular adhesive used for joining PVC piping systems. There are several advantages to using PVC glue for piping applications. PVC stands for Polyvinyl Chloride, and it is a different kind of plastic than CPVC. Here’s a quick overview of the chemical composition of PVC glue.
- Tetrahydrofuran – 15%
- Cyclohexanone – 25%
- Methyl Ethyl Ketone – 16%
- Acetone – 30%
- Polyvinyl Chloride Resin – 12%
- Silica – 2.5%
- Thickener – 0.03%
PVC solvent cements is commonly used for joining PVC pipes and fittings. It can join pipes and fittings by creating a chemical reaction between them. Due to this, the process is also called cold welding.
The final joint becomes very hard and durable with PVC glue. But it can’t withstand much temperature, hence not suitable for hot water systems. PVC glue takes about 30 minutes to dry. It will require 24 more hours to cure completely.
Advantages of Using PVC Glue
One of the main advantages of PVC glue is its strength. It creates a strong, long-lasting bond between PVC pipes and fittings, ensuring the integrity of the piping system.
Another advantage is its resistance to water and other liquids. PVC glue is highly resistant to water and other chemicals, making it suitable for use in a variety of applications, including plumbing, irrigation, and industrial processes.
In addition, PVC glue is easy to use and requires minimal setup time. It dries quickly and can be used in both high and low-temperature environments.
PVC glue is also cost-effective, making it a practical choice for large-scale piping projects. It is readily available in most hardware stores and can be used by both professionals and DIY enthusiasts.
Overall, PVC glue offers several advantages, including strong bonding capability, chemical resistance, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness, making it a popular choice for piping applications in both residential and commercial settings.
CPVC Vs PVC Glue: What’s the Actual Difference?
Now that you know the basic properties of these two types of glue, let’s compare PVC Glue -VS- CVPC Glue in terms of crucial features.
Chemical Composition
As you have already seen, these glues have a slightly different chemical composition. PVC glue contains Cyclohexanone, while CPVC has no Cyclohexanone in it. The amount of thickener is greater in CPVC, so it creates stronger and more dense PVC joints.
Usage
The main difference between these glues is in their usage. CPVC cement is formulated to be used with CPVC piping and CPVC fittings only. Though you can use CPVC glue on PVC pipes and fittings, it is suggested you use it on CPVC material only.
On the other hand, PVC glue is suitable for use on PVC pipes and fittings only. You can join CPVC pipes and fittings with PVC glue, but the bond won’t be as durable as it should be.
Strength
There isn’t much difference in the strength of these glues. Both of them create ultra-strong bonds with respective materials. As CPVC cements are more heat resistant than PVC glue, it will sustain hot water lines better.
PVC glue can become ineffective after constantly facing hot water flow for a long time.
Cleaning
Cleaning glue residue while plumbing is a big issue. Fortunately, both types of glue can be easily cleaned with solvents like Acetone. They get dissolved in Acetone easily so that you can wipe off the excess glue.
Toxicity
Both of these glues are very toxic. Chemical compounds used in these glues might create irritation or burn on your skin. If they come in contact with your eyes, the effects can be more brutal.
Inhaling the fumes can be toxic if you heat the glue, pipe, or fittings.
Which One Is for Me?
Still, confused about which one to choose between PVC glue vs CPVC? Learn our verdict. It totally depends on your purpose and what pipe fittings you are using.
PVC glue will be good enough if you are plumbing for a regular water system using PVC pipe fittings. But if you are working with a hot water line, PVC pipes might not withstand the heat for long.
You need to use CPVC pipes in that case. CPVC glue is a must for such pipes to ensure the system keeps working even under high-temperature conditions. So, know your purposes to determine which glue to use.
NOTE: Here are the top 10 lists of Pipe Thread sealants for PVC & CPVC That you can check out.
Final Thoughts
Before we draw the curtain, let us warn you about one thing. As these glues work quite similarly, people often confuse between CPVC Vs PVC Glue and apply the wrong glue without understanding the effects.
But a wise plumber would never do that. As we have focused on every little detail of these glues, including their chemical composition and advantages, you can easily choose the right glue for your projects.
Remember one simple rule here, “PVC is for PVC, CPVC is for CPVC.” Stick to this rule to create strong and sustainable pipe joints.
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Hey! I’m Leanda Bailey. I’m here to explain every plumbing installation and repair you may have in your kitchen or bathroom. Also, I’ll try to find you the best products on the market for your plumbing work.
