Hello and welcome to this post on plastic piping materials used for residential building applications, and mainly we will compare HDPE pipes to PEX-A, PEX-B, and PEX-C pipes.
What are the top 5+ plastics used in building and construction?
Most used plastics in building and construction are polyvinyl chloride (PVC), high density polyethylene (HDPE), expanded polystyrene (EPS), polyurethane (PU), polycarbonate (PC) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). PVC is used for window frames and floorings, HDPE for tubing and piping, EPS and PU for outside and inside insulation. PC and PMMA is used for transparent sheeting applications applied for example at carports. Benefits of using plastics in construction are that they are lightweight, energy efficient, quick and safe installation compared to other materials, cost effective and high resistance to UV and fire.
A detailed example of a polymer material selection for water plumbing pipes can be found here.
Comparison of HDPE and PEX as piping materials
HDPE
- HDPE stands for High-Density Polyethylene.
- Characteristics: Highly durable, resistant to chemicals and corrosion, and has a long lifespan.
- Common Uses: Primarily used for underground drainage and sewer systems due to its strength and resistance to harsh conditions. Less common in residential plumbing for interior applications.
PEX (PEX-A, PEX-B, PEX-C)
PEX is a type of cross-linked polyethylene. The different types (A, B, and C) vary based on the cross-linking process.
PEX-A:
- Created using a peroxide cross-linking process.
- Characteristics: Most flexible, resistant to high temperatures and pressures, and has excellent memory recovery.
- Common Uses: Widely used in residential plumbing for hot and cold water distribution, radiant heating, and snow melting systems.
PEX-B:
- Created using a silane or moisture process.
- Characteristics: Good flexibility, balance of cost and performance, and suitable for most residential applications.
- Common Uses: Popular choice for residential plumbing due to its balance of properties and cost-effectiveness.
PEX-C:
- Created using an irradiation process.
- Characteristics: Less flexible than PEX-A and PEX-B, and offers good resistance to chemicals and high temperatures.
- Common Uses: Used in selected residential applications, and less common than PEX-A and PEX-B.
Table 1 shows a summary of the key differences between HDPE, PEX-A, PEX-B, and PEX-C piping materials.
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| Table 1: Key differences summary of HDPE vs PEX (A, B, and C) as piping materials. |
In conclusion, HDPE as piping material is primarily used for underground applications. PEX-A is the most flexible and performs best in demanding conditions. PEX-B offers a good balance of properties and is a popular choice. PEX-C is less flexible and still suitable for some residential applications.
The optimal piping material choice for your specific project depends on factors such as budget, desired performance, and local building codes.
Watch below a video I made on this topic too:
Herwig
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Literature:
[1] https://www.sharkbite.com/us/en/resources/blog/the-differences-between-pex-a-b-and-c#:~:text=This%20is%20the%20most%20common,%2C%20method%20of%20cross%2Dlinking.
[2] https://www.theplasticbottlescompany.com/plastic-types/hdpe-plastic/#:~:text=High%20Density%20Polyethylene%2C%20commonly%20shortened,when%20used%20for%20HDPE%20pipes.
[3] https://insulation-more.co.uk/blogs/the-pipe-duct-lagging-expert/polyethylene-piping-benefits-applications-and-lagging#:~:text=With%20its%20high%20strength%2Dto,systems%2C%20gas%20pipelines%2C%20sewage%20drainage
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