Start with the conditions
- What's in the pipe (water quality, chemicals, solids)?
- Temperature range, including cleaning cycles
- Operating and surge pressure
- Indoor, outdoor, buried or exposed to UV
Common choices
Stainless steel for clean process water and food-grade service. CPVC for many corrosive chemicals at moderate temperatures. HDPE for buried and large-diameter water. Copper for potable and some utility services. Carbon steel for fire and some utility services.
Joining methods matter
Welds, grooved, flanged, solvent-cemented and fused joints each have different failure modes and labor costs.
Compare materials with our Pipe Materials tool, or request a material analysis.