[SRR]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUGRM7NNhDs

Don't do it.

[Chief of the 60's]

Yep, Schedule 40 will do that. Schedule 80 won't. PVC needs to be rated 3 times higher for air than liquid.

[Stuart]

Doesn't matter if it's Schedule 40 or Schedule 80, PVC pipe is not designed or rated for compressed gases - only for liquids.

It's because of the ductility of PVC, and because gas is compressible while liquid is not. PVC is brittle, so it tends to shatter when damaged. If a PVC pipe carrying a compressed gas is damaged, the gas will expand rapidly and can throw shards of broken PVC out into the surrounding area. If a PVC pipe carrying a liquid is damaged, the liquid will squirt out but since it doesn't expand it's less likely to throw the PVC shards. On the other hand, if a metal pipe carrying a compressed gas is damaged, it's more likely to just bend or split around the damaged section and it won't shatter like PVC.

There used to be some ABS pipe that was rated for use with compressed gases, but as far as I know it's off the market.

[Chief of the 60's]

Because you say so?

PVC is used in plenty of shops across the country. I neither condone or damn it but I sure don't make a statement like that.

[Stuart]

No, because that's what the PVC pipe manufacturers say - I edited my previous post to explain the reasons behind it. If you go to any of the manufacturer's websites and look around in their technical specifications, they will state their products are only for use with liquids. I do have a fair amount of professional experience designing and building pneumatic and hydraulic systems, so it's something I learned.

[necdb3]

Using PVC for compressed air is just plain stupidity. Anything that falls against it could cause enough damage to have it shatter. Do what you will in your own place.

[fyrffytr1]

I installed schedule 80 PVC in the walls of my shop 20 years ago. So far It has not failed. I do regulate the pressure to about 90psi max.

[Chief of the 60's]

Unions don't like it, so OSHA doesn't like it, so manufacturers keep those 2 happy by saying that it is not recommended.

[tooski]

Originally Posted by Chief of the 60's

Because you say so?

Originally Posted by Chief of the 60's

Unions don't like it, so OSHA doesn't like it, so manufacturers keep those 2 happy by saying that it is not recommended.

[QUOTE=Chief of the 60's;6224902] Because you say so?

[einstein]

Originally Posted by Chief of the 60's

Unions don't like it, so OSHA doesn't like it, so manufacturers keep those 2 happy by saying that it is not recommended.

I've been right under one shattering like that and seen several others right after the break. It seems the aerosolized oils degrade the PVC over time as well.

Black iron pipe is best, and I read in an old thread here that used for long runs it has a condensing/cooling action that allows the water to be drained along the path, minimizing or negating the need for a refrigerated drier.

[sdbob]

30 yrs ago I was approached by a service station to install air lines for new radiator shop. They said about pvc. Cost effective.So I asked my plumbing supplier. The pipe was rated for psi but the fittings were not. So we didnt use pvc but black 'iron'. From tech sheets pvc deteriorates over time. Water use isnt a problem. Also heat is another factor esp with compressing air that effects the strength of the pvc. Saving a few dollars that may produce shrapnel is not worth the physical cost.

[Half-Inch Stud]

PVC pipe is exclusively used in Central Vacuum piping. So i would say PVC is suitable for 15 PSI compressed gasses.

PVC for gases above 15 PSI?...never seen that application.

[Chief of the 60's]

Originally Posted by tooski

Because you say so?

If you're going to quote someone, why don't you quote someone that actually uses it?

Originally Posted by fyrffytr1

I installed schedule 80 PVC in the walls of my shop 20 years ago. So far It has not failed. I do regulate the pressure to about 90psi max.

[tooski]

Originally Posted by Chief of the 60's

If you're going to quote someone, why don't you quote someone that actually uses it?

You missed the point. You questioned the statement about pvc that someone made.
So I questioned the statement you made about unions, OHSA, and manufacturers.

[Chief of the 60's]

Originally Posted by tooski

You missed the point. You questioned the statement about pvc that someone made.
So I questioned the statement you made about unions, OHSA, and manufacturers.

Look it up, I did.

[400 4spd.]

I've worked for 2 people who had PVC air plumbing. One had two explosions during the 6 months I was there. The other had several during the few years I was there. Luckily no injuries suffered, but there was damage to cars. Just lucky for us.

That is why this is what I have in my shop, over 400 feet of it. Zero failures in 8 years.
http://www.danamair.com/wp-content/u...yer-2018-1.pdf

[carcrazy]

I ended up using copper in my shop...pvc is a no go for me (40 or 80).

[Chief of the 60's]

Like PVC, Copper is not recommended either (40 or 80)

[Stuart]

Copper is very common for air lines. This is a blog page from one of my local compressed air equipment suppliers that discusses the various types of materials typically used - copper, iron, stainless steel, aluminum. https://jhfoster.com/compressed-air-...ir-compressor/

For home or small shop use, I think the Rapidaire Maxline system would be the way to go. It's easy to install and relatively affordable. https://www.rapidairproducts.com/maxline There's a YouTuber named Steve Summers who just installed it in his shop, the video may be worth watching if you're interested. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxgzOY4bovw

[bdk1976]

Originally Posted by Chief of the 60's

Like PVC, Copper is not recommended either (40 or 80)

Are the compressor manufacturers aware of this? My compressors both have a (factory!) copper pipe coming straight from pump to tank.