Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride (UPVC) are two types of plastic piping materials that are widely used in the construction industry due to their versatility and flexibility to produce various shapes. However, they serve different functions due to these differences:
Durability
Because it is designed to be softer and more flexible than many other plastics, PVC is less durable than UPVC. However, both plastics are resistant to sunlight, oxidation, and a variety of chemicals.
Properties
In terms of their properties, PVC contains both BPA and phthalates, which are two plasticizers that make it more flexible. While, the "u" in UPVC stands for "unplasticized," and because it does not have these extra materials, UPVC is often called rigid plastic.
Applications
In most of the times, PVC is the plastic of choice for sewer pipes and the transportation of non-potable water, while UPVC is used more widely for water pipes than PVC.