What is black plastic piping called?
ABS: Short for acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, this sturdy plastic was one of the first plastics used for residential plumbing. ABS pipes are always black and tend to be softer than PVC. They are mainly used for vent and drain lines, along with other outdoor underground uses where cold temperatures are common.
What are black PVC fittings?
Black PVC materials are rated at 140 degrees Fahrenheit. These fittings are designed for pressurized liquid applications, but can be used in residential around the home applications as well.
What is black tubing called?
ABS: This black pipe was the first plastic pipe to be used in residential plumbing. Today, many areas don’t allow ABS in new construction because joints can come loose. Check with your local plumbing inspector if you want to use ABS.
What is the difference between PVC and ABS pipe?
ABS is always black while PVC is white- and easy way to see the difference quickly. PVC piping offers more flexibility, but ABS is a stronger piping and can resist a higher shock. For underground, ABS is great as it can handle extreme cold and can warp if it is in direct sunlight.
How do I know if I have PVC or ABS?
One easy way to tell ABS and PVC apart is that ABS pipes are black and PVC pipes are white. But since pipes aren’t meant to be seen, plumbers are usually more interested in other qualities. For example, PVC is more flexible, but ABS is stronger and more shock resistant.
Is there a difference between white and black PVC?
The difference between black and white PVC pipes is the chemical composition of the plastic used in manufacturing them. They are both primarily used for water drainage purposes. White pipe is composed of poly-vinyl chloride, hence the designation of PVC. The black pipe is composed of acylonitrile butadiene styrene.
Can ABS and PVC be glued together?
If you’re plumbing in a new drain or vent and have to join two different kinds of plastic pipe, black ABS and white PVC, don’t assume that you can simply glue them together. Most plumbing codes don’t allow ABS pipe to be solvent-welded (glued) to PVC.