Losing power due to inefficient or faulty piping is a costly mishap. Ask yourself this question before installing a new compressed air system: “What is the ideal air compressor pipe for my system?” Your compressed air piping transports compressed air from your compressor to end-user pneumatic devices, work stations, and so on. Can PVC Pipe Be Used for Compressed Air? It’s not like a pipe isn’t a pipe, right? Both yes and no. A pipe is, after all, simply a pipe. Its goal is to transfer air without leaking it so that you can use it in your machines, air tools, and other equipment. However, in order to save money, it’s critical to choose the correct type and size of pipe.

What form of compressed air pipe should I use if I can’t use PVC?

For compressed air conveyance, both stainless steel and aluminum piping are highly recommended. Stainless steel piping is sturdy, long-lasting, and non-corrosive. Aluminum piping is lightweight, easy to handle, corrosion-resistant, and cost-effective. Although installing PVC pipe for compressed air transportation may appear to be a cheap and simple solution, the significant danger of fines, damage, injury, and even death far outweighs the supposed benefits.

When it comes to building a compressed air system in a business, PVC piping is a popular choice because it is inexpensive, adaptable, and simple to install. Can PVC Pipe Be Used for Compressed Air? Using PVC tubing in any compressed air application, on the other hand, is exceedingly unsafe and is strongly discouraged by numerous groups and manufacturers. PVC piping is frequently used to convey liquids, primarily water, for a variety of purposes. If a leak occurs while delivering water, the pipe will frequently split and release water at low pressure. Water, on the other hand, is not compressible and hence can not store energy like air. When air is pushed inside PVC piping, the pipe can expand and rupture at high pressure, sending PVC plumbing into the environment.

PVC pipe

Common PVC pipe is commonly used, but it is not advised for use with compressed air. It’s popular since it’s readily available, affordable, and simple to set up. PVC, like many other plastics, becomes brittle with age and can crack, fracture, or even collapse. PVC breakdown is accelerated by the presence of air compressor lubricants in the line and heat from compressed air. Due to the airborne, razor-sharp shrapnel, these failures, when paired with air under stress, are potentially deadly. Using PVC for compressed air delivery is also a violation that could result in such a harsh penalty.