Thursday, July 7, 2016

Pipes: Why Choose Metal Over Plastic

Pipes have a lot of applications in the construction of residential or industrial structures. Pipes can be utilized as structural components, but their primary purpose is to convey substances – solid, liquid, or gas – through openings. There are plenty of pipe materials to choose from, with the selection mainly depending the substance that must be transported.
Image source: alibaba.com
The two main categories of pipe materials are plastic and metal. Some prefer plastic as it is the less expensive material, although the fittings and other accessories can be quite costly. There are also no risks of corrosion, unlike with metal pipes.

Contamination, though, is a possibility because of the chemicals used as adhesive to join sections of pipes, in addition to the potential toxicity of plastic itself. Most plastic pipes cannot withstand extreme temperatures, splitting when it is too cold, or warping when exposed to high heat.

For these reasons and some more, metal or alloy pipes have been the preferred choice of plumbers and engineers. These pipes are safe, durable, and reliable, especially when conveying any substance of whatever form or temperature. It has a long life span, rendering the need for replacement the least to be concerned about.
Image source: Wikimedia.org
There are a lot of metal and alloy pipes to choose from, such as steel, aluminum, brass, carbon, and copper. Each has advantages and drawbacks. But, clearly, these types of pipes are the better choice.

DS Pipe & Steel Supply LLC is a leading distributor of pipes and structural steel. It is led by Sean and Chris Keehner. Visit this blog for more discussion about steel and pipes.