2. Handout 6: Pipework materials
Plumbing materials
There are many materials used in plumbing,
ranging from various forms of plastic to
metals.
The more common forms are as follows.
3. Handout 6: Pipework materials
Plastic
Polythene (Blue And Yellow pipe) External water and gas
(mechanical joints and fusion welding)
Polyethylene (Gray pipe) (mechanical joints)
Polypropylene (Blue and Yellow) External water and gas(mechanical
joints, fusion welding and push fit “O” ring)
UPVC (Waste pipes) (mechanical joints, fusion welding
and push fit “O” ring)
ABS (White pipe) (mechanical joints, fusion welding and push fit “O”
ring)
*NB – ‘O’ ring joints are for waste discharge and overflows
These plastics can be used in a range of fittings with some being able to be
solvent welded and others being more appropriate for mechanically formed
joints.
4. Handout 6: Pipework materials
Copper (Water and Gas)
Copper tube comes in a range of grades.
Grade X (R250 half hard lengths) – widely used for domestic installations
Grade Z (R290 hard lengths) – cannot be bent as it has a thin wall
Grade Y (R220 soft coils) – mainly used for external underground installations
Grade W (R220 soft coils) – used for micro bore heating pipework
5. Handout 6: Pipework materials
Low carbon steel. (Gas and Heating)
Low carbon steel is more commonly used on commercial and
industrial installations due to its strength and low expansion rate
properties over longer runs.
It comes in a range of grades ranging from light to heavy.
Light - colour coded brown
Medium - colour coded blue
Heavy - colour coded red
6. Handout 6: Pipework materials
Low carbon steel. (Gas and Heating)
Low carbon steel is more commonly used on commercial and
industrial installations due to its strength and low expansion rate
properties over longer runs.
It comes in a range of grades ranging from light to heavy.
Light - colour coded brown
Medium - colour coded blue
Heavy - colour coded red
