Answer
Dec 15, 2019 - 05:28 AM
We definitely recommend that you use Schedule 80 Chlorinated PVC (cPVC) vs copper or steel. Do NOT use PVC, you must use Chlorinated PVC! There is a big difference, PVC will become brittle over time due to interaction with our Coolants and the heat.
Here is a quick comparison of the different materials:
PROs for cPVC
1. Very simple to cut and glue-up
2. Uses a simple glue-up process (you must use primer and then glue for all joints)
3. Easy to add new fittings anywhere required with saddles and cuts
4. There are more than 400+ fittings for cPVC. Make sure to get all fittings and valves with Viton/FKM gaskets and O-Rings.
5. cPVC is far cheaper that other options in both raw materials and cost to install
6. cPVC is rated up to 100C operating temperature – watch your pressure de-rating based on operating temp!
7. cPVC is electrically non-conductive
8. You can use Teflon Tape to seal threaded joints
CONs for cPVC
1. Operating temperature is limited based on pressure required and not more than 100C
2. Most cPVC fittings intended for use with water will use Buna O-rings and gaskets. You cannot use Buna with our Coolants, they will swell and your system will fail! You must use only Viton/FKM fittings with our Coolants. Almost all fittings are available in both Buna and FKM - so be sure you get FKM
3. Most flow limiting valves that rely on a floating ball will not work because the density of coolant is less water so the valve balls will not float in our Coolants. Make sure to do a test of the balls to ensure they will float in our Coolant before using them.
4. cPVC fittings cannot be removed once they are glued-on, if a fitting is not correctly glued up or it leaks you must cut out the bad joint and replace the fitting and pipe.
5. Please ensure you have good ventilation during the glue-up process as the glue and primer.
PROs for Copper and Steel
1. Higher pressure rating and not de-rated by temperature
2. Can easily be disconnected and reconnected and patched at a joint (make sure to clean off all the coolant or you will have a lot of smoke during the soldering)
3. You can use Teflon Tape or Hydraulic PTFE paste to seal threaded joints
CONs for Copper
1. Expensive
2. Requires extensive soldering expertise to get clean sealed joints
3. Conducts electricity – this is particularly bad with steel or aluminum tanks because if the device shorts to the tank it can be practically impossible to track down a short, and it can create a shock hazard across the entire system.
4. Most cPVC fittings intended for use with water will use Buna o-rings and gaskets. You cannot use Buna with our Coolants, they will swell and your system will fail! You must use only Viton/FKM fittings with our Coolants. Almost all fittings are available in both Buna and FKM - so be sure you get FKM
5. Most flow limiting valves that rely on a floating ball will not work because the density of coolant is less water so the valve balls will not float in our Coolants. Make sure to do a test of the balls to ensure they will float in our Coolant before using them.
6. Limited number of fittings, and copper fittings are all Buna seals, you must use Viton/FMK for gaskets and O-Rings.
5. Requires the use of open flame to solder and assemble
CONs for Steel
1. Conducts electricity – this is particularly bad with steel or aluminum tanks because if the device shorts to the tank it can be practically impossible to track down a short, and it can create a shock hazard across the entire system.
2. Use of steel requires complex jointing with threads or grooved pipe (Victaulic) type joints, these are expensive and require significant expertise execute. Also they are typically designed for significant pressure ratings which is typically not necessary with a SLIC system.
3. Steel is heavy and requires lots of equipment and manpower to set up.
4. Limited number of fittings, and copper fittings are all Buna seals, you must use Viton/FKM for gaskets and O-Rings
5. Most flow limiting valves that rely on a floating ball will not work because the density of coolant is less water so the valve balls will not float in our Coolants. Make sure to do a test of the balls to ensure they will float in our Coolant before using them.
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