Pipes & Tubing

Seamless copper water tubing is standardized under ASTM B88 into three primary wall thickness grades: Type K (Green / Heavy Wall for underground mains), Type L (Blue / Medium Wall for standard interior residential plumbing), and Type M (Red / Thin Wall for low-pressure hydronic heating). All three types share identical outer diameters for standard solder, flare, and press fittings.

Nominal Pipe Size (NPS) and Schedule designations under ASME B36.10M standardize the outer diameter, wall thickness, and pressure capabilities of forged steel, wrought iron, and stainless pipe. For NPS 1/8 to NPS 12, the nominal number represents approximate inside diameter, while maintaining a standardized fixed outer diameter across Schedule 40 (Standard) and Schedule 80 (Extra Strong) walls.

Cross-linked Polyethylene (PEX) is flexible plastic potable water and radiant heating tubing standardized under ASTM F876 and F877. Classified by cross-linking manufacturing chemistry into PEX-A (Engel cold expansion), PEX-B (Silane crimp/clamp), and PEX-C (Radiation), PEX adheres to Copper Tube Size (CTS) outer dimensions with SDR-9 pressure ratings.

Schedule 40 PVC DWV (Drain-Waste-Vent) pipe governed by ASTM D2665 is the standard rigid white thermoplastic pipe for residential and commercial gravity sanitary drainage, waste discharge, and sewer venting. Engineered with smooth non-porous bore walls to prevent clogs, it joins via chemical solvent cement welding.