Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride pipes, or uPVC pipes, are a popular choice for plumbing applications in buildings. These pipes are constructed from a rigid form of PVC plastic, known for its durability and resistance to corrosion.
They are lightweight and easier to install which makes them a cost-effective solution. Their primary function is to transport cold water.

Lead is a metal with no biological benefit to humans. If excessive lead is consumed, it can damage crucial parts like the kidneys, nervous system, and reproductive system. It can also cause high blood pressure and anaemia.
Lead is especially harmful to foetuses, young children, and pregnant women. At very high levels, lead can cause convulsions, coma, and even death. Lead can be dissolved in water when lead-free pipes are used for the transportation of water.
The use of lead-free uPVC pipes like the Astral Aquarius is favourable for potable water transportation.

The Astral Aquarius uPVC system design and standards prioritise engineering safety factors to ensure a prolonged service life. These lead-free uPVC pipes and fittings offer excellent durability with a service life span of 50 years under normal conditions.
It is highly resistant to corrosion, scale build-up, and electrolysis, even in environments where water, solid ends, or atmospheric conditions are aggressive. Astral holds strong confidence that these pressure pipes will deliver a superior service life comparable to alternative materials available in the market or surpass them.

Astral uPVC pipes can be installed with at least a 25% speed advantage as compared to metal piping systems. This saves time and translates into financial benefits through reduced tool costs and insurance advantages.
Additionally, with the fluctuating metal price structure, Astral Aquarius offers a consistent cost advantage in terms of materials, with savings of up to 50-60% compared to traditional metal alternatives.

The thermal conductivity of a metal system is 2500 times higher than that of uPVC pipes. The enhanced insulation properties of uPVC pipes and fittings offer long-term energy savings for homeowners or tenants who prioritise energy efficiency.
The Astral Aquarius system excels by effectively retaining water temperature for a significantly extended duration compared to metal tubing.

When passing through wood studs, there is no need for additional provisions. However, when dealing with metal studs, it is important to take precautions to protect the pipe from abrasion and prevent noise.
Various forms of protection can be employed in such cases, such as plastic-insulated rubber grommets, pipe insulation, or similar methods. These measures help safeguard the pipe and ensure proper functioning without any disruptive noises.

Astral always emphasises the use of solvent cement that is specifically manufactured to meet the requirements of ASTM D 2564. It is important to note that all-purpose solvent cement should not be used. Instead, primers manufactured for uPVC pipes are preferred for this purpose.
For detailed information, please refer to the installation procedure outlined in the manual. Following the guidelines ensures proper bonding and installation of the pipes.

Most cracks in uPVC pipes are caused by rough handling during transportation while being stored at the wholesaler or on the job site. The majority of these cracks tend to happen during colder weather when temperatures drop below 10°C. To minimise issues:
A) Educate the installers about potential problems and instruct them to handle the pipes appropriately. B) Use a saw or a circular tubing cutter with a plastic tubing blade to cut the pipe.
C) Inspect the ends of the pipe thoroughly before making a joint. If a crack is visible, cut off the split portion before proceeding.
D) In cold weather, briefly gripping the pipe near the cut for about 10 seconds can warm it slightly, which makes it easier to cut and reduces potential issues.

Extensive tests conducted at reputable universities and independent laboratories have verified that uPVC pipes and fittings surpass metal piping systems when it comes to water quality effects.
The Astral Aquarius pipes and fittings are manufactured using a lead-free compound, which makes them highly favoured in terms of health and safety. The Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI) of uPVC is 45, which indicates that it is not easily combustible in the atmosphere.
Once the source of ignition is removed, uPVC ceases to burn. These characteristics further contribute to the reliability and safety of uPVC systems in various applications.

UV radiation has varying effects on different polymers. For materials like PP and PE, UV acts as a catalyst for oxidation, breaks down polymer chains, and causes weakness in pipes and fittings. However, uPVC undergoes dehydrochlorination, not oxidation. This process does not significantly break down polymer chains and mainly results in surface discolouration.
While impact resistance may decrease due to inefficient impact modifiers, stress-bearing capacity remains largely unaffected. This is primarily an issue during installation, before the pipes are exposed to sunlight. If parts of the piping system are exposed to light, apply standard exterior latex paint to provide sufficient protection.

Indeed, it is feasible to use Astral Aquarius at temperatures around 10-1°C. The normal temperature range of uPVC compound material is typically between 23°C to 60°C. As the temperature drops below 23°C, uPVC pipes, like other thermoplastic materials, become brittle.
Consequently, its impact properties are diminished at lower temperatures. However, the hydrostatic strength of the material remains unaffected which enables its use at lower temperatures. Nonetheless, careful and thorough engineering design considerations are necessary when operating at such low temperatures to mitigate water hammer and impact-related concerns effectively.

Sound tends to travel through materials with the highest possible velocity. In the case of metal systems, sound travels because the velocity of sound in metal is higher than that in water which leads to noise emissions.
However, in uPVC pipes and fittings, the sound will travel through the water as the velocity of sound in water is higher than that in uPVC. As a result, uPVC piping systems are designed to be as quiet as possible, minimise noise transmission, and ensure a quieter operation overall.

The formation of scale build-up in pipes is influenced by the roughness of the pipe, as indicated by the Hazen-Williams "C" factor. The Hazen-Williams formula is used to calculate friction head losses in a piping system. A higher value of the "C" factor corresponds to less friction and reduced head loss. In metal systems, corrosion leads to a significant reduction in the "C" factor which results in increased head loss and scale build-up.
However, with Astral Aquarius uPVC pipes, corrosion is not a concern, and as a result, scale build-up is inhibited. These pipes and fittings ensure a consistent and smooth flow which minimises friction and reduces the likelihood of scale accumulation in the system.

In the plumbing market, IPS (Iron Pipe Size) and CTS (Copper Tube Size) systems are used widely. It is crucial to have the ability to interchange between these systems with ease. Recognising this market requirement, Astral Pipes has developed special transition fittings to address this need.
These fittings enable the connection of IPS systems (SCH 40 & SCH 80) to CTS systems (SDR 11 & SDR 13.5). The transition fittings can be joined using a one-step solvent cement to provide customers with a fast, efficient, and simple solution to connect both systems. These transition fittings are available in sizes ranging from 15 mm (1/2") to 50 mm (2").