Property |
DWC HDPE |
PVC |
RCC |
METAL |
Material |
High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) |
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) |
Concrete |
Steel, Cast Iron, etc. |
Size |
Up to 1200 mm |
Up to 600 mm |
Up to 2400 mm |
Varies widely |
Pipe Class |
SN4 (4 kN/m²) to SN8 (8 kN/m²) |
Varies (e.g., SDR 41 to SDR 73) |
Depends on RCC class (e.g., NP2, NP3) |
Depends on material and grade |
Life Span |
50-100 years |
25-40 years |
50-100 years |
50+ years with maintenance |
Durability |
Highly durable, resistant to corrosion and chemicals |
Prone to cracking under pressure, may degrade in sunlight |
Very durable, resistant to external forces |
Prone to corrosion, may require coatings |
Chemical Resistance |
Resistant to a wide range of chemicals |
Resistant to some chemicals, may degrade over time |
Resistant to chemicals, acids, and bases |
Prone to corrosion, may react with chemicals |
Thermal Resistance |
Good, but can deform at very high temperatures |
Moderate, can soften or deform at high temperatures |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Ease of Handling |
Lightweight and flexible, making them easy to transport and install |
Also lightweight and easy to install, but less flexible than HDPE |
Very heavy, requiring heavy machinery and significant labor for installation |
Heavy and prone to corrosion, requiring more labor and machinery for installation |
Flexibility |
Highly flexible, can withstand ground movement |
Rigid, can be brittle in cold temperatures |
Rigid, prone to cracking under ground movement |
Rigid, prone to cracking under ground movement |
Cost |
Moderate initial cost, lower installation and maintenance costs |
Low initial cost, moderate installation costs |
High initial and installation costs |
High initial and installation costs |
Installation |
Lightweight, flexible, easy to handle and install |
Lightweight, easy to handle and install |
Heavy, requires specialized equipment |
Heavy, requires welding expertise |
Maintenance |
Low maintenance, resistant to corrosion and abrasion |
Low maintenance, resistant to corrosion and abrasion |
Requires occasional inspection and repair |
Requires regular maintenance to prevent corrosion |
Pipe Joining |
Heat fusion welding, couplers |
Solvent cement, gasketed joints |
Joints, welding |
Welding, threading, flanges, joints |
Leakage |
Excellent, minimal infiltration and exfiltration |
Low leakage but may experience issues over time |
Minimal leakage, if properly sealed |
Potential for leakage |
Environmental Impact |
Recyclable, lower carbon footprint, less energy-intensive production |
Recyclable, but production can be energy-intensive |
High carbon footprint, not recyclable |
High energy-intensive production, lower recyclability |