Term |
Explanation |
Links to other entries or texts |
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ABS |
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene. Thermoplastic material. |
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EAS |
European Acceptance Scheme. A European Acceptance Scheme for construction materials and products used in contact with drinking water is being prepared. |
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GRP |
Glass Reinforced Plastics. Fibre glass material. |
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Exfiltration |
The leakage from a pipe system to the surrounding soil, leakage “inside out”. |
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Extrusion |
Process by which most plastic pipes are manufactured. |
See production. |
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Moulding |
General process by which most fittings are manufactured. |
See production. |
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Monomer |
A monomer is a small molecule that can be combined with other monomers to form a polymer. |
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Non-pressure applications |
Examples of non-pressure applications are most sewer and drain systems. |
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Infiltration |
The entry into a pipe system of substances from the surrounding soil, leakage “outside in”. |
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Injection moulding |
The latest technology for manufacturing fittings. |
See moulding. |
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PE |
Polyethylene. Thermoplastic material. |
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PE-RT |
Polyethylene of Raised Temperature Resistance. Thermoplastic material. |
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PEX |
Cross-linked Polyethylene. Thermosetting material. |
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Plastics Europe |
The European Association of Plastic Manufacturers. |
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Polymer |
A polymer is a long molecule consisting of a chain of monomers strung together through chemical bonds. The monomers in the polymer may be all of the same kind, or may belong to different chemical groups, thus adding different properties, such as strength or flexibility, to the polymer. Polymer is sometimes used as a synonym for plastic. |
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Polymerisation |
Polymerisation is the process by which monomer molecules react together in a chemical reaction to form a polymer. |
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PP |
Polypropylene. Thermoplastic material. |
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Pressure applications |
Examples of pressure applications are drinking water and gas distribution. |
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PVC |
Polyvinyl Chloride. Thermoplastic material. |
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TEPPFA |
The European Plastic Pipes and Fittings Association. |
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Thermoplastic |
Most types of plastic belong to the thermoplastic category. These materials become soft when heated and cure (harden) when cooled down. Thermoplastics can be melted and remoulded over and over again. Examples of thermoplastic materials are polyethylene and PVC. |
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Thermoelastic |
Thermoelastic plastic materials have a cross-linked molecular structure which means that, once they cure, they cannot be melted again. PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) is an example of a thermoelastic material. |
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Thermoset |
Thermosets (or thermosetting plastics) refers to plastic materials that are formed through a combination of a chemical reaction and heating and that, once they cure, cannot be re-melted and re-moulded. An example of a thermoset is PEX (cross-linked polyethylene). |
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Vinyl 2010 |
Vinyl 2010 is a voluntary commitment of the PVC industry to work for increased recycling of PVC products and for the elimination of the use of lead stabilisers in the production process. The 10 year programme covers all phases of the product lifecycle, from production to disposal. |
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