Can a 3 inch PVC pipe withstand 300 psi pressure?

Question

Im curious if an ordinary PVC could withstand a 300psi pressure. If not, can reinforcements of nylon resin improve its chances?

Answer 1

It depends on the temperature of the fluid you are running through it, the schedule (thickness) of the PVC pipe, whether you can expect dynamic effects (e.g. water hammers), and to a lesser extent the specifics of the pipe composition/manufacture. Each manufacturer will publish a "pressure rating" for each schedule and diameter of their pipe at a given temperature (typically ~73 degrees F). For normal duty you get schedule 40 pipe. If you want thicker walls (for more pressure carrying capacity), you can try schedule 80 or even 120. The pressure rating the manufacturer publishes at 73 F is derated up or down depending on the fluid temperature (hotter = less pressure carrying capacity). For example if a pipe is rated for 260 psi at 73 F, it might only be able to carry half that pressure at 140 F. I've included two refernces just as examples. The first one shows a typical schedule 40 PVC spec sheet from one manufacturer. On this one, their 3 inch pipe is rated at 260 psi at 73.4 F. So if you went for a heavier wall or colder temperatures, you could probably get away with 300 psi. The second reference is from another site and gives detailed design guidlines for PVC pipe.

Whatever pipe you use, you need to check the manufacturer's spec sheet to make sure the pressure rating would work for your fluid temp/pressure, but just at a glance it looks like you should be able to find some kind of 3 inch PVC pipe that would hold 300 psi for you as long as it is cold water and not hot water service.

Answer 2

Depends on what the pipe is designed for but if you mean a standard water drain pipe then I doubt it and I would think that it could be quite dangerous to try this - 300psi is 20 atmospheres and the plastic could split with quite a bang so I advise you not to try it.