What is the thermal expansion rate for CPVC, and how can I best allow for expansion and contraction when installing?
CPVC piping will expand about 4 inches per 100 feet with a 100 degree F temperature change. The fact that CPVC has higher thermal expansion than metals has led to some concern. However, laboratory testing and installation experience have demonstrated that the problems are much smaller than the coefficient of thermal expansion would suggest. The stresses developed in CPVC pipe are generally much smaller than those developed in metal pipe for equal temperature changes because of the difference in elastic modulus.
