Both ABS and PVC are used in pipes because they are non-toxic and resistant to abrasion. … ABS stands for acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and PVC stands for polyvinyl chloride.

What is the difference between PVC and ABS pipe?

The Difference between ABS and PVC Pipes The biggest difference between ABS and PVC piping is that ABS pipe contains a chemical called bisphenol A, also known as BPA, and PVC doesn’t. … PVC pipe is more flexible than ABS, while ABS is a bit stronger and can resist a higher shock or impact.

Are my pipes PVC or ABS?

One easy way to tell ABS and PVC apart is that ABS pipes are black and PVC pipes are white. But since pipes aren’t meant to be seen, plumbers are usually more interested in other qualities. For example, PVC is more flexible, but ABS is stronger and more shock resistant.