Is PVC pipe strong enough to use on the frame for a raft?

Question

Someone told me it wasnt strong enough and would buckle. Any thoughts?

Answer 1

no!!!!it has many good qualities the chief amongst them being "water-proof";but exposure to "ultraviolet rays" on water could caused degradation and increasingly "brittle"conditions to manifest themselves!!!!!it will bow and it doesn't take repeated and "stressed" construction well like the "arms" of a "p-cat", for instance, to it's pontoon-outrigger....triangular crossbracings might help ;but "carbon-fibre",aluminum,wood and fibreglas composite construction ;all,are far superior in almost all respects!!!!!!!the watercourse or duration of the trip also is a "key consideration"...i personally like the ivory-like qualities of the product :and i have no "technological bias" to it's use if applicable!!!are you going down a river or on the sea????what are the temperature parameters?freeze steel with butane and tap it;and it breaks like grandma's china!!!!!if you're following a river you can always make repairs "on route" with wood!!!!at sea you've got a problem and there isn't always a convenient "well-wooded" island on which to haul-up and make repairs!!!!

Answer 2

Pvc Raft Frame

Answer 3

Try making a scaled down version for testing in the rapids. Schedule 40 (white) is the standard residential PVC plumbing pipe, but Schedule 80 (grey) is also available on the internet or your local electrical supply house. If the pipe is big enough and is totally sealed, it should have good bouyancy. You could experiment with a catamaran type design with two pontoons connected by a raised bridge. The pontoons could contain an additional air bladder for added bouyancy. I have left PVC pipe out in the sunlight continuously and not noticed any degradation from ultraviolet rays.
http://www.captainfletch.com/projects/boats/barellraft/barrelraft.asp

Answer 4

Depending on the diameter of the pipe. There are several types of "plastic" piping and density, wall thickness and flexibility all vary. If this is for a simple home pool floating raft, I'd give it a shot, it sounds like a fun project. If this is for a more serious application I might look into a larger diameter (4"-6") which mayb be a bit sturdier. Goodluck! I'm sure if you head to a plumbing supply warehouse or a Home Depot or Lowes Hardware, I'm sure they would let you play around with some.

Answer 5

that's hard to say, I've used 2 inch PVC pipe to make a frame for a go-cart once, it held me and my brother, upwards of 350lbs without any problems and it never buckled. It was a pretty cool, lightweight machine. I Definatley wouldnt try to build it out of 3/4 inch PVC, that would buckle for sure. Whatever you decide, I wish you the best of luck. : )

Answer 6

Depends on the thickness of the pipe. A very thin pipe will be flexible. A thick pipe will be more rigid. Placing a thin pipe within a thick pipe (with glue) should give you some flexibility with a lot more strength. Try it but only in calm water that is not very deep. If it works they way you want - have fun.

Answer 7

It's always gonna depend on what kind of pvc pipe, but i would watch it i would go with somethin' just a little bit stronger, just to make sure.

Answer 8

cap the ends with pvc pipe glue water tight might work might not give it a shot you wont know unless you try it