Solvent cements and welding compounds for PVC, CPVC and ABS, in pint, quart and gallon.
Solvent welding is a chemical fusion, not gluing: the cement softens both surfaces and they weld into one piece as the solvent leaves. That is why the cement has to match the resin. PVC cement (ASTM D2564) does not properly soften CPVC — the joint looks right and fails under heat and pressure, which is exactly when it matters. CPVC needs ASTM F493; ABS needs D2235.
Body weight follows pipe size. Regular body for small diameters, medium and heavy body as size grows — a thin cement will not bridge the gap in a 4" socket.
Most codes require primer on PVC pressure joints, and inspectors look for the purple stain as proof it was used. Below 40°F, switch to a cold-weather formulation; set and cure times on the can assume the stated temperature and run longer when it is cold, humid, or the pipe is large.
ABS to PVC is the transition to check first. Transition cement exists, but many jurisdictions prohibit the solvent joint outright and require a mechanical shielded coupling.
