Compared to PVC, polyethylene pipe is

• A. Less flexible
• B. Faster to install
• C. More brittle
• D. Expansive under freezing but will not fracture

Answer: (D)

Polyethylene pipe is much more flexible and ductile than PVC, so it handles stress from freezing conditions by deforming rather than cracking. When water inside freezes, it expands; a rigid PVC line is more likely to fracture under that pressure. In contrast, the flexible PE pipe can yield and distribute the stress, so it may show some expansion or deformation but is far less likely to break. That behavior explains why the statement about PE expanding under freezing without fracturing is the best description of how it compares to PVC.