No, Plastic ducting is not usually suitable for movement of particles (i.e. dust/shavings) as these may require a higher velocity than the duct is designed for and may pose an explosion risk. Legislation requires that ductwork for wood dust must be conductive, i.e. steel. For some fumes non metal duct may be preferable. The properties of the fume concerned needs to be checked for compatibility with the specific duct construction (i.e. temperature, corrosion etc)

There are two main reasons why it is not suitable, these are: 

(1) Risk of Static generated sparks igniting a dust explosion.
The 2 types of “Plastic” ductwork, UPVC & PP, generate static which can spark and ignite the dust. Explosive atmospheres legislation therefore requires that ductwork must be manufactured from a conductive material, ie. Steel, so that any static electricity generated can be discharged to earth.

(2) Plastic Ductwork is usually designed for low velocities
Principles of system design specify that the minimum air velocity necessary to keep dust and chippings airborne is 10 to 25 m/sec. UPVC and PP ducting is designed to be used with a system where the air velocity is less than 10 m/sec. It is therefore unsuitable to use UPVC and PP because the velocity is too low and the waste will settle out of the air stream through the ductwork, causing blockages and increasing the risk of dust explosion.

In addition, plastic ducting may leak dust when used at the high velocities necessary to keep the dust/shavings moving through the ductwork.

UPVC and PP technical information:

Electrical Classification - an insulator. 

The surface resistivity of both UPVC and PP is greater than 10¹⁴ ohms and electrostatic charge can therefore accumulate easily.

Fire Characteristics

• UPVC:  Burns when in contact with a flame, giving off black smoke.  Stops burning on extinction of the flame, and evolves white fumes for a time.  The products of combustion are noxious.

• PP:Ignites readily and melts and drips as it burns. Gives off black smoke on burning, the quantity depending on the fire conditions.

IF YOU ARE USING PLASTIC DUCTWORK YOU MUST CHECK THE MANUFACTURER’S SPECIFICATION FOR RECOMMENDED MAXIMUM AIRFLOW VELOCITY AND STATIC DISCHARGE PROPERTIES.