| PVC (Click for Properties & Specs) Back to the Materials Group main page. Polyvinyl Chloride combines wide ranging performance characteristics to meet the design needs of many diversified applications. Basic PVC properties include chemical inertness, water, corrosion and weather resistance, high strength- to-weight ratio, tough, electrical and thermal insulation and extended life for all these properties. PVC is the most widely used member of the vinyl family. It is most commonly used in pipe and fittings. PVC offers excellent corrosion and weather resistance. It has a high strength-to-weight ratio and is a good electrical and thermal insulator. PVC is also self-extinguishing per UL flammability tests. PVC may be used to temperatures of 140°F (60°C) and is readily available in sheets, rods, and tubing. PVC may be cemented, welded, machined, bent and shaped readily. PVC TYPE I Corrosion-resistant thermoplastic ideal for tanks, ducts, fume hoods and pipe subject to harsh environmental conditions. Standard sheet size: 48" x 96". Rod - standard lengths:1/4"-2" - 10 ft. Over 2" diameter - 5 ft. PVC TYPE II Combines good corrosion-resistance with a higher impact strength than Type I for extended life in rugged, corrosive use. Because of its excellent corrosion resistance at elevated temperatures, CPVC is ideally suited for self-supporting constructions where temperatures up to 200°F (93°C) are present. The ability to bend, shape, and weld CPVC enables its use in a wide variety of process applications including tanks, scrubbers, and ventilation systems. It exhibits excellent fire resistance, chemical resistance, and is readily available in sheets, rods, and tubing. Fabrication Guidelines Use methods and equipment similar to those for steel, light metals or wood. Carbon steel and high speed tools may be used, but chips should be removed quickly to conduct heat away from the work and prevent overheating. Overheating can be detected by color, odor and dulled cutting tools which result from the release of acids. PVC will soften and smear at high temperatures since it is a thermoplastic and a poor conductor of heat: cool properly for satisfactory results. Operation Cutting Speed Feet/Min. Feet, In./Rev. Turning 1000-3000 .120-.200 in. Milling Up to 3000 120 in. Planing Top speed of equipment Depending on rigidity of material Drilling Up to 450 .040 -.200 in. Sawing Circular 6000 Hand pressure Sawing Band Saw 3600 Hand pressure |
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| NOTE: All values are average test results from typical production material. No warranty is implied or guaranteed and testing is recommended for each application. |
ASTM or
UL Test Property Tested PVC CPVC
PHYSICAL
D792 Density (lb/in³) 0.051 0.055
D792 Density (g/cm³) 1.41 1.52
D570 Water Absorption, 24 hrs (%) 0 0.04
MECHANICAL
D638 Tensile Strength (psi) - 8,200
D638 Tensile Modulus (psi) 435,000 430,000
D638 Tensile Elongation at Break (%) - 27
D790 Flexural Strength (psi) - 15,000
D790 Flexural Modulus (psi) 481,000 410,000
D695 Compressive Strength (psi) - -
D695 Compressive Modulus (psi) - -
D785 Hardness 82 (Shore D) 121 (Rockwell R)
D256 IZOD Notched Impact (ft-lb/in) 0.5 1.6
THERMAL
D696 Coefficient of Linear Thermal
Expansion(x 10-5 in./in./°F) 6.1 3.7
D648 Heat Deflection Temp
(°F / °C)at 264 psi 176 / 80 217 / 103
D3418 Melting Temp (°F / °C) n.a. n.a.
- Max Operating Temp (°F / °C) 140 / 60 200 / 93
C177 Thermal Conductivity
(BTU-in/ft²-hr-°F) 0.90 0.95
(x 10-4 cal/cm-sec-°C) 3.1 3.3
UL94 Flammability Rating V-O V-O
ELECTRICAL
D149 Dielectric Strength
(V/mil) short time, 1/8" thick 544 1250
D150 Dielectric Constant at 60 Hz 3.2 3.7
D150 Dissipation Factor at 60 Hz .0096 -
D257 Volume Resistivity
(ohm-cm)at 50% RH 5.4 x 1015 3.4 x 1015
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