PVC Polymer Characteristics  

PVC Polymer Characteristics. PVC is a cost-effective and versatile material. Its key characteristics and advantages are as follows: Electrical Properties: Due to its high dielectric strength, PVC is an excellent insulator. Weathering, chemical degradation, corrosion, shock, and abrasion are all resistant to PVC. As a result, it is the chosen material for many long-lasting and outdoor products. Flame Retardancy: PVC goods are self-extinguishing due to their high chlorine content. It has a 45 oxidation index. Antimony trioxide has been widely utilised, typically in conjunction with phosphate ester plasticizers, to provide excellent fire and mechanical qualities. Cost/Performance Ratio: PVC offers strong physical and mechanical qualities, as well as cost-performance advantages. It has a long lifespan and requires little upkeep. PVC has abrasion-resistant, lightweight, and robust mechanical properties. PVC is resistant to all organic and inorganic substances. It is extremely resistant to diluted acids, alkalis, and aliphatic hydrocarbons..

Physical Properties. Property Value Conditions and Remarks Molecular weight (resin) 140000 cf: K57 PVC 70,000 Relative density 1.42 – 1.48 cf: PE 0.95 – 0.96, GRP 1.4 – 2.1, CI 7.2, Clay 1.8 – 2.6 Water absorption 0.0012 23°C, 24 hours cf: AC 18 – 20% AS1711 Hardness 80 Shore D Durometer, Brinell 15, Rockwell R 114, cf: PE Shore D 60 Impact strength – 20°C 20 kJ/m 2 Charpy 250 µm notch tip radius Impact strength – 0°C 8 kJ/m 2 Charpy 250 µm notch tip radius Coefficient of friction 0.4 PVC to PVC cf : PE 0.25, PA 0.3.

Mechanical Properties. Property Value Conditions and Remarks Ultimate tensile strength 52 MPa AS 1175 Tensometer at constant strain rate cf: PE 30 Elongation at break 50 – 80% AS 1175 Tensometer at constant strain rate cf: PE 600-900 Short term creep rupture 44 MPa Constant load 1 hour value cf: PE 14, ABS 25 Long term creep rupture 28 MPa Constant load extrapolated 50 year value cf: PE 8-12 Elastic tensile modulus 3.0 – 3.3 GPa 1% strain at 100 seconds cf: PE 0.9-1.2 Elastic flexural modulus 2.7 – 3.0 GPa 1% strain at 100 seconds cf: PE 0.7-0.9 Long term creep modulus 0.9 – 1.2 GPa Constant load extrapolated 50 year secant value cf: PE 0.2 – 0.3 Shear modulus 1.0 GPa 1% strain at 100 seconds G=E/2/(1+µ) cf: PE 0.2 Bulk modulus 4.7 GPa 1% strain at 100 seconds K=E/3/(1-2µ) cf: PE 2.0 Poisson’s ratio 0.4 Increases marginally with time under load. cf : PE 0.45.

Electrical Properties. Property Value Conditions and Remarks Dielectric strength (breakdown) 14 – 20 kV/mm Short term, 3 mm specimen cf PE 70 – 85 Volume resistivity 2 x 10 14 Ω. m AS 1255.1 PE > 10 16 Surface resistivity 10 13 – 10 14 Ω AS 1255.1 PE > 10 13 Dielectric constant (permittivity) 3.9 (3.3) 50 Hz (106 Hz) AS 1255.4 cf PE 2.3 – 2.5 Dissipation factor (power factor) 0.01 (0.02) 50 Hz (106 Hz) AS 1255.4.

Thermal Properties. Property Value Conditions and Remarks Softening point 80 – 84°C Vicat method AS 1462.5 (min. 75°C for pipes) Max. continuous service temp. 60°C cf: PE 80*, PP 110* not under pressure Coefficient of thermal expansion 7 x 10 -5 K 7 mm per 10 m per 10°C cf: PE 18 – 20 x 10 -5 , DI 1.2 x 10 -5 Thermal conductivity 0.16 W/(m.K) 0 – 50°C PE 0.4 Specific heat 1,000 J/(kg.K) 0 – 50°C Thermal diffusivity 1.1 x 10 -7 m 2 /s 0 – 50°C.

Fire Performance. Property Value Conditions and Remarks Flammability (oxygen index) 0.45 ASTM D2863 Fennimore Martin test, cf: PE 17.5, PP 17.5 Ignitability index 10 – 12 (/20) cf: 9 – 10 when tested as pipe AS 1530 Early Fire Hazard Test Smoke produced index 6 – 8 (/l0) cf: 4 – 6 when tested as pipe AS 1530 Early Fire Hazard Test Heat evolved index 0 Spread of flame index 0 Will not support combustion. AS 1530 Early Fire Hazard Test.