Properties of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a widely used thermoplastic polymer derived from vinyl chloride monomers. Known for its strength, chemical resistance, and affordability, PVC finds extensive application across construction, automotive, healthcare, and industrial sectors.
The following table provides a comprehensive list of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) properties in both SI and US customary/Imperial units at normal temperature and pressure (NTP).
Click on the button to switch between Metric and Imperial units.
Physical Properties | Metric |
---|---|
Category | Thermoplastic |
Density | 1160 - 1550 kg/m3 |
Water Absorption | 0.15 - 1 %wt/day |
Mechanical Properties | Metric |
Ultimate Tensile Strength | 7 - 27 MPa |
Young’s Modulus (E) | 2.1 - 2.7 GPa |
Flexural Modulus | 1 GPa |
Elongation at Break | 4.5 - 65% |
Shore Hardness (D) | 65 - 85 |
Thermal Properties | Metric |
Melting Point | 212 °C |
Thermal Conductivity | 0.167 W/m·K |
Specific Heat Capacity (Cp) | 1674 J/kg·K |
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (αL) | 6×10-5 - 7×10-5 1/°C |
Glass Transition Temperature (Tg) | 81 - 87 °C |
Electrical Properties | Metric |
Relative Permittivity (@1 MHz) (εr) | 2.9 - 3.6 |
Electrical Resistivity | 1016 Ω·cm |
Dielectric Field Strength (Ed) | 160 - 590 kV/cm |
Optical Properties | Metric |
Refractive Index (589 nm) | 1.54 |
Hazardous Data | Metric |
Flammability Rating (ANSI/UL 94) | Self extinguishable |
Unless stated otherwise, all values are taken at room temperature (approximately 20°C or 68°F) and 1 atm pressure. (1 atm = 101,325 Pa)
References: 1) Cardarelli, François. Materials Handbook: A Concise Desktop Reference. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing, 2018. 2) CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 97th Edition. United Kingdom: CRC Press, 2016-2017. 3) A.M. Howatson, P.G. Lun, J.D. Todd, P.D. Engineering Tables and Data. United Kingdom: University of Oxford, Department of Engineering Science, 2009.