Properties of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Polyvinyl chloride, commonly known as PVC, is a versatile synthetic polymer belonging to the family of vinyl polymers. It is made from vinyl chloride monomers through a polymerization process. PVC is widely used in the construction, automotive, healthcare, and various other industries due to its durability, chemical resistance, and affordability.
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 icon 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)
Related Pages
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.