RVC
RVC (reticulated vitreous carbon) is an open-cell glassy-carbon foam produced by carbonising a resin-impregnated polyurethane template, giving a rigid carbon skeleton with very high surface area and very low density.
Reference datasheet — RVC is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the 60PPI condition
RVC tempers and conditions
RVC is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. 60PPI is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
coarse reticulation (~10 pores per inch) | Pick the coarsest reticulation for low-pressure-drop, high-throughput fluid distributors and coarse filtration; specific surface area is the lowest in the range. | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.04 W/m·K | ||
coarse-medium reticulation | Use as the general-purpose coarse-pore option for filtration and fluid distribution, keeping pressure drop very low while adding a little surface area over the 10 PPI structure. | 0.28 | 0.3 | 0.04 W/m·K | ||
medium reticulation | Choose this medium pore size when specific surface area and permeability must be traded off evenly, as in flow-through electrodes and melt filtration. | 0.32 | 0.3 | 0.05 W/m·K | ||
medium-fine reticulation | Pick this medium-fine reticulation for electrochemical electrodes: specific surface area rises noticeably while pressure drop remains acceptable. | 0.38 | 0.3 | 0.05 W/m·K | ||
60PPIDefault fine reticulation (general-purpose electrode grade) | Default choice for electrode and current-collector duty: fine reticulation gives high specific surface area with balanced strength and permeability. | 0.42 | 0.3 | 0.06 W/m·K | ||
very fine reticulation | Use the very fine reticulation for mass-transfer-limited electrochemical reactors and microfiltration that need higher specific surface area, accepting greater pressure drop. | 0.48 | 0.3 | 0.06 W/m·K | ||
finest standard reticulation | Select the finest standard reticulation for trace electrolysis and microanalysis electrodes, giving about 60–70 cm²/cm³ surface area but the highest pressure drop and greatest clogging risk. | 0.55 | 0.3 | 0.07 W/m·K |
What is RVC?
RVC (reticulated vitreous carbon) is an open-cell glassy-carbon foam produced by carbonising a resin-impregnated polyurethane template, giving a rigid carbon skeleton with very high surface area and very low density. It is selected as an electrode, current-collector and filter medium in electrochemical and high-temperature systems, and is stocked as blocks, discs and plates in 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 80 and 100 PPI pore grades. Mechanically it carries almost nothing: about 0.42 MPa tensile strength, 0.11 GPa elastic modulus and 0.055 W/m·K bulk thermal conductivity, so parts must be supported and handled as brittle. Graphite felt is the usual alternative when handling robustness matters more than a rigid open-cell structure. RVC has a density of 0.05 g/cm³ (0.0017 lb/in³), lighter than 100% of ceramic grades. RVC has a tensile strength of 0.42 MPa (0.0609 ksi), weaker than 98% of ceramic grades. Elongation at break is 0.3% and the elastic modulus is 0.11 GPa (0.016 Msi).
What is RVC used for?
- battery and fuel-cell electrodes
- molten-metal filters
- electrochemical flow-through electrodes
Advantages
- Lightweight — 0.05 g/cm³ (0.0017 lb/in³), better than 100% of ceramic grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 0.3%, better than 91% of ceramic grades
- Easy to machine — 35/100, better than 85% of ceramic grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 90/100, better than 81% of ceramic grades
Limitations
- Low stiffness — 0.11 GPa (0.016 Msi), worse than 99% of ceramic grades
- Poor heat conductor — 0.06 W/m·K (0.0318 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 99% of ceramic grades
- Limited service temperature — 400°C (752 °F), worse than 81% of ceramic grades
RVC properties
Typical room-temperature values for RVC-60PPI; bars are the position among ceramic grades.
Physical2
RVC has a density of 0.05 g/cm³ (0.0017 lb/in³), lighter than 100% of ceramic grades.
Mechanical7
RVC has a tensile strength of 0.42 MPa (0.0609 ksi), weaker than 98% of ceramic grades. Elongation at break is 0.3% and the elastic modulus is 0.11 GPa (0.016 Msi).
Thermal5
RVC is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 0.06 W/m·K (0.0318 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 99% of ceramic grades. Thermal expansion is 2.6 µm/m·K (1.44 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
RVC has an electrical resistivity of 0.005 Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is excellent (90/100), better than 81% of ceramic grades.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of RVC takes about 260 MJ of energy and emits 20 kg of CO₂ — more than 69% of ceramic grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability2
RVC's machinability is fair (35/100, better than 85% of ceramic grades).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the ceramic family
Yield strength against density for every ceramic grade FabDigit runs. RVC is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with RVC
Is RVC easy to machine?
Extremely brittle and friable; cut with sharp thin-kerf saws, belt or disc abrasives, laser, or low-pressure waterjet using light contact force. Never clamp under pressure, and blow out loose carbon dust after every cutting step.
Can RVC be welded?
Not weldable; connect to metal current collectors with conductive silver or carbon adhesive, mechanical compression contacts, or an electroplated metal layer.
Can RVC be formed, bent or molded?
Shape is set by the polyurethane template foam, and the resin-impregnated preform shrinks roughly 20–30 % during carbonisation. Form complex geometry at the template stage rather than machining after carbonisation.
RVC chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| ash (Si+Ca+Fe+Na oxides)total ash; <0.05 % in high-purity grades | 0 – 0.5 | 0.1 |
| Hresidual hydrogen, decreases with higher carbonization temperature | 0 – 0.3 | 0.05 |
| Cglassy carbon skeleton from pyrolyzed phenolic/polyfurfuryl resin | ≥ 99 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on RVC?
Surfaces can be modified by chemical or electrochemical activation, Pt, Pb or Cu electroplating, or CVD coatings. Clean with solvent or dilute acid before use to remove dust.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to RVC in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Also called
- Reticulated Vitreous Carbon
How much does RVC cost?
RVC is a high-cost ceramic ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
RVC — frequently asked
What is RVC used for?
RVC is typically used for battery and fuel-cell electrodes, molten-metal filters and electrochemical flow-through electrodes. In short: lowest-density carbon form; very high surface-area electrode; not load-bearing.
What is the tensile strength of RVC?
RVC has a typical tensile strength of 0.42 MPa (0.0609 ksi) — weaker than 98% of ceramic grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is RVC easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, better than 85% of ceramic grades). Extremely brittle and friable; cut with sharp thin-kerf saws, belt or disc abrasives, laser, or low-pressure waterjet using light contact force. Never clamp under pressure, and blow out loose carbon dust after every cutting step.
Can RVC be welded?
Not weldable; connect to metal current collectors with conductive silver or carbon adhesive, mechanical compression contacts, or an electroplated metal layer.
What surface finishes work on RVC?
Surfaces can be modified by chemical or electrochemical activation, Pt, Pb or Cu electroplating, or CVD coatings. Clean with solvent or dilute acid before use to remove dust.
Can RVC be formed, bent or molded?
Shape is set by the polyurethane template foam, and the resin-impregnated preform shrinks roughly 20–30 % during carbonisation. Form complex geometry at the template stage rather than machining after carbonisation.
What is the maximum service temperature of RVC?
RVC is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does RVC cost?
RVC is a high-cost ceramic ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- Duocel Reticulated Vitreous Carbon (RVC) Foam Data — ERG Aerospace (2022)
- Glassy Carbon and Carbon Foams — properties overview — ASM International / Carbon materials literature (2015)
- Reticulated vitreous carbon electrodes — electrochemical engineering data — Journal of Applied Electrochemistry review (2018)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.