RVC 45PPI
Grade
Pick this medium-fine reticulation for electrochemical electrodes: specific surface area rises noticeably while pressure drop remains acceptable.
Values for the 45PPI condition
Other RVC tempers and conditions
RVC is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at RVC.
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 |
45PPIThis page 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 45PPI?
RVC 45PPI is RVC in the 45PPI grade — pick this medium-fine reticulation for electrochemical electrodes: specific surface area rises noticeably while pressure drop remains acceptable. RVC 45PPI has a tensile strength of 0.38 MPa (0.0551 ksi), weaker than 98% of ceramic grades. Elongation at break is 0.3% and the elastic modulus is 0.1 GPa (0.0145 Msi). RVC 45PPI has a density of 0.05 g/cm³ (0.0017 lb/in³), lighter than 100% of ceramic grades. 60PPI is the default condition FabDigit quotes; 45PPI is available on request or by drawing note.
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 — 33/100, better than 85% of ceramic grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 90/100, better than 81% of ceramic grades
Limitations
- Low stiffness — 0.1 GPa (0.0145 Msi), worse than 99% of ceramic grades
- Poor heat conductor — 0.05 W/m·K (0.0289 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 99% of ceramic grades
- Limited service temperature — 400°C (752 °F), worse than 81% of ceramic grades
RVC 45PPI properties
Typical room-temperature values for RVC 45PPI; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are RVC reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among ceramic grades.
Physical2
RVC 45PPI has a density of 0.05 g/cm³ (0.0017 lb/in³), lighter than 100% of ceramic grades.
Mechanical7
RVC 45PPI has a tensile strength of 0.38 MPa (0.0551 ksi), weaker than 98% of ceramic grades. Elongation at break is 0.3% and the elastic modulus is 0.1 GPa (0.0145 Msi).
Thermal5
RVC 45PPI is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 0.05 W/m·K (0.0289 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 45PPI 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 45PPI 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 45PPI's machinability is poor (33/100, better than 85% of ceramic grades).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with RVC 45PPI
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.
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.
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) | — |
RVC 45PPI — frequently asked
What is RVC 45PPI used for?
RVC 45PPI 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 45PPI?
RVC 45PPI has a typical tensile strength of 0.38 MPa (0.0551 ksi) — weaker than 98% of ceramic grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is RVC 45PPI easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (33/100, 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 45PPI 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 45PPI?
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 45PPI 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 45PPI?
RVC 45PPI 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.