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RVC 80PPI

Grade

Use the very fine reticulation for mass-transfer-limited electrochemical reactors and microfiltration that need higher specific surface area, accepting greater pressure drop.

High cost $$$$

Values for the 80PPI 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 datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
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.—0.20.3—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.—0.280.3—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.—0.320.3—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.—0.380.3—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.—0.420.3—0.06 W/m·K
80PPIThis page
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.—0.480.3—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.—0.550.3—0.07 W/m·K

What is RVC 80PPI?

RVC 80PPI is RVC in the 80PPI grade — use the very fine reticulation for mass-transfer-limited electrochemical reactors and microfiltration that need higher specific surface area, accepting greater pressure drop. RVC 80PPI has a tensile strength of 0.48 MPa (0.0696 ksi), weaker than 97% of ceramic grades. Elongation at break is 0.3% and the elastic modulus is 0.13 GPa (0.0189 Msi). RVC 80PPI 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; 80PPI 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 — 38/100, better than 86% of ceramic grades
  • Good corrosion resistance — 88/100, better than 77% of ceramic grades

Limitations

  • Poor heat conductor — 0.06 W/m·K (0.0347 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 99% of ceramic grades
  • Low stiffness — 0.13 GPa (0.0189 Msi), worse than 98% of ceramic grades
  • Limited service temperature — 375°C (707 °F), worse than 81% of ceramic grades

RVC 80PPI properties

Typical room-temperature values for RVC 80PPI; 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 80PPI has a density of 0.05 g/cm³ (0.0017 lb/in³), lighter than 100% of ceramic grades.

Density0.05 g/cm³0 lb/in³
Porosity97%

Mechanical7

RVC 80PPI has a tensile strength of 0.48 MPa (0.0696 ksi), weaker than 97% of ceramic grades. Elongation at break is 0.3% and the elastic modulus is 0.13 GPa (0.0189 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus0.13 GPa0.02 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.2
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)0.48 MPa0.07 ksi
Elongation at Break0.3%
Compressive Strength1 MPa0.16 ksi
Flexural Strength0.75 MPa0.11 ksi
Shear Strength0.28 MPa0.04 ksi

Thermal5

RVC 80PPI is rated for continuous service to 375°C (707 °F). It conducts heat at 0.06 W/m·K (0.0347 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 99% of ceramic grades. Thermal expansion is 2.6 µm/m·K (1.44 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity0.06 W/m·K0.03 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity710 J/kg·K0.17 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)2.6 µm/m·K1.4 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)375°C707 °F
Min Service Temperature-269°C-452 °F

Electrical2

RVC 80PPI has an electrical resistivity of 0.0045 Ω·m.

Electrical Resistivity0.0045 Ω·m177,165 µΩ·in
Volume Resistivity0.45 Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental2

Corrosion resistance is excellent (88/100), better than 77% of ceramic grades.

Corrosion ResistanceExcellent88/100
Chemical Resistance Summary—

Sustainability3

Producing a kilogram of RVC 80PPI takes about 260 MJ of energy and emits 20 kg of CO₂ — more than 69% of ceramic grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)260 MJ/kg111,780 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)20 kg CO₂/kg
Typical Recycled Content0%

Manufacturability2

RVC 80PPI's machinability is fair (38/100, better than 86% of ceramic grades).

MachinabilityFair38/100
Sintering / Firing Temperature1,200°C2,192 °F

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with RVC 80PPI

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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
ash (Si+Ca+Fe+Na oxides)total ash; <0.05 % in high-purity grades0 – 0.50.1
Hresidual hydrogen, decreases with higher carbonization temperature0 – 0.30.05
Cglassy carbon skeleton from pyrolyzed phenolic/polyfurfuryl resin≥ 99 (balance)—

RVC 80PPI — frequently asked

What is RVC 80PPI used for?

RVC 80PPI 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 80PPI?

RVC 80PPI has a typical tensile strength of 0.48 MPa (0.0696 ksi) — weaker than 97% of ceramic grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.

Is RVC 80PPI easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated fair (38/100, better than 86% 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 80PPI 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 80PPI?

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 80PPI 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 80PPI?

RVC 80PPI is rated for continuous use to about 375°C (707 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

Sources

  1. Duocel Reticulated Vitreous Carbon (RVC) Foam Data — ERG Aerospace (2022)
  2. Glassy Carbon and Carbon Foams — properties overview — ASM International / Carbon materials literature (2015)
  3. 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.