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CPVC 4120 vs PVC 1120

Polymer · grade comparison

CPVC 4120 and PVC 1120 are both polymer grades. CPVC 4120 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) against 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) for PVC 1120, about 6% more. In exchange, PVC 1120 is the more ductile: elongation 60% versus 25% for CPVC 4120. PVC 1120 is lighter (1.41 g/cm³ vs 1.53 g/cm³ for CPVC 4120) and CPVC 4120 runs hotter in service (93°C vs 60°C continuous). On the shop floor, CPVC 4120 welds better (very good vs good) and PVC 1120 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than CPVC 4120 (standard, $$).

CPVC 4120Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

PVC 1120Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.

CPVC 4120 vs PVC 1120: properties

CPVC 4120PVC 1120

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

3 GPa0.44 Msi
2.9 GPa0.42 Msi

Shear Modulus

1.1 GPa0.16 Msi
1.1 GPa0.15 Msi

Bulk Modulus

4 GPa0.61 Msi
5 GPa0.67 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

55 MPa8 ksi
52 MPa7.5 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

52 MPa7.5 ksi
50 MPa7.3 ksi

Elongation at Break

25%
60%

Compressive Strength

65 MPa9.4 ksi
66 MPa9.6 ksi

Flexural Strength

100 MPa14.5 ksi
90 MPa13.1 ksi

Flexural Modulus

3 GPa0.44 Msi
2.9 GPa0.42 Msi

Shear Strength

42 MPa6.1 ksi
38 MPa5.5 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

3 MPa·√m2.7 ksi·√in
2.6 MPa·√m2.4 ksi·√in

Izod Impact, Notched

110 J/m2.1 ft·lbf/in
50 J/m0.94 ft·lbf/in

Hardness, Rockwell R

118 HRR
115 HRR

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.38 · Compressive Modulus 2.8 GPa0.41 Msi · Hardness, Shore D 82 Shore D

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

1.53 g/cm³0.06 lb/in³
1.41 g/cm³0.05 lb/in³

Glass Transition (Tg)

120°C248 °F
80°C176 °F

Water Absorption (24 h)

0.04%
0.05%

Water Absorption (Saturation)

0.15%
0.2%

Refractive Index

1.53
—

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

0.14 W/m·K0.08 BTU/hr·ft·°F
0.15 W/m·K0.09 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

65 µm/m·K36.1 µin/in·°F
66 µm/m·K36.7 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

93°C199 °F
60°C140 °F

Min Service Temperature

-20°C-4 °F
-10°C14 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa

118°C244 °F
76°C169 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa

104°C219 °F
72°C162 °F

Vicat Softening Point (B50)

113°C235 °F
80°C176 °F

Limiting Oxygen Index

60%
45%

Max Service Temperature (short-term)

105°C221 °F
70°C158 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 950 J/kg·K0.23 BTU/lb·°F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Dielectric Strength

22 kV/mm559 V/mil
30 kV/mm762 V/mil

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

3.3
3.1

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

0.02
0.018

Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹³ Ω·m3.94×10²⁰ µΩ·in · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹⁵ Ω·cm · Surface Resistivity 1×10¹⁴ Ω · Comparative Tracking Index (CTI) 600 V

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

92 / 100
90 / 100

UV / Weathering Resistance

45 / 100
40 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

80 / 100
75 / 100

Weldability

70 / 100
60 / 100

Polishability

50 / 100
65 / 100

Mold Shrinkage

0.4%
0.3%

Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)

200°C392 °F
190°C374 °F

Mold Temperature (typ.)

50°C122 °F
40°C104 °F

Same in both: Formability (cold) 55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

72 MJ/kg30,954 BTU/lb
62 MJ/kg26,655 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2.9 kg CO₂/kg
2.6 kg CO₂/kg

Typical Recycled Content

2%
3%

Same in both: Embodied Water 180 L/kg21.6 gal/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

36 kN·m/kg
37 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

2 MN·m/kg
2.1 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

451 kJ/m³
431 kJ/m³

Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 0.1 mm²/s · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 0

Strength versus weight

Yield strength against density for every polymer grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.

0.1110100123Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scalePVC 1120CPVC 4120

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityCPVC 4120PVC 1120
Default condition——
Relative cost$$ Standard$ Budget
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

CPVC 4120 vs PVC 1120 — frequently asked

Is CPVC 4120 stronger than PVC 1120?

Yes. CPVC 4120 has a typical tensile strength of 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) against 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) for PVC 1120 — about 6% more.

Which is cheaper, CPVC 4120 or PVC 1120?

PVC 1120 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while CPVC 4120 is standard ($$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.

Which is easier to machine, CPVC 4120 or PVC 1120?

CPVC 4120, by a small margin. Both rate very good for machinability — 80/100 against 75/100 for PVC 1120; for welding the order is CPVC 4120 first (very good, 70/100) then PVC 1120 (good, 60/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in CPVC 4120 and PVC 1120 side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.

Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.