CPVC vs PVC Foam Board
Polymer · grade comparison
CPVC and PVC Foam Board are both polymer grades. CPVC is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) against 10 MPa (1.45 ksi) for PVC Foam Board, about 5.5 times as much. CPVC is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 12% for PVC Foam Board, and CPVC is harder (82 Shore D vs 50 Shore D). PVC Foam Board is lighter (0.5 g/cm³ vs 1.54 g/cm³ for CPVC) and CPVC is stiffer (3 GPa vs 0.75 GPa). On the shop floor, PVC Foam Board machines more easily (excellent vs very good), CPVC welds better (65 vs 55 out of 100), and PVC Foam Board sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than CPVC (standard, $$).
CPVCChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
PVC Foam BoardChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part is machined in volume.
CPVC vs PVC Foam Board: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all polymer grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all polymer grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Compressive Modulus
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Shear Strength
Izod Impact, Notched
Hardness, Shore D
Hardness, Rockwell R
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (24 h)
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Refractive Index
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
Limiting Oxygen Index
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹³ Ω·m3.94×10²⁰ µΩ·in · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹⁵ Ω·cm
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
UV / Weathering Resistance
Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 85 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Mold Shrinkage
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Mold Temperature (typ.)
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | CPVC | PVC Foam Board |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Sheet metal | Yes | — |
| Injection molding | Yes | — |
| Default condition | Unfilled | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $ Budget |
| Min. machined wall | 0.5 mm | — |
| Best machined surface | Ra 0.8 µm | — |
| Chrome Plating (Plastic) | Yes | — |
| EMI Shielding Coating | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
| Soft Touch Coating | Yes | — |
| Spray Painting | Yes | — |
| UV Coating | Yes | — |
CPVC vs PVC Foam Board — frequently asked
Is CPVC stronger than PVC Foam Board?
Yes. CPVC has a typical tensile strength of 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) against 10 MPa (1.45 ksi) for PVC Foam Board — about 5.5 times as much.
Which is cheaper, CPVC or PVC Foam Board?
PVC Foam Board is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while CPVC 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 or PVC Foam Board?
PVC Foam Board. Its machinability rates excellent (90/100) against very good (75/100) for CPVC; for welding the order is CPVC first (good, 65/100) then PVC Foam Board (good, 55/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in CPVC and PVC Foam Board 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.