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PVC 1120 vs PVC-O

Polymer · grade comparison

PVC 1120 and PVC-O are both polymer grades. PVC-O is the stronger of the two: yield strength 58 MPa (8.41 ksi) against 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) for PVC 1120, about 16% more; tensile strength follows at 78 MPa (11.3 ksi) vs 52 MPa (7.54 ksi). PVC-O is the more ductile: elongation 90% versus 60% for PVC 1120. PVC-O is stiffer (3.8 GPa vs 2.9 GPa) and PVC 1120 runs hotter in service (60°C vs 45°C continuous). On the shop floor, PVC 1120 welds better (good vs poor) and PVC 1120 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than PVC-O (standard, $$).

PVC 1120Choose it when the part sees heat, or when it will be welded.

PVC-OChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

PVC 1120 vs PVC-O: properties

PVC 1120PVC-O

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

2.9 GPa0.42 Msi
3.8 GPa0.55 Msi

Shear Modulus

1.1 GPa0.15 Msi
—

Bulk Modulus

5 GPa0.67 Msi
—

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

52 MPa7.5 ksi
78 MPa11.3 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

50 MPa7.3 ksi
58 MPa8.4 ksi

Elongation at Break

60%
90%

Compressive Strength

66 MPa9.6 ksi
65 MPa9.4 ksi

Compressive Modulus

2.8 GPa0.41 Msi
—

Flexural Strength

90 MPa13.1 ksi
95 MPa13.8 ksi

Flexural Modulus

2.9 GPa0.42 Msi
3.5 GPa0.51 Msi

Shear Strength

38 MPa5.5 ksi
45 MPa6.5 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

2.6 MPa·√m2.4 ksi·√in
4.5 MPa·√m4.1 ksi·√in

Izod Impact, Notched

50 J/m0.94 ft·lbf/in
400 J/m7.5 ft·lbf/in

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.38 · Hardness, Shore D 82 Shore D · Hardness, Rockwell R 115 HRR

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

1.41 g/cm³0.05 lb/in³
1.4 g/cm³0.05 lb/in³

Water Absorption (24 h)

0.05%
0.04%

Same in both: Glass Transition (Tg) 80°C176 °F · Water Absorption (Saturation) 0.2%

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

66 µm/m·K36.7 µin/in·°F
70 µm/m·K38.9 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

60°C140 °F
45°C113 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa

72°C162 °F
70°C158 °F

Vicat Softening Point (B50)

80°C176 °F
82°C180 °F

Limiting Oxygen Index

45%
43%

Max Service Temperature (short-term)

70°C158 °F
60°C140 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 950 J/kg·K0.23 BTU/lb·°F · Min Service Temperature -10°C14 °F · Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa 76°C169 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Dielectric Strength

30 kV/mm762 V/mil
25 kV/mm635 V/mil

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

0.018
0.015

Surface Resistivity

1×10¹⁴ Ω
—

Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)

600 V
—

Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹³ Ω·m3.94×10²⁰ µΩ·in · Dielectric Constant (1 MHz) 3.1 · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹⁵ Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

90 / 100
92 / 100

UV / Weathering Resistance

40 / 100
55 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

75 / 100
70 / 100

Weldability

60 / 100
25 / 100

Formability (cold)

55 / 100
15 / 100

Polishability

65 / 100
45 / 100

Mold Shrinkage

0.3%
—

Mold Temperature (typ.)

40°C104 °F
—

Same in both: Processing Melt Temperature (typ.) 190°C374 °F

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

62 MJ/kg26,655 BTU/lb
65 MJ/kg27,945 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2.6 kg CO₂/kg
2.5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

180 L/kg21.6 gal/lb
500 L/kg59.9 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

3%
0%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

37 kN·m/kg
56 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

2.1 MN·m/kg
2.7 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

431 kJ/m³
443 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-OPVC 1120

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityPVC 1120PVC-O
Default condition——
Relative cost$ Budget$$ Standard
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

PVC 1120 vs PVC-O — frequently asked

Is PVC-O stronger than PVC 1120?

Yes. PVC-O has a typical yield strength of 58 MPa (8.41 ksi) against 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) for PVC 1120 — about 16% more. Tensile strength is 78 MPa (11.3 ksi) vs 52 MPa (7.54 ksi).

Which is cheaper, PVC 1120 or PVC-O?

PVC 1120 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while PVC-O 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, PVC 1120 or PVC-O?

PVC 1120, by a small margin. Both rate very good for machinability — 75/100 against 70/100 for PVC-O; for welding the order is PVC 1120 first (good, 60/100) then PVC-O (poor, 25/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in PVC 1120 and PVC-O 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.