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PVC 1120 vs PVDC

Polymer · grade comparison

PVC 1120 and PVDC are both polymer grades. PVC 1120 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) against 18 MPa (2.61 ksi) for PVDC, about 178% more; tensile strength follows at 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) vs 34 MPa (4.93 ksi). In exchange, PVDC is the more ductile: elongation 80% versus 60% for PVC 1120, and PVC 1120 is harder (82 Shore D vs 65 Shore D). PVC 1120 is lighter (1.41 g/cm³ vs 1.68 g/cm³ for PVDC) and PVC 1120 is stiffer (2.9 GPa vs 0.5 GPa). On the shop floor, PVC 1120 machines more easily (very good vs poor), PVDC welds better (excellent vs good), and PVC 1120 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than PVDC (premium, $$$).

PVC 1120Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.

PVDCChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

PVC 1120 vs PVDC: properties

PVC 1120PVDC

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

2.9 GPa0.42 Msi
0.5 GPa0.07 Msi

Shear Modulus

1.1 GPa0.15 Msi
0.18 GPa0.03 Msi

Bulk Modulus

5 GPa0.67 Msi
0.9 GPa0.13 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.38
0.4

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

52 MPa7.5 ksi
34 MPa4.9 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

50 MPa7.3 ksi
18 MPa2.6 ksi

Elongation at Break

60%
80%

Compressive Strength

66 MPa9.6 ksi
45 MPa6.5 ksi

Compressive Modulus

2.8 GPa0.41 Msi
—

Flexural Strength

90 MPa13.1 ksi
30 MPa4.4 ksi

Flexural Modulus

2.9 GPa0.42 Msi
0.5 GPa0.07 Msi

Shear Strength

38 MPa5.5 ksi
22 MPa3.2 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

2.6 MPa·√m2.4 ksi·√in
—

Izod Impact, Notched

50 J/m0.94 ft·lbf/in
55 J/m1 ft·lbf/in

Hardness, Shore D

82 Shore D
65 Shore D

Hardness, Rockwell R

115 HRR
100 HRR

Tear Strength

—
12 kN/m68.5 lbf/in

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Glass Transition (Tg)

80°C176 °F
-15°C5 °F

Water Absorption (Saturation)

0.2%
0.1%

Melting Temperature (Tm)

—
165°C329 °F

Refractive Index

—
1.61

Light Transmission

—
88%

Same in both: Water Absorption (24 h) 0.05%

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

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

Specific Heat Capacity

950 J/kg·K0.23 BTU/lb·°F
1,150 J/kg·K0.27 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

66 µm/m·K36.7 µin/in·°F
158 µm/m·K87.8 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

60°C140 °F
75°C167 °F

Min Service Temperature

-10°C14 °F
-20°C-4 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa

76°C169 °F
60°C140 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa

72°C162 °F
—

Vicat Softening Point (B50)

80°C176 °F
70°C158 °F

Limiting Oxygen Index

45%
60%

Max Service Temperature (short-term)

70°C158 °F
100°C212 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

1×10¹³ Ω·m3.94×10²⁰ µΩ·in
1×10¹² Ω·m3.94×10¹⁹ µΩ·in

Dielectric Strength

30 kV/mm762 V/mil
18 kV/mm457 V/mil

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

3.1
3.5

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

0.018
0.03

Volume Resistivity

1×10¹⁵ Ω·cm
1×10¹⁴ Ω·cm

Surface Resistivity

1×10¹⁴ Ω
—

Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)

600 V
—

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

90 / 100
88 / 100

UV / Weathering Resistance

40 / 100
35 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

75 / 100
30 / 100

Weldability

60 / 100
85 / 100

Formability (cold)

55 / 100
75 / 100

Polishability

65 / 100
40 / 100

Mold Shrinkage

0.3%
1.5%

Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)

190°C374 °F
172°C342 °F

Mold Temperature (typ.)

40°C104 °F
30°C86 °F

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

62 MJ/kg26,655 BTU/lb
80 MJ/kg34,394 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2.6 kg CO₂/kg
3.6 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

180 L/kg21.6 gal/lb
—

Typical Recycled Content

3%
0%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

37 kN·m/kg
20 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

2.1 MN·m/kg
0.3 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

431 kJ/m³
324 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 scalePVDCPVC 1120

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityPVC 1120PVDC
Default condition——
Relative cost$ Budget$$$ Premium
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

PVC 1120 vs PVDC — frequently asked

Is PVC 1120 stronger than PVDC?

Yes. PVC 1120 has a typical yield strength of 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) against 18 MPa (2.61 ksi) for PVDC — about 178% more. Tensile strength is 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) vs 34 MPa (4.93 ksi).

Which is cheaper, PVC 1120 or PVDC?

PVC 1120 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while PVDC is premium ($$$). 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 PVDC?

PVC 1120. Its machinability rates very good (75/100) against poor (30/100) for PVDC; for welding the order is PVDC first (excellent, 85/100) then PVC 1120 (good, 60/100).

Ready to make it?

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