CPE
ASTM D6100 · GB GB/T 3830
CPE is post-chlorinated HDPE supplied under ASTM D6100 and GB/T 3830, offered both as rigid impact-modifier powders (135A, 135B, 140B, CPE-30) and as elastomeric rubber grades (CM-A60, CM-A70, CM-A80), with FR-V0 and UV-stabilised variants.
Reference datasheet — CPE is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the 135A condition
CPE grades and fills
CPE is supplied in 9 conditions, soft to hard. 135A is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 9 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
135ADefault CPE-135A | Pick this 35% chlorine, high-molecular-weight amorphous type as the general impact modifier for PVC profiles, pipe and sheet, where the low-temperature impact gain is largest. | 8 | 700 | 18 Shore D | |
CPE-25/30 | Pick the low-chlorine 25–30% semi-crystalline type to toughen PE/PP and act as a flame-retardant synergist; retained PE crystallinity gives Shore D42 hardness and low elasticity. | 8 | 15 | 500 | 42 Shore D |
CPE-135B | Choose the 35% chlorine version with higher residual crystallinity when powder flow, anti-caking and fast dispersion govern high-speed mixing of PVC pipe and profile formulations. | 10 | 600 | 22 Shore D | |
FR | Specify the Sb2O3/ATH flame-retardant cured jacket compound when UL 94 V-0, low smoke or high LOI is required; density rises to 1.5 g/cm³ and elongation drops to 250% at 105 °C. | 10 | 250 | 30 Shore D | |
/ | Choose the carbon-black and hindered-amine stabilized weathering grade for roofing waterproof sheet and geomembrane, where the stabilizer package suppresses HCl loss and photo-ageing. | 11 | 350 | 25 Shore D | |
CPE-140B | Use the 40–42% chlorine type for flame-retardant cable compounds and flexible blends needing better PVC compatibility, oil and fire resistance; low-temperature performance falls off. | 12 | 450 | 28 Shore D | |
CM Shore A60 | Choose the peroxide- or thiadiazole-cured Shore A60 compound for soft cable jackets, hose and membranes that must stay flexible in cold weather outdoors, at 12 MPa and 125 °C service. | 12 | 420 | 14 Shore D | |
CM Shore A70 | Use this Shore A70 cured compound as the default balance of mechanical properties and oil resistance for automotive hose, gaskets and waterproofing sheet, at 14 MPa and 350% elongation. | 14 | 350 | 22 Shore D | |
CM Shore A80 | Pick the highly filled, hard Shore A80 cured compound for abrasion-resistant linings, roll covers and stiff jackets; elongation drops to 280% at 16 MPa tensile. | 16 | 280 | 30 Shore D |
What is CPE?
CPE is post-chlorinated HDPE supplied under ASTM D6100 and GB/T 3830, offered both as rigid impact-modifier powders (135A, 135B, 140B, CPE-30) and as elastomeric rubber grades (CM-A60, CM-A70, CM-A80), with FR-V0 and UV-stabilised variants. Engineers use it as the standard toughening additive for rigid PVC and as a standalone weather-, ozone- and oil-resistant rubber, with density 1.16 g/cm3, tensile strength 8 MPa, 700% elongation and service to 120 C. Glass transition is near -20 C, so low-temperature flexibility is limited, and vulcanised sheet cannot be re-melted; where higher heat and oil resistance is required, CSM or nitrile rubber is the nearest alternative. CPE has a density of 1.16 g/cm³ (0.0419 lb/in³), lighter than 55% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -20°C (-4 °F). CPE has a tensile strength of 8 MPa (1.16 ksi), weaker than 81% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 700% and the elastic modulus is 0.02 GPa (0.0029 Msi).
What is CPE used for?
- PVC impact modifier
- cable jacketing
- flexible hose and roofing membrane
- rubber blending
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 700%, better than 96% of polymer grades
- Forms and bends easily — 90/100, better than 91% of polymer grades
- Good UV / weathering resistance — 88/100, better than 90% of polymer grades
- Low embodied carbon — 2.8 kg CO₂/kg, better than 86% of polymer grades
- Low moisture uptake — 0.1%, better than 77% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 20/100, worse than 95% of polymer grades
- Difficult to machine — 25/100, worse than 93% of polymer grades
- Low stiffness — 0.02 GPa (0.0029 Msi), worse than 75% of polymer grades
- High mold shrinkage — 1.9%, worse than 75% of polymer grades
CPE properties
Typical room-temperature values for CPE-135A; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical3
CPE has a density of 1.16 g/cm³ (0.0419 lb/in³), lighter than 55% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -20°C (-4 °F).
Mechanical8
CPE has a tensile strength of 8 MPa (1.16 ksi), weaker than 81% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 700% and the elastic modulus is 0.02 GPa (0.0029 Msi).
Thermal8
CPE is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 0.2 W/m·K (0.116 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 56% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 170 µm/m·K (94.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical5
CPE is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 22 kV/mm (558.8 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹² Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (85/100), better than 65% of polymer grades. UV resistance is excellent.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of CPE takes about 75 MJ of energy and emits 2.8 kg of CO₂ — less than 91% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability7
CPE's machinability is poor (25/100, worse than 93% of polymer grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability excellent (90/100).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the polymer family
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade FabDigit runs. CPE is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with CPE
Is CPE easy to machine?
Vulcanised sheet is die-cut with sharp steel-rule dies or cut on a low-speed bandsaw, with cooling and rigid clamping to stop the stock stretching. Conventional metal-cutting processes do not apply.
Can CPE be welded?
Unvulcanised CPE sheet can be hot-air, hot-wedge or high-frequency welded, as is normal on waterproofing membrane; once vulcanised, joints must be adhesive lap bonds.
Can CPE be formed, bent or molded?
As a modifier it is dry-blended with PVC in a high-speed mixer and extruded at 160-190 C melt temperature. Rubber grades are compounded on a two-roll mill or in an internal mixer and cured with peroxide or thiadiazole systems at 160-180 C mould temperature; vent the tool to release HCl.
CPE 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.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| chlorine (bound Cl)random chlorination sets crystallinity; 135A/B ≈35 %, 140 ≈40–42 % | 25 – 45 | 35 |
| residual crystallinityby DSC, %; one basis of GB/T 3830 classification | 0 – 15 | 3 |
| heat stabilizer / anti-caking (Ca-Zn, epadded to prevent powder caking and HCl release | 0.2 – 3 | 1 |
| volatiles (moisture)GB/T 3830 volatiles maximum | 0 – 0.5 | 0.3 |
| polyethylene (HDPE) backboneHDPE base; residual crystallinity approaches 0 as Cl rises | balance |
What surface finishes work on CPE?
Surfaces can be embossed, coated or printed. Clean with isopropyl alcohol and apply a chlorinated-rubber or polyurethane primer before bonding; the material cannot be plated.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to CPE in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- D6100
- GB (China)
- GB/T 3830
How much does CPE cost?
CPE is a budget-cost polymer ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
CPE — frequently asked
What is CPE used for?
CPE is typically used for PVC impact modifier, cable jacketing, flexible hose and roofing membrane and rubber blending. In short: standard rigid-PVC impact modifier; weather- and oil-resistant PE rubber; elastomer without cross-linked PE cost.
What is the tensile strength of CPE?
CPE has a typical tensile strength of 8 MPa (1.16 ksi) — weaker than 81% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is CPE easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, worse than 93% of polymer grades). Vulcanised sheet is die-cut with sharp steel-rule dies or cut on a low-speed bandsaw, with cooling and rigid clamping to stop the stock stretching. Conventional metal-cutting processes do not apply.
Can CPE be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Unvulcanised CPE sheet can be hot-air, hot-wedge or high-frequency welded, as is normal on waterproofing membrane; once vulcanised, joints must be adhesive lap bonds.
What surface finishes work on CPE?
Surfaces can be embossed, coated or printed. Clean with isopropyl alcohol and apply a chlorinated-rubber or polyurethane primer before bonding; the material cannot be plated.
Can CPE be formed, bent or molded?
As a modifier it is dry-blended with PVC in a high-speed mixer and extruded at 160-190 C melt temperature. Rubber grades are compounded on a two-roll mill or in an internal mixer and cured with peroxide or thiadiazole systems at 160-180 C mould temperature; vent the tool to release HCl.
What is the maximum service temperature of CPE?
CPE is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F), and briefly to 150°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between CPE 135A and CPE-30?
135A is the default condition — pick this 35% chlorine, high-molecular-weight amorphous type as the general impact modifier for PVC profiles, pipe and sheet, where the low-temperature impact gain is largest. CPE-30: pick the low-chlorine 25–30% semi-crystalline type to toughen PE/PP and act as a flame-retardant synergist; retained PE crystallinity gives Shore D42 hardness and low elasticity.
How much does CPE cost?
CPE is a budget-cost polymer ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- ASTM D1418 Standard Practice for Rubber and Rubber Latices—Nomenclature (CM) — ASTM (2022)
- Tyrin CM chlorinated polyethylene elastomer — properties and compounding guide — Dow / Trinseo (2020)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.2: Engineering Plastics / Rubber chapters — ASM International (1988)
- CPE-135A/135B/140B (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.