CPVC
ISO 1043 PVC-C · also Corzan, Chlorinated PVC
CPVC is post-chlorinated PVC: the added chlorine raises heat resistance to about 93 °C service (up to ~95 °C) and improves chemical resistance over standard PVC, with piping compounds specified to ASTM D1784 Class 23447.
CPVC grades and fills
CPVC is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 4 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cellular (foam-core) CPVC sheet / pipe | Use where weight, insulation or cost per area matters and pressure rating is not required (duct, non-pressure sheet, foam-core pipe). | 23 | 25 | 12 | 68 Shore D |
Impact-modified CPVC compound | Choose where installation abuse or sub-ambient handling causes brittle cracking; trades some stiffness and HDT for toughness. | 44 | 48 | 50 | 78 Shore D |
ASTM D1784 pressure-pipe cell class | Pick for potable hot/cold water, fire sprinkler and industrial pressure piping where D1784 cell-class minimums must be met. | 52 | 55 | 25 | 82 Shore D |
20% glass-fiber reinforced CPVC | For structural fittings, valve bodies and duct components needing higher stiffness and lower creep/CTE at temperature. | 75 | 2.5 |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways CPVC is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
NSF61 | NSF/ANSI 61 & 14 potable-water certified compound | Certification |
UnfilledDefault | Standard rigid CPVC compound | Standard supply |
What is CPVC?
CPVC is post-chlorinated PVC: the added chlorine raises heat resistance to about 93 °C service (up to ~95 °C) and improves chemical resistance over standard PVC, with piping compounds specified to ASTM D1784 Class 23447. It is chosen for hot and corrosive fluid handling and is available as pipe, fittings, sheet and injection-molded parts, including NSF 61, GF20 and foam variants, at 55 MPa tensile and 25% elongation with easy machining. Limits are a narrow processing window, HCl release above 220 °C, CPVC-specific solvent cement and no paintability or plating; PVC suits cooler lines and PVDF or PP higher temperatures. CPVC has a density of 1.54 g/cm³ (0.0556 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 115°C (239 °F). CPVC has a yield strength of 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) and a tensile strength of 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) — stronger than 56% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 3 GPa (0.435 Msi).
What is CPVC used for?
- Hot water plumbing pipe and fittings
- Fire sprinkler piping
- Chemical process piping and valve bodies
- Corrosive drain and vent lines
- Tank fittings and machined fluid blocks
- Duct and fume-handling sheet fabrications
- Pump and filter housings
Advantages
- Low moisture uptake — 0.04%, better than 86% of polymer grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3 kg CO₂/kg, better than 83% of polymer grades
- Easy to machine — 75/100, better than 78% of polymer grades
- Good UV / weathering resistance — 55/100, better than 77% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Heavy — 1.54 g/cm³ (0.0556 lb/in³), worse than 90% of polymer grades
- Poor heat conductor — 0.14 W/m·K (0.0809 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 81% of polymer grades
CPVC properties
Typical room-temperature values in the Unfilled condition; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical5
CPVC has a density of 1.54 g/cm³ (0.0556 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 115°C (239 °F).
Mechanical14
CPVC has a yield strength of 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) and a tensile strength of 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) — stronger than 56% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 3 GPa (0.435 Msi).
Thermal11
CPVC is rated for continuous service to 93°C (199 °F). It conducts heat at 0.14 W/m·K (0.0809 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 81% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 68 µm/m·K (37.8 µin/in·°F).
Electrical6
CPVC is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 22 kV/mm (558.8 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹³ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (85/100), better than 65% of polymer grades. UV resistance is good.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of CPVC takes about 75 MJ of energy and emits 3 kg of CO₂ — less than 91% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability7
CPVC's machinability is very good (75/100, better than 78% of polymer grades); weldability good (65/100); formability good (55/100).
Common Calculations5
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. CPVC is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with CPVC
Is CPVC easy to machine?
Machines easily with sharp, high-rake carbide tools, high speed and light feeds; use air or flood coolant to avoid heat build-up and gummy edges, and avoid deep unrelieved stress in threaded sections.
Can CPVC be welded?
Joined by solvent cement (CPVC-specific cement, not PVC) or hot-gas/hot-plate welding; never hot-melt butt-fuse like PE and never flame-heat, since >220 °C releases HCl.
Can CPVC be formed, bent or molded?
Extrudes and injection molds in a narrow window (185–210 °C melt, 40–75 °C mold) with corrosion-resistant screws/tools, generous venting and no hang-up; thermoforms at ~130–160 °C.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to CPVC. Every CPVC part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better75 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | N.8 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 400 / 500 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.5 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 10× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 0.8 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Excellent55 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Excellent65 / 100 |
Injection molding
| Mold shrinkage | — |
|---|---|
| Wall thickness | — – — |
| Recommended draft | — |
| Pre-drying | — |
CPVC 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, of resin)characterizing parameter of CPVC resin, not a separate additive | 63 – 69 | 67 |
| tin/Ca-Zn heat stabilizerorganotin mercaptide typical for pipe compounds | 1.5 – 4 | 2.5 |
| impact modifier (acrylic/CPE)higher in impact-modified variants | 0 – 8 | 4 |
| process aid / lubricant (acrylic, wax) | 1 – 4 | 2 |
| TiO2 pigmentUV screening for outdoor pipe | 0 – 3 | 1.5 |
| vinyl chloride (post-chlorinated PVC bacbase resin; bound chlorine content 63–69 wt% of resin vs 56.7% for PVC | ≥ 88 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on CPVC?
Not paintable without primer and not platable; parts are typically used as-molded, or lightly sanded/buffed—solvent wipe with ketones will craze the surface.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on polymer parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Injection Molding Coating
Organic Coating
Metallization / Functional
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to CPVC in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ISO
- 1043 PVC-C
- Trade names
- CorzanChlorinated PVC
- Also called
- PVC-C
How much does CPVC cost?
CPVC is a standard-cost polymer ($$), cheaper than about 60% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
CPVC — frequently asked
What is CPVC used for?
CPVC is typically used for hot water plumbing pipe and fittings, fire sprinkler piping, chemical process piping and valve bodies, corrosive drain and vent lines, tank fittings and machined fluid blocks and duct and fume-handling sheet fabrications. In short: high-temp chlorinated PVC.
What is the yield strength of CPVC?
CPVC has a typical yield strength of 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) and a tensile strength of 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) — stronger than 56% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is CPVC easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (75/100, better than 78% of polymer grades). Machines easily with sharp, high-rake carbide tools, high speed and light feeds; use air or flood coolant to avoid heat build-up and gummy edges, and avoid deep unrelieved stress in threaded sections.
Can CPVC be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (65/100). Joined by solvent cement (CPVC-specific cement, not PVC) or hot-gas/hot-plate welding; never hot-melt butt-fuse like PE and never flame-heat, since >220 °C releases HCl.
What surface finishes work on CPVC?
Not paintable without primer and not platable; parts are typically used as-molded, or lightly sanded/buffed—solvent wipe with ketones will craze the surface.
Can CPVC be formed, bent or molded?
Extrudes and injection molds in a narrow window (185–210 °C melt, 40–75 °C mold) with corrosion-resistant screws/tools, generous venting and no hang-up; thermoforms at ~130–160 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of CPVC?
CPVC is rated for continuous use to about 93°C (199 °F), and briefly to 105°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does CPVC cost?
CPVC is a standard-cost polymer ($$), cheaper than about 60% 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in CPVC?
Yes — CPVC is available for CNC machining, sheet metal and injection molding; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM D1784 — Rigid PVC and CPVC Compounds (cell classification) — ASTM (2020)
- ASTM F441/F441M — CPVC Plastic Pipe, Schedules 40 and 80 — ASTM (2020)
- ASTM F493 — Solvent Cements for CPVC Pipe and Fittings — ASTM (2020)
- Corzan CPVC industrial piping systems engineering & physical property data — Lubrizol (2023)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
- CAMPUS / UL Prospector rigid CPVC compound datasheets — CAMPUS / UL (2024)
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.