CPVC FOAM
Grade
ISO 1043 PVC-C · also Corzan, Chlorinated PVC
FOAM = 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).
Values for the FOAM condition
Other CPVC grades and fills
CPVC is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at CPVC.
Compare all 4 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FOAMThis page 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 | — |
What is CPVC FOAM?
CPVC FOAM is CPVC in the FOAM grade — use where weight, insulation or cost per area matters and pressure rating is not required (duct, non-pressure sheet, foam-core pipe). CPVC FOAM has a yield strength of 23 MPa (3.34 ksi) and a tensile strength of 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) — weaker than 77% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 1.5 GPa (0.218 Msi). CPVC FOAM has a density of 0.9 g/cm³ (0.0325 lb/in³), lighter than 82% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 115°C (239 °F).
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 85/100, better than 88% of polymer grades
- Low moisture uptake — 0.04%, better than 86% of polymer grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3 kg CO₂/kg, better than 83% of polymer grades
- Lightweight — 0.9 g/cm³ (0.0325 lb/in³), better than 82% of polymer grades
- Good UV / weathering resistance — 55/100, better than 77% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 0.08 W/m·K (0.0462 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 83% of polymer grades
- Low strength — 23 MPa (3.34 ksi), worse than 77% of polymer grades
CPVC FOAM properties
Typical room-temperature values for CPVC FOAM; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are CPVC reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical5
CPVC FOAM has a density of 0.9 g/cm³ (0.0325 lb/in³), lighter than 82% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 115°C (239 °F).
Mechanical14
CPVC FOAM has a yield strength of 23 MPa (3.34 ksi) and a tensile strength of 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) — weaker than 77% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 1.5 GPa (0.218 Msi).
Thermal11
CPVC FOAM is rated for continuous service to 85°C (185 °F). It conducts heat at 0.08 W/m·K (0.0462 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 83% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 68 µm/m·K (37.8 µin/in·°F).
Electrical6
CPVC FOAM 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 FOAM 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 FOAM's machinability is excellent (85/100, better than 88% of polymer grades); weldability good (60/100); formability fair (35/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with CPVC FOAM
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.
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.
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) | — |
CPVC FOAM — frequently asked
What is CPVC FOAM used for?
CPVC FOAM 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 FOAM?
CPVC FOAM has a typical yield strength of 23 MPa (3.34 ksi) and a tensile strength of 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) — weaker than 77% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is CPVC FOAM easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (85/100, better than 88% 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 FOAM be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). 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 FOAM?
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 FOAM 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 FOAM?
CPVC FOAM is rated for continuous use to about 85°C (185 °F), and briefly to 105°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in CPVC FOAM?
Yes — CPVC FOAM 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.