CPVC · reinforced grade
CPVC-GF20
Properties of the GF20 condition, compared with the other CPVC grades.
For structural fittings, valve bodies and duct components needing higher stiffness and lower creep/CTE at temperature.
What is CPVC-GF20?
CPVC-GF20 is CPVC in the GF20 grade — for structural fittings, valve bodies and duct components needing higher stiffness and lower creep/CTE at temperature. CPVC-GF20 has a yield strength of 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) and a tensile strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) — stronger than 52% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 2.5% and the elastic modulus is 6.5 GPa (0.943 Msi). CPVC-GF20 has a density of 1.65 g/cm³ (0.0596 lb/in³), heavier than 93% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 115°C (239 °F). Unfilled is the default condition FabDigit quotes; GF20 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Low, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.2%, better than 95% of polymer grades
- Stiff — 6.5 GPa (0.943 Msi), better than 89% of polymer grades
- Low moisture uptake — 0.04%, better than 86% of polymer grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3 kg CO₂/kg, better than 84% of polymer grades
- Good UV / weathering resistance — 55/100, better than 77% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Heavy — 1.65 g/cm³ (0.0596 lb/in³), worse than 93% of polymer grades
- Limited ductility — 2.5%, worse than 89% of polymer grades
- Poor heat conductor — 0.14 W/m·K (0.0809 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 81% of polymer grades
CPVC-GF20 properties
Typical room-temperature values for CPVC-GF20 — 12 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every CPVC grade. Each bar shows where the value sits among the polymer grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical5
CPVC-GF20 has a density of 1.65 g/cm³ (0.0596 lb/in³), heavier than 93% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 115°C (239 °F).
Mechanical14
CPVC-GF20 has a yield strength of 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) and a tensile strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) — stronger than 52% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 2.5% and the elastic modulus is 6.5 GPa (0.943 Msi).
Thermal11
CPVC-GF20 is rated for continuous service to 100°C (212 °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 35 µm/m·K (19.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical6
CPVC-GF20 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 63% of polymer grades. UV resistance is good.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of CPVC-GF20 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-GF20's machinability is good (60/100, better than 51% of polymer grades); weldability good (65/100); formability good (55/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other CPVC grades and fills
CPVC is also supplied in 5 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the CPVC overview.
- UnfilledDefaultDefault choice for pipe, fittings, sheet and machined parts in hot corrosive service to ~93 °C.55 MPa tensile
- GF20For structural fittings, valve bodies and duct components needing higher stiffness and lower creep/CTE at temperature.75 MPa tensile
- IMChoose where installation abuse or sub-ambient handling causes brittle cracking; trades some stiffness and HDT for toughness.48 MPa tensile
Working with CPVC-GF20
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-GF20 — frequently asked
What is CPVC-GF20 used for?
CPVC-GF20 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-GF20?
CPVC-GF20 has a typical yield strength of 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) and a tensile strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) — stronger than 52% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is CPVC-GF20 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, better than 51% 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-GF20 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-GF20?
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-GF20 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-GF20?
CPVC-GF20 is rated for continuous use to about 100°C (212 °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-GF20?
Yes — CPVC-GF20 is available for CNC machining, sheet metal and injection molding with instant online pricing. 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.