PVC-M
PVC-M is a rigid PVC-U compound blended with impact modifiers — CPE, acrylic or MBS, sometimes with calcium carbonate filler — to raise fracture toughness for pressure pipe without the orientation step required by PVC-O.
Reference datasheet — PVC-M 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 CPE condition
PVC-M grades and fills
PVC-M is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. CPE is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 4 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CaCO₃-filled | Pick 5–15% ultrafine or activated CaCO₃ filling to cut cost and raise stiffness to 3.1 GPa; impact toughness and long-term hydrostatic strength fall, so avoid high-pressure potable water pipe. | 40 | 41 | 55 | 80 Shore D |
methyl methacrylate–butadiene–styrene modified (transparent grade) | Use MBS modification when transparent or translucent impact-resistant parts are needed — sight tubes, packaging sheet, bottles — accepting the weakest weathering, so indoor or short-term service only. | 43 | 45 | 110 | 76 Shore D |
CPEDefault chlorinated-polyethylene impact-modified general pressure-pipe grade (default) | Pick the chlorinated-polyethylene impact-modified compound as the lowest-cost pressure and sewer pipe formulation; weathering is only moderate, so TiO₂ opacification is required. | 44 | 47 | 100 | 78 Shore D |
ACR/AIM | Choose acrylic (ACR/AIM) impact modification for outdoor profiles and exposed pipework, where weathering and colour retention clearly beat CPE systems and melt plastication is steadier, at higher cost. | 46 | 48 | 95 | 80 Shore D |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways PVC-M is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
POTABLE | Potable water certified | Certification |
UV | UV-stabilized | Grade option |
What is PVC-M?
PVC-M is a rigid PVC-U compound blended with impact modifiers — CPE, acrylic or MBS, sometimes with calcium carbonate filler — to raise fracture toughness for pressure pipe without the orientation step required by PVC-O. It is supplied mainly as extruded pressure and sewer pipe and moulded fittings, including UV-stabilised and potable-water compounds, with 47 MPa tensile strength and about 100 % elongation. Service temperature is limited as with all PVC-U, it cannot be fusion-welded to PE or PP, and outdoor durability relies on pigments and absorbers in the compound. PVC-O gives a higher pressure rating for the same wall; plain PVC-U is cheaper. PVC-M has a density of 1.4 g/cm³ (0.0506 lb/in³), heavier than 79% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 78°C (172 °F). PVC-M has a yield strength of 44 MPa (6.38 ksi) and a tensile strength of 47 MPa (6.82 ksi) — weaker than 60% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 100% and the elastic modulus is 2.7 GPa (0.392 Msi).
What is PVC-M used for?
- pressure pipe
- sewer/drainage pipe
- impact-critical fittings
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 4.5 MPa·√m (4.1 ksi·√in), better than 96% of polymer grades
- Low, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.3%, better than 90% of polymer grades
- Readily welded — 80/100, better than 86% of polymer grades
- Low embodied carbon — 2.8 kg CO₂/kg, better than 86% of polymer grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 90/100, better than 82% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 60°C (140 °F), worse than 87% of polymer grades
- Heavy — 1.4 g/cm³ (0.0506 lb/in³), worse than 79% of polymer grades
- Poor heat conductor — 0.16 W/m·K (0.0924 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 78% of polymer grades
PVC-M properties
Typical room-temperature values for PVC-M-CPE; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical5
PVC-M has a density of 1.4 g/cm³ (0.0506 lb/in³), heavier than 79% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 78°C (172 °F).
Mechanical17
PVC-M has a yield strength of 44 MPa (6.38 ksi) and a tensile strength of 47 MPa (6.82 ksi) — weaker than 60% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 100% and the elastic modulus is 2.7 GPa (0.392 Msi).
Thermal11
PVC-M is rated for continuous service to 60°C (140 °F). It conducts heat at 0.16 W/m·K (0.0924 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 78% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 75 µm/m·K (41.7 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PVC-M is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 25 kV/mm (635 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹³ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (90/100), better than 82% of polymer grades. UV resistance is good.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PVC-M takes about 68 MJ of energy and emits 2.8 kg of CO₂ — less than 94% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability7
PVC-M's machinability is very good (78/100, better than 81% of polymer grades); weldability very good (80/100); formability good (60/100).
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. PVC-M is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with PVC-M
Is PVC-M easy to machine?
Use sharp positive-rake tools with high spindle speed, light feed, free chip clearance and air cooling. Avoid local overheating: above 200 °C the compound releases HCl, which corrodes tooling and machine surfaces.
Can PVC-M be welded?
Solvent cementing (PVC cement with primer) or socket joints are the preferred methods; hot-gas and hot-plate welding are possible but have a narrow temperature window. It cannot be welded to PE or PP, and open-flame heating is prohibited.
Can PVC-M be formed, bent or molded?
Extrude or injection mould at 180–205 °C melt with a 30–55 °C tool; twin-screw lines need good plastication at low shear. Sheet hot-bends at 100–140 °C and pipe ends can be heated for belling or socket forming.
PVC-M 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 |
|---|---|---|
| impact modifier (CPE / ACR / MBS)impact modifier; sets toughness class | 4 – 12 | 7 |
| heat stabilizer (Ca/Zn or organotin)lead-free system for potable water pipe | 0.8 – 3 | 1.8 |
| lubricant / processing aidinternal/external lubricant plus ACR processing aid | 0.8 – 2.5 | 1.5 |
| TiO2opacifying and weathering-resistant pigment | 0.5 – 4 | 1.5 |
| CaCO3 fillerraises stiffness and cuts cost in economy formulations | 0 – 15 | 3 |
| PVC resin (K value 65–67, SG-5/SG-6)PVC matrix | ≥ 80 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on PVC-M?
Screen printing, UV printing and solvent-based or acrylic paints all work once mould release is removed. It cannot be electroplated or anodised; long-term outdoor performance depends on TiO₂ and UV absorbers in the compound rather than on coatings.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to PVC-M in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Similar grades
- 264
How much does PVC-M cost?
PVC-M 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.
PVC-M — frequently asked
What is PVC-M used for?
PVC-M is typically used for pressure pipe, sewer/drainage pipe and impact-critical fittings. In short: impact-modified pressure PVC; tougher than plain PVC-U; simpler to process than PVC-O.
What is the yield strength of PVC-M?
PVC-M has a typical yield strength of 44 MPa (6.38 ksi) and a tensile strength of 47 MPa (6.82 ksi) — weaker than 60% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is PVC-M easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (78/100, better than 81% of polymer grades). Use sharp positive-rake tools with high spindle speed, light feed, free chip clearance and air cooling. Avoid local overheating: above 200 °C the compound releases HCl, which corrodes tooling and machine surfaces.
Can PVC-M be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (80/100). Solvent cementing (PVC cement with primer) or socket joints are the preferred methods; hot-gas and hot-plate welding are possible but have a narrow temperature window. It cannot be welded to PE or PP, and open-flame heating is prohibited.
What surface finishes work on PVC-M?
Screen printing, UV printing and solvent-based or acrylic paints all work once mould release is removed. It cannot be electroplated or anodised; long-term outdoor performance depends on TiO₂ and UV absorbers in the compound rather than on coatings.
Can PVC-M be formed, bent or molded?
Extrude or injection mould at 180–205 °C melt with a 30–55 °C tool; twin-screw lines need good plastication at low shear. Sheet hot-bends at 100–140 °C and pipe ends can be heated for belling or socket forming.
What is the maximum service temperature of PVC-M?
PVC-M is rated for continuous use to about 60°C (140 °F), and briefly to 70°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between PVC-M CPE and PVC-M CACO3?
CPE is the default condition — pick the chlorinated-polyethylene impact-modified compound as the lowest-cost pressure and sewer pipe formulation; weathering is only moderate, so TiO₂ opacification is required. CACO3: pick 5–15% ultrafine or activated CaCO₃ filling to cut cost and raise stiffness to 3.1 GPa; impact toughness and long-term hydrostatic strength fall, so avoid high-pressure potable water pipe. Yield strength is 44 MPa in CPE versus 40 MPa in CACO3.
How much does PVC-M cost?
PVC-M 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
- AS/NZS 4765 Modified PVC (PVC-M) pipes for pressure applications — Standards Australia/NZ (2017)
- EN 12201 / EN ISO 1452 Plastics piping systems for water supply — PVC-U/PVC-M — CEN (2016)
- ISO 306 / ISO 527 / ISO 178 test methods for rigid PVC — ISO (2019)
- ASM Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
- CAMPUS plastics — rigid/impact-modified PVC datasheets — CWFG (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.