PVC-M ACR (ACR/AIM)
Additive grade
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.
Values for the ACR condition
Other PVC-M grades and fills
PVC-M is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at PVC-M.
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 |
ACRThis page 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 |
What is PVC-M ACR?
PVC-M ACR is PVC-M in the ACR grade — 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. PVC-M ACR has a yield strength of 46 MPa (6.67 ksi) and a tensile strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) — weaker than 55% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 95% and the elastic modulus is 2.9 GPa (0.413 Msi). PVC-M ACR 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). CPE is the default condition FabDigit quotes; ACR is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 4.2 MPa·√m (3.82 ksi·√in), better than 95% of polymer grades
- Low, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.3%, better than 90% of polymer grades
- Readily welded — 82/100, better than 88% of polymer grades
- Low embodied carbon — 2.8 kg CO₂/kg, better than 86% of polymer grades
- Good UV / weathering resistance — 75/100, better than 85% 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 ACR properties
Typical room-temperature values for PVC-M ACR; 26 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PVC-M reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical5
PVC-M ACR 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 ACR has a yield strength of 46 MPa (6.67 ksi) and a tensile strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) — weaker than 55% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 95% and the elastic modulus is 2.9 GPa (0.413 Msi).
Thermal11
PVC-M ACR 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 ACR 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 very good.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PVC-M ACR 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 ACR's machinability is very good (78/100, better than 81% of polymer grades); weldability very good (82/100); formability good (58/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PVC-M ACR
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.
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.
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) | — |
PVC-M ACR — frequently asked
What is PVC-M ACR used for?
PVC-M ACR 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 ACR?
PVC-M ACR has a typical yield strength of 46 MPa (6.67 ksi) and a tensile strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) — weaker than 55% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is PVC-M ACR 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 ACR be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (82/100). 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 ACR?
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 ACR 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 ACR?
PVC-M ACR 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.