PVC-O
EN 17176 · ISO 16422
Rigid PVC-U that has been biaxially oriented during pipe manufacture, giving a layered fibrous microstructure with much higher impact strength, fatigue resistance and reduced wall thickness versus standard PVC-U.
Reference datasheet — PVC-O 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 PVC-O-450 condition
PVC-O grades and fills
PVC-O is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. PVC-O-450 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MRS 31.5 MPa (lightly oriented class) | Lowest ISO 16422 orientation class; used where only a modest wall reduction over PVC-U is needed (design stress 22.5 MPa). | 50 | 58 | 60 | 80 Shore D |
MRS 35.5 MPa | Intermediate class (design stress 25 MPa) for sewer pressure and low-head irrigation lines. | 52 | 63 | 70 | 80 Shore D |
MRS 40 MPa | Common class in earlier PVC-O production lines; design stress 28.5 MPa. | 55 | 70 | 80 | 81 Shore D |
PVC-O-450Default MRS 45 MPa oriented pipe (ISO 16422 class) | The mainstream commercial PVC-O class for potable water and irrigation mains; design stress 32 MPa with C=1.4. | 58 | 78 | 90 | 82 Shore D |
MRS 50 MPa (highest oriented class) | Highest ISO 16422 / EN 17176 class (design stress 36 MPa) — thinnest wall and best hydraulic capacity for high-pressure water mains. | 62 | 88 | 100 | 83 Shore D |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways PVC-O is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
IRRIG | Irrigation / sewer pressure grade | Certification |
POTABLE | Potable-water certified | Certification |
UV | UV-stabilised | Grade option |
What is PVC-O?
Rigid PVC-U that has been biaxially oriented during pipe manufacture, giving a layered fibrous microstructure with much higher impact strength, fatigue resistance and reduced wall thickness versus standard PVC-U. PVC-O has a density of 1.4 g/cm³ (0.0506 lb/in³), heavier than 79% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 80°C (176 °F). PVC-O has a yield strength of 58 MPa (8.41 ksi) and a tensile strength of 78 MPa (11.3 ksi) — stronger than 66% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 90% and the elastic modulus is 3.8 GPa (0.551 Msi).
What is PVC-O used for?
- pressure water pipe
- irrigation pipe
- gas distribution pipe
- trenchless pipe replacement
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 4.5 MPa·√m (4.1 ksi·√in), better than 96% of polymer grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 92/100, better than 91% of polymer grades
- Low embodied carbon — 2.5 kg CO₂/kg, better than 91% of polymer grades
- Low moisture uptake — 0.04%, better than 86% of polymer grades
- Stiff — 3.8 GPa (0.551 Msi), better than 85% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 45°C (113 °F), worse than 98% of polymer grades
- Heavy — 1.4 g/cm³ (0.0506 lb/in³), worse than 79% of polymer grades
- Limited formability — 15/100, 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-O properties
Typical room-temperature values for PVC-O-PVC-O-450; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical4
PVC-O has a density of 1.4 g/cm³ (0.0506 lb/in³), heavier than 79% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 80°C (176 °F).
Mechanical13
PVC-O has a yield strength of 58 MPa (8.41 ksi) and a tensile strength of 78 MPa (11.3 ksi) — stronger than 66% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 90% and the elastic modulus is 3.8 GPa (0.551 Msi).
Thermal11
PVC-O is rated for continuous service to 45°C (113 °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 70 µm/m·K (38.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical5
PVC-O 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 (92/100), better than 91% of polymer grades. UV resistance is good.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PVC-O takes about 65 MJ of energy and emits 2.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 95% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability5
PVC-O's machinability is very good (70/100, better than 74% of polymer grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability poor (15/100).
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-O is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with PVC-O
Is PVC-O easy to machine?
Cut square with a fine-tooth saw or pipe cutter and chamfer with a bevelling tool; avoid overheating or threading, since local heating or deep notching destroys the biaxial orientation.
Can PVC-O be welded?
Not fusion-weldable — heat relaxes the orientation; join with the integral bell-and-spigot elastomeric seal, or transition to PVC-U/ductile-iron fittings; solvent cement only where the pipe maker explicitly allows it.
Can PVC-O be formed, bent or molded?
Made only in-line: PVC-U pipe is extruded then biaxially oriented (expanded) at roughly 90–115 °C in a die or on a mandrel; it cannot be re-heated, hot-bent, or re-moulded downstream.
PVC-O 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 |
|---|---|---|
| heat stabiliser (Ca/Zn or organotin)potable grades typically Ca/Zn | 1 – 4 | 2 |
| lubricants / processing aids (acrylic) | 0.5 – 3 | 1.5 |
| calcium carbonate fillerkept low to preserve orientability | 0 – 5 | 2 |
| titanium dioxide / pigmentblue for potable water | 0.5 – 3 | 1.5 |
| impact modifierusually unnecessary — toughness comes from orientation | 0 – 2 | 0 |
| PVC resin (vinyl chloride homopolymer, Ksuspension PVC, no plasticiser | ≥ 88 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on PVC-O?
Surface is as-extruded and pigment-coloured; no painting or plating is used, marking is by hot foil/ink jet, and any deep scoring of the wall must be avoided.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to PVC-O in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 17176
- ISO
- 16422
How much does PVC-O cost?
PVC-O is a standard-cost polymer ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
PVC-O — frequently asked
What is PVC-O used for?
PVC-O is typically used for pressure water pipe, irrigation pipe, gas distribution pipe and trenchless pipe replacement. In short: strongest PVC pressure pipe; thinner wall than PVC-U; cannot be fusion welded.
What is the yield strength of PVC-O?
PVC-O has a typical yield strength of 58 MPa (8.41 ksi) and a tensile strength of 78 MPa (11.3 ksi) — stronger than 66% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is PVC-O easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (70/100, better than 74% of polymer grades). Cut square with a fine-tooth saw or pipe cutter and chamfer with a bevelling tool; avoid overheating or threading, since local heating or deep notching destroys the biaxial orientation.
Can PVC-O be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Not fusion-weldable — heat relaxes the orientation; join with the integral bell-and-spigot elastomeric seal, or transition to PVC-U/ductile-iron fittings; solvent cement only where the pipe maker explicitly allows it.
What surface finishes work on PVC-O?
Surface is as-extruded and pigment-coloured; no painting or plating is used, marking is by hot foil/ink jet, and any deep scoring of the wall must be avoided.
Can PVC-O be formed, bent or molded?
Made only in-line: PVC-U pipe is extruded then biaxially oriented (expanded) at roughly 90–115 °C in a die or on a mandrel; it cannot be re-heated, hot-bent, or re-moulded downstream.
What is the maximum service temperature of PVC-O?
PVC-O is rated for continuous use to about 45°C (113 °F), and briefly to 60°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does PVC-O cost?
PVC-O is a standard-cost polymer ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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
- ISO 16422 — Pipes and joints made of oriented unplasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC-O) for the conveyance of water under pressure — ISO (2014)
- EN 17176 (Parts 1–5) — Plastics piping systems for water supply and pressure sewerage, oriented PVC (PVC-O) — CEN (2019)
- AWWA C909 — Molecularly Oriented Polyvinyl Chloride (PVCO) Pressure Pipe — AWWA (2016)
- GB/T 18742 / GB/T 17219 (water-contact hygiene requirements for plastic pipes) — SAC (2017)
- TOM PVC-O pipe technical documentation (classes 400/450/500) — Molecor (2023)
- Bionax molecularly oriented PVC pressure pipe data — IPEX (2022)
- PVC Handbook (Wilkes, Summers, Daniels) — rigid PVC physical property data — Hanser (2005)
- PVC PVC (2026)
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.