PVC-O-315
Grade
EN 17176 · ISO 16422
Lowest ISO 16422 orientation class; used where only a modest wall reduction over PVC-U is needed (design stress 22.5 MPa).
Values for the PVC-O-315 condition
Other PVC-O grades and fills
PVC-O is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at PVC-O.
Compare all 5 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PVC-O-315This page 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 |
What is PVC-O-315?
PVC-O-315 is PVC-O in the PVC-O-315 grade — lowest ISO 16422 orientation class; used where only a modest wall reduction over PVC-U is needed (design stress 22.5 MPa). PVC-O-315 has a yield strength of 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) and a tensile strength of 58 MPa (8.41 ksi) — stronger than 52% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 60% and the elastic modulus is 3.3 GPa (0.479 Msi). PVC-O-315 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-450 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; PVC-O-315 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- 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 — 3.3 GPa (0.479 Msi), better than 80% of polymer grades
- Good UV / weathering resistance — 55/100, better than 77% 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
- Poor heat conductor — 0.16 W/m·K (0.0924 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 78% of polymer grades
- Limited formability — 18/100, worse than 76% of polymer grades
PVC-O-315 properties
Typical room-temperature values for PVC-O-315; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PVC-O reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical4
PVC-O-315 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-315 has a yield strength of 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) and a tensile strength of 58 MPa (8.41 ksi) — stronger than 52% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 60% and the elastic modulus is 3.3 GPa (0.479 Msi).
Thermal11
PVC-O-315 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-315 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-315 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-315's machinability is very good (72/100, better than 76% of polymer grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability poor (18/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PVC-O-315
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.
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.
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) | — |
PVC-O-315 — frequently asked
What is PVC-O-315 used for?
PVC-O-315 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-315?
PVC-O-315 has a typical yield strength of 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) and a tensile strength of 58 MPa (8.41 ksi) — stronger than 52% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is PVC-O-315 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (72/100, better than 76% 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-315 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). 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-315?
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-315 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-315?
PVC-O-315 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.