5 Quick Tests to check PVC Quality

PVC is a material that has been used for many years to make pipes, fittings, and other plastic products. It is also one of the most widely available polymers across numerous technical and everyday applications including extensive use in packaging, building, transportation, electric/electronic, and healthcare applications. Based on its specific design requirements and polymer price, PVC can be made into various grades of quality depending on how much heat resistance it has. If it can withstand high temperatures without cracking, a polymer supplier may publicize the compound for specific use cases.

This article will explain how to check the quality of PVC in five different aspects so you know what type of product to buy based on your needs.

1. Color Tone

The color tone is a measure of color strength. It’s affected by the amount of pigment used, but also by how well it disperses throughout the material. A glossy and oily top surface as a rule of thumb hints at good quality. While a spectrophotometer may additionally be used to measure color tone, ensuring you get fresh inventory by selecting a reputed polymer supplier is your go-to for avoiding old or weathered products.

Undyed PVC is light beige in color. A pale color indicates the over-addition of calcium. On the other hand, darker or black and yellow shades generally mean the polymer supplier is adding recycled and miscellaneous materials during manufacturing.

2. Strength

The stretch strength of PVC is measured in N/mm2. This is a measure of the elasticity of a material and it’s dependent on its molecular weight, which can vary from one type of raw material to another. The higher the number, the better quality you’ll have if you’re looking for something that will withstand high stress without breaking or tearing when stretched out too far. This directly translates to a higher polymer price.

An easy test is crushing the side of a pipe with your foot. Broken or shattered pipes indicate high calcium content which may save a polymer supplier on costs. Such pipes might be cheaper, but their hardness is much lower leading to cracks over time. A good quality product will flatten, rather than break even when run over by a vehicle.

3. Heat Stability

Heat stability is an important factor for the use of PVC in different industries. The polymer’s heat stability can be tested using a heat gun or an infrared thermometer, and this information can be used to determine if your product will have sufficient durability throughout its lifespan. A low polymer price may seem enticing at first, but should be used only after considering the product’s intended use over its lifespan.

High-temperature PVC provides a strong, leak-resistant moisture barrier. It also has strong shock absorption properties with chemical, flame, and UV resistance. High-temperature PVC performs well under load, ultimately requiring the use of less material for the higher polymer price.

4. Dimensions & Density

Density is a measure of how much material there is per unit volume. The density of PVC should be between 1.24 and 1.26, depending on what type you’re measuring and how thick it is. Based on the intended use, a higher polymer price may be justified by the greater weight of the pellets/ products.

If you want to measure the density of your PVC before putting it to use, a hydrometer or refractometer can be used to measure how light or heavy the sample is.

Sample density should ideally not be less than 0.85g/cm3 at 25°C (77°F). A higher density will result in increased costs for manufacturing. The density of PVC can also be determined using a pycnometer.

5. Other Scientific Parameters

Color tone, stretch strength, transparency, and heat stability among others are some of the various aspects which can be checked initially and at a quick glance. Additional reports can be obtained to accurately ascertain the quality of PVC across its different aspects. Some of the key parameters are:

• Hydraulic test in a 20°C environment, the ring stress is 36MPa/38Mpa, no crack after 1 hour, no leakage.
• Longitudinal retraction rate ≤5%
• Vicat softening temperature ≥ 80°C
• Drop weight impact test (0 ° C) TIR ≤ 5c / o

PVC is one of the most used materials in the polymer industry and it is widely used in different industries. The quality of PVC can be measured by many test methods, which are listed above. We hope that this article has given you an idea about the importance of testing your material before using it for your customers.

Reach out to OfBusiness for a quick guidance session in choosing the right polymer, at the lowest polymer prices, from the comfort of your home!