PVC Profile

CF Plastic profile offers a wide range of PVC-profiles. PVC is one of the first and most versatile plastics that is still in high demand. The reason PVC is still popular stems from its ability to be modified for a specific use. PVC allows for straight and rugged applications like, in window sills. Yet, PVC also allows use for elastic products like seals. The adaptability of PVC makes that new applications are still being found today.

Hard poly-vinyl-chloride (H PVC profiles)

Qualities and classes PVC profiles

Hard PVC can be obtained in the following qualities:

Standard impact resistant
Improved impact resistant
High impact resistant
Transparent
Glass-filled 12%

Hard impact-resistant PVC profiles feature high ductility and scratch resistance. These qualities make it extremely suited for applications in construction. Special additives can make PVC retain its qualities even in low temperatures.

Applications

Hard PVC profiles are abundantly used in:

Construction
Greenhouse construction
Shop interiors
Cable duct systems
Ventilation systems

Features shortlist

Maximum temperature tolerance approximately 70â° C (158â° F)
Good to excellent impact resistance
Self-extinguishing
Good weatherproof features
Fairly high E-module
Easy to extrude

Physical features hard PVC profiles

Hard-PVC does not contain volatile constituents or oxidants. PVC is resistant to the most commonly used chemicals. The maximum temperature in which PVC can be used is around 70â° C (158â° F). in general, Hard PVC profiles may only be used under no-load circumstances. When installed under too high pressure or tensile load, PVC will eventually display crawl-signs or permanent deformation. PVC contains plenty of residual stress to assure lasting elasticity.

Colors

Hard-PVC is colored through and through, making painting or lacquering unnecessary. PVC can be painted over in case a different color is required later on. By adding the proper stabilizers and pigments, the Hard PVC profiles are colorfast and weatherproof. The years of experience with PVC window and door sills provide ample proof of this. Especially the light colors are very suitable for outdoor use. Due to the reflection of the sunlight, the PVC profiles attract less heat keeping the thermic expansion to a minimum.

Fire safety

Hard PVC belongs to the group of flame-resistant plastics, according to DIN 4102/B1 and B2. PVC owns this feature to its chemical structure. As this feature is the property of the material and not induced by additives, the flame-resistant property is a lasting one.

Transparent

Transparent Hard-PVC is formed by a different structure than solid colored PVC. The maximum temperature for the use of transparent PVC rests at approximately 65â° C (149â° F). Transparent PVC is, in general, more elastic than the colored version. To prevent discoloration of transparent PVC, we advise the use of a UV-stabilizer.

Glass-filled 12%

Hard-PVC glass filled 12% is a compound material that, due to the addition of glass, obtains a more rigid structure while thermal expansion decreases compared to standard Hard PVC compounds. Profiles made from this compound are, on average, twice as rigid, while its thermal expansion is twice as low.

Lacquer

PVC retains high outdoor durability while it can be produced in a vast array of colors. However, like any other product, over time, the color of the PVC profile will deteriorate as the upper layer wears out into a chalk-layer. When this happens, the PVC profile can easily be painted over with conventional paint. Instead of re-painting, the PVC can also be treated with, for instance, a car wax. A car wax treatment should be repeated on a yearly or two-yearly interval.

Welding

PVC profiles are well suited to be welded. In general, welding can be performed with hot air, a heating unit, friction, or high-frequency pulsations. Whichever welding method is chosen, be alert not to overheat the PVC to avoid carbonization of the material, which deteriorates the quality.

Welding options:

Hot air
Mirror (reflective) welding
Ultrasonic welding

Chemical resistance

Hard PVC is resistant to saline solutions, diluted (and some concentrated) acids, and alkalis, a-polar solvents, gasoline, mineral oils, grease, and alcohol. Yet, it is not resistant to polar solvents like esters, chlorinated hydrocarbons, ketones, aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene, oleum with Sulphur acid, and concentrated nitric acid. (see graph).

Bonding with other materials

Hard PVC is well suited to bond with other thermoplastics. In this respect, consider co-, tri-, and quad extrusion. Besides the bonding with other hard PVC, like with a different color setting, Hard PVC can also be bonded with the soft PVC variant, thermoplastic rubber (TPR), Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) and PMMA. It is also possible to fuse Hard PVC with ABS and ASA; this, however, depends on the specific formula of the Hard PVC.

Soft poly-vinyl-chloride (S-PVC) profiles

Soft PVC is produced when during the mixing process, plasticizers are added to the mix. These plasticizers differentiate in volatility as well as softening properties. Another option is to add extenders or secondary plasticizers to produce soft PVC. CF Plastic Profiles mainly utilizes high-grade plasticizers with low volatility and good cold-resistant capacities. In individual cases, like for use in oil and gasoline resistant profiles, polymer plasticizers are added. Soft PVC compounds can, however, also be produced without adding plasticizers.

Applications for Soft PVC profiles

Soft PVC profiles are often found in:

Boating industry
Construction
Medical environments
Horticulture and irrigation
Floor finishing products

Characteristics in short

Maximum ambient temperature approximately 55⁰ C (131⁰ F)
Good to excellent tensile strength
Self-extinguishing capacity
Good weather-resistant properties
Fair to good cold flexibility
Easy to co-extrude

Material qualities soft PVC profiles

The type of plasticizer and the amount added determines, in general, the quality of the soft PVC. It is impossible to designate soft PVC generically. We would like to inform you more in-depth regarding the various types of soft PVC. Depending on the amount of plasticizer, Soft PVC products can be applied in environments with temperatures ranging from 50 - 70⁰ C (122 - 158⁰ F). When temperatures rise above this limit, the Soft PVC may shrink permanently by approximately 2%.

Soft PVC Transparent Profiles

Soft PVC is colored through and through. By adding the appropriate stabilizers and right pigments, soft PVC becomes colorfast and weatherproof. Soft PVC profiles can be used outdoors problem-free for many years.

Transparency

Soft PVC can also be found in a transparent variety.

Fire safety Soft PVC profiles

Soft PVC burns slowly and self-extinguishes. Depending on the used plasticizers and their amount, the level of self-extinguishing can be configured.

Painting and lacquering Soft PVC profiles

Soft PVC features good outdoor-resistance; like Hard PVC, the material can be manufactured with an abundance of colors. Also, like Hard PVC, the Soft variant will form a chalk layer after years of outdoor service. Soft PVC can be painted over; however, the paint may cause the PVC to harden undesirably. Another issue, hair cracks may occur in the paint over time. Lacquer and paint may also react with certain plasticizers from the PVC compound, leading to poor adhesion of the paint.

Welding of Soft PVC

Like Hard PVC, Soft PVC can be readily welded.

Chemical resistance Soft PVC Profiles

By adding plasticizers to Soft PVC, the compound’s chemical stability is determined by the applied plasticizer. In general, Soft PVC features lower stability than Hard PVC compounds.

Bonding with other materials

Like Hard PVC, Soft PVC easily bonds with other thermoplastics, like co-, tri-, and quad extrusions. Next to bonding the compound to naturally Soft PVC, like the same material with, e.g., a different color, Soft PVC also binds well with Hard PVC and thermoplastic rubber (TPR).