Reference Guide
Thermoplastics and Elastomers
ABS
- (ABS) Acrylonitrile – Butadience – Styrene – Class 4-2-2 conforming to ASTM D-1788. Temperature range from -40° F to 180° F. Excellent resistance to deposit formation. Superior resistance to sewage and common chemical formulations. Good impact resistance (many automotive parts, bumpers and panels). ABS can be joined by cementing, threading and flanging.
PVC
- Polyvinyl Chloride – Class 12454-B Type 1, Grade 1 to ASTM 1784. Temperature range from -30° F to 140° F. PVC is the most common and most widely used thermoplastic material. It resists most acids, strong Alkalis, salts and paraffinic hydrocarbon solutions. Excellent for industrial chemical and plating systems, deionized water, irrigation and drainage systems. PVC is not recommended for use with chlorinated or aromatic hydrocarbons, esters or polar solvents such as ketones. The material can be joined by cementing, threading or flanging.
CPVC
- Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride – Class 23447-B Type IV Grade 1 to ASTM D-1784. The physical properties at 73 degrees F are very similar to PVC. CPVC has a slightly better chemical resistance and has a higher temperature range to 210° F. It is not recommended for use with chlorinated or aromatic hydrocarbons, esters or polar solvents such as ketones. The material can be joined by cementing, threading or flanging.
PP
- Polypropylene – Type 1 to ASTM D-4101 class PP10-B67154. Temperature range from – 30° F to maximum 180° F but at this temperature we recommend it’s use only with water or drainage. PP is the lightest of all plastics. Resistant to organic solvents, acids and alkalis. It is not recommended for oxidizing acids, chlorinated hydrocarbons or aromatics. Mostly used for sulfur-bearing materials, saltwater solutions, crude oil and low pressure gas systems. PP can be joined by thermo-seal fusion, threading or flanging.
PVDF
- Polyvinylident Fluoride – ASTM D-3222 having a temperature range of -80° F to 280° F. The strongest, heaviest and most abrasion resistant of the thermoplastic materials. PVDF is resistant to most acids, bases and organic solvents and is the only thermoplastic resistant to wet or dry chlorine, bromine and other halogens. PVDF can be joined by thermo-seal fusion, threading or flanging.
EPDM
- A terpolymer elastomer made from ethylene-propylene diene monomer. Recommended for water, chlorinated water, dilute acids, alkalines, alcohols and ozone. Not recommended for petroleum oils, strong acids and alkalines. EPDM has a temperature range from -20° F to 230° F.
VITON
- Fluorocarbon Elastomer – Recommended for hydrocarbon service, mineral acids, salt solutions, chlorinated hydrocarbons and petroleum oils. Viton has the broadest temperature range of the elastomers from -20° F to 300° F but should not be used in steam service.
NITRILE
- (BUNA-N) – A copolymer of butadiene and acrylonitrile. Has good resistance to solvents, petroleum oils and fluids, di-ester lubricants, ethylene glycol based fluids, aliphatic hydrocarbons and aromatic solvents. It should not be used with acetone and methyl ethyl ketone, chlorinated hydrocarbons, ozone or nitro hydrocarbons. Temperature range from -20° F to 180° F.
HYPALON®
- A chlorosulfonated polyethylene elastomer has good resistance against nitric, hydrofluoric and sulfuric acids, aliphatic hydrocarbons and aromatic solvents. It is not recommended for exposure to concentrations oxidizing acids, esters, ketones, chlorinated, aromatic and nitro hydrocarbons. Temperature range from -20° to 200° F.
NEOPRENE
- A chlorinated synthetic rubber elastomer. It is flame resistant and resists animal and vegetable oils. Recommended for food and beverage service. Normally not effected by moderate chemicals, fats, greases and many oils and solvents. Neoprene is not recommended for strong oxidizing acids, esters, ketones, hydraulic fluids, chlorinated solvents and aromatic hydrocarbons. Temperature range from -20° F to 160° F.
TEFLON®
- Polytetrafluoroethylene – A self-lubricating compound. Resistant to almost all chemicals and solvents and has a very high thermal-stability, also nonflammable. Temperature range of -20° F to 400° F.
VITON®, HYPALON & TEFLON® are registered trademarks of DuPont Performance Elastomers.
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Thermoplastics and Elastomers
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