Commodity Thermoplastic

PVC

CNC Machined PVC Parts — Cost-Effective Plastic Machining for Industrial Applications
PVC

At a glance

Processes

CNC Mill
CNC Lathe

Lead Time

As fast as 5 days

Finishing Options

Available as-machined

Tolerance

With drawing: as low as +/- 0.005 mm
No drawing: ISO 2768 medium

About the Material

Chemical-Resistant PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) is a great choice for designs requiring electrical insulation. Chemical-Resistant PVC also offers terrific resistance to alkalies and acids, which makes it the ideal choice for applications related to chemical-processing and tank/valve components.

Versatility

Extreme Toughness Icon

Endurance

Extreme Toughness Icon

Material Properties

Chemical-Resistant PVC

Yield Strength (tensile)

7,000 PSI

Elongation at Break

—

Hardness

Rockwell R110-R120

Density

1.38 g/cm^3
0.05lb / in^3

Material Finish

PVC has an opaque, gray finish when machined. It has a smooth, matte appearance post machining and can be machined to a variety of surface roughnesses.

Design Recommendations

Min Wall Thickness

0.5 mm (0.02 in)

Min End Mill Size

0.8 mm (0.03 in)

Min Drill Size

0.5 mm (0.02 in)

Max Part Size

1200 x 500 x 152 mm [x,y,z] (mill) 152 x 394 mm [d,h] (lathe)

Undercuts

Square profile, full radius, dovetail profiles

Radii : Depth

Depth must not exceed 12x drill bit diameter. For end mills, depth must not exceed 10x tool diameter.
Cost Saving Tip

Cost Saving Tip

To reduce costs, limit the number of part setups, the number of inspection dimensions or tight tolerances, and deep pockets with small radii.

You Might also be Interested in

Cylindrical OD jig grinding finishing of a metal machined part

Precision Grinding: Processes, Tolerances, and When To Use It

Most engineers have a solid feel for what CNC machining can do. But far fewer have a clear picture of…

Learn more >
Machining of a titanium medical implant component

CNC Machining for Medical Devices: Materials, Tolerances, and Design Considerations

CNC machining is commonly used to manufacture various medical devices—surgical instruments, fixtures, structural elements, fluid-handling parts, and components that attach…

Learn more >