Determining the impact of accelerated hydrothermal aging on the mechanical properties of polyvinyl chloride and chlorinated polyvinyl chloride

Abstract

In this work, chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes underwent accelerated hydrothermal aging at various temperatures to simulate long-term environmental exposure. The research aimed to investigate how these conditions affect the degradation of CPVC and PVC materials over time. Through meticulous observation and rigorous tensile testing, the study evaluated the decline in mechanical properties such as tensile strength and flexibility. The data obtained from these experiments were pivotal in formulating a novel static damage law specifically tailored for CPVC and PVC. This analytical framework was crucial for quantifying the extent of material degradation and predicting their fractional lifetimes under accelerated aging conditions. The findings underscored a significant deterioration in the mechanical integrity of both CPVC and PVC, highlighting the effectiveness of static damage calculations in assessing polymer durability. This research contributes valuable insights into understanding the long-term performance and reliability of CPVC and PVC materials under adverse environmental conditions.