Difference between revisions of "PVC vs. ABS"
Pilgrimman (talk | contribs) (Basic information about ABS and PVC, edits are needed, please add a section about advantages/disadvantages with regard to the launcher being built.) |
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==Introduction== | ==Introduction== | ||
| − | Although many materials are available for launcher construction | + | Although many materials are available for launcher construction the most commonly used are PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), and ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene). Both materials have many advantages and disadvantages, as outlined below. |
==Physical Characteristics== | ==Physical Characteristics== | ||
| − | |||
| + | === PVC === | ||
* Density: 1380 kg/m^3 | * Density: 1380 kg/m^3 | ||
* Melting Point: 212 Degrees Celsius | * Melting Point: 212 Degrees Celsius | ||
| Line 13: | Line 13: | ||
* Other characteristics: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyvinyl_chloride Wikipedia] | * Other characteristics: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyvinyl_chloride Wikipedia] | ||
| − | |||
| + | === ABS === | ||
* Density: 1024 kg/m^3 | * Density: 1024 kg/m^3 | ||
* Melting Point: 105 Degrees Celsius | * Melting Point: 105 Degrees Celsius | ||
| Line 23: | Line 23: | ||
==Chemical Characteristics== | ==Chemical Characteristics== | ||
| − | |||
| + | === PVC === | ||
* Less resistant to shock than ABS | * Less resistant to shock than ABS | ||
| − | |||
| + | === ABS === | ||
* Resistant to loads and shock | * Resistant to loads and shock | ||
* Resists aqueous acids, alkalis, alcohols, and oils | * Resists aqueous acids, alkalis, alcohols, and oils | ||
| Line 36: | Line 36: | ||
==Failure Characteristics== | ==Failure Characteristics== | ||
| − | |||
| + | === PVC === | ||
* Shatters upon failure. For this reason, it is illegal in most areas to use PVC in compressed air applications. | * Shatters upon failure. For this reason, it is illegal in most areas to use PVC in compressed air applications. | ||
| − | |||
| − | * Rips upon failure, although it can shatter in the form of cellular core ABS. ABS is legal for compressed air applications, as long as it is pressure-rated. | + | === ABS === |
| + | * Rips upon failure, although it can shatter in the form of [[cell-core|cellular core]] ABS. ABS is legal for compressed air applications, as long as it is pressure-rated. | ||
==Availability, Price, and Other Information== | ==Availability, Price, and Other Information== | ||
| − | + | ||
| + | === PVC === | ||
* Typically cheaper than ABS | * Typically cheaper than ABS | ||
| − | * Pressure-rated, usually well beyond what a launcher would require, except in the case of Hybrid | + | * Pressure-rated, usually well beyond what a launcher would require, except in the case of [[Hybrid launcher]]s. |
* More common than ABS | * More common than ABS | ||
| − | * Fused by solvent welding, which requires two parts: Primer (a mixture of solvents), and Cement (Solvents with PVC resin). | + | * Fused (glued) by [[solvent welding]], which requires two parts: [[Primer]] (a mixture of solvents), and [[PVC Glue|Cement]] (Solvents with PVC resin). |
* Easier to acquire in different diameters | * Easier to acquire in different diameters | ||
| − | |||
| + | === ABS === | ||
* More expensive than PVC | * More expensive than PVC | ||
* Not pressure-rated (Pressure-rated ABS does exist, but it is much less available, and much more expensive). | * Not pressure-rated (Pressure-rated ABS does exist, but it is much less available, and much more expensive). | ||
| Line 61: | Line 62: | ||
* Fused by only one chemical, ABS cement | * Fused by only one chemical, ABS cement | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Solvent Welding=== | ||
It should be noted that ABS cement will NOT work on PVC, or vise-versa. | It should be noted that ABS cement will NOT work on PVC, or vise-versa. | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Category:Construction materials]] | ||
Latest revision as of 16:16, 1 June 2008
Contents
Introduction
Although many materials are available for launcher construction the most commonly used are PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), and ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene). Both materials have many advantages and disadvantages, as outlined below.
Physical Characteristics
PVC
- Density: 1380 kg/m^3
- Melting Point: 212 Degrees Celsius
- Becomes brittle when cold
- Natural Color: White
- Other characteristics: Wikipedia
ABS
- Density: 1024 kg/m^3
- Melting Point: 105 Degrees Celsius
- Resistant to changes due to temperature
- Natural Color: Black
- Other Characteristics: Wikipedia
Chemical Characteristics
PVC
- Less resistant to shock than ABS
ABS
- Resistant to loads and shock
- Resists aqueous acids, alkalis, alcohols, and oils
- Swells when mixed with glacial acetic acid, carbon tetrachloride and aromatic hydrocarbons
- Soluble in esters and ketones
Failure Characteristics
PVC
- Shatters upon failure. For this reason, it is illegal in most areas to use PVC in compressed air applications.
ABS
- Rips upon failure, although it can shatter in the form of cellular core ABS. ABS is legal for compressed air applications, as long as it is pressure-rated.
Availability, Price, and Other Information
PVC
- Typically cheaper than ABS
- Pressure-rated, usually well beyond what a launcher would require, except in the case of Hybrid launchers.
- More common than ABS
- Fused (glued) by solvent welding, which requires two parts: Primer (a mixture of solvents), and Cement (Solvents with PVC resin).
- Easier to acquire in different diameters
ABS
- More expensive than PVC
- Not pressure-rated (Pressure-rated ABS does exist, but it is much less available, and much more expensive).
- Less common than PVC, especially pressure-rated
- Fused by only one chemical, ABS cement
Solvent Welding
It should be noted that ABS cement will NOT work on PVC, or vise-versa.
