SpudFiles

Ok so heres the deal... I always heat pvc using boiling water, but now I'm doing it in the oven because it is easier to work with. So I want to know if either of these methods releases toxins because people always tell me it does but I tell them heating it to soften it doesn't, only burning it does.

Ive heated pvc in the oven and smelled nothing, I think it was around 250-300 degrees farenheit, so as long as it not to hot and you pay close attention, its fine. Now heating with a lighter and burning the pvc is not a good idea.

I wouldn't worry about toxic releases as long as you are well away from the burning point. 250F really shouldn't be a significant problem.

I'm no expert on the subject, but if the temperature isn't too high, the worst that I can see happening is producing some HCl. So just don't inhale deeply when you open the oven door and you'll be just fine.

I always did mine outdoors with either a torch or over a campstove. Never noticed any fumes except when it overheated and started to decompose. If it turns color, it's breaking down.

I learned to heat it until it just softens, then stop heating. Heat slowly so you don't burn the surface.

No color change is good.

Thanks guys, I don't burn it, just soften it. I was having an argument with people about it and I won...

I use a heat gun. It heats the pvc slow enough that you don't have to worry too much about burning it.