Temperature effect on the tensile properties of unplasticized polyvinyl chloride

Abstract

The present paper investigates the effect of temperature of unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (UPVC) under tension. UPVC specimens were tensile tested across a range of temperatures (from −20°C to 60°C). The UPVC, like other polymers, was strongly affected by temperature. Those below room temperature were more fragile but had greater tensile strength and stiffness. When room temperature is exceeded, the UPVC test specimens became softer, with lower strength and stiffness. Considering the results, an analytical expression to predict the mechanical behavior of UPVC in tensile tests at different temperatures—more specifically a description of the experimental tensile stress–strain curves by an algebraic equation is proposed. A reasonable approximation of the stress–strain curve was possible to obtain with a minimum of three tests performed at different temperatures. The analytical results were in good agreement with experimental ones.