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CNC Machining Material

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)

Inherently flame-retardant and corrosion-resistant — economical and durable

Quick Stats

Machinability
Excellent
Tolerance
±0.01 mm
Lead Time
5-7 days
Min Wall
0.5 mm
Company
Strength
20 Years of Experience
20 Years of Experience
72 Sets of CNC Machines
72 Sets of CNC Machines
Precision: ±0.01mm
Precision: ±0.01mm
7-15 Days Fast Shipping
7-15 Days Fast Shipping
Quality
Advantages
No Knife Marks
No Knife Marks
No Scratches
No Scratches
No Blemishes
No Blemishes
No Color Difference
No Color Difference

Material Overview

PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is one of the highest-volume general-purpose plastics globally. Rigid PVC (UPVC) contains no plasticizers, offering high rigidity, natural flame retardancy (UL94 V-0), and resistance to most acids, alkalis, salts and oxidants.

PVC machines well, achieving smooth surfaces; transparent PVC can approach acrylic transparency after polishing. It has high notch sensitivity, requiring avoidance of sharp corners and stress concentration during processing.

PVC can be bonded with specialty adhesives or hot-air welded, facilitating fabrication of large chemical tanks, piping systems and clean equipment. We specialize in batch production, 100 pcs MOQ, lead time 15-25 days.

Key Advantages

  • Naturally flame retardant UL94 V-0, self-extinguishing
  • Resistant to most acids, alkalis, salts and oxidants
  • High rigidity, stable dimensions
  • Low raw material cost, suitable for mass production
  • Bondable and hot-air weldable
  • Transparent grades available, high transmission after polishing

Material Properties

The following table lists typical mechanical, thermal, and physical properties for this material. Actual values may vary by grade and temper.

Property Value Unit

Available Grades & Alloys

We stock multiple grades for different application needs. Each grade offers distinct properties optimised for specific uses — click to view detailed specifications, machining advice and typical applications.

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) · Related Products

A selection of parts machined from this material.

Common Applications

This material is widely used across multiple industries for various applications, from precision prototypes to end-use production parts.

Medical

Surgical instruments, housings

Aerospace

Structural brackets, panels

Automotive

Engine components, housings

Electronics

Heat sinks, enclosures

Robotics

Motor mounts, brackets

Industrial

Fixtures, jigs, tooling

Consumer

Frames, handles, cases

Marine

Fittings, valves, hardware

CNC Machining Tips

Available Surface Finishes

Finish Type Description Ra (typical)

Compatible Surface Treatments

Common Applications

Material FAQ

The questions engineers ask most about machining, surface quality and selecting this material.

Related to PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)

Which Is More Transparent: Clear PVC or Acrylic?+
Acrylic is more transparent, reaching up to 92% light transmission; when polished, it resembles optical glass and resists yellowing outdoors. Clear PVC looks similar after polishing but is less expensive and inherently flame-retardant (UL94 V-0), making it suitable for machine windows or protective shields that do not require the highest optical clarity.

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Why Does PVC Machining Emit a Pungent Odor?+
PVC has poor thermal stability and decomposes to release hydrogen chloride when the cutting zone exceeds 150°C. The solution is to remove heat rather than force the cut: use sharp tooling, moderate spindle speeds, adequate air cooling or minimal oil mist lubrication, and ensure timely chip evacuation to prevent repeated friction from chip buildup. Our stations are equipped with independent exhaust systems, and parts are cleaned and packaged after machining.

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Can CNC Machining of Acrylic (PMMA) Achieve a Mirror Finish?+
Yes. Acrylic is one of the few plastics that can achieve a mirror finish directly through cutting. We use single-crystal diamond tools for precision machining, followed by flame polishing or diamond grinding. Surface roughness is consistently controlled within Ra0.4μm, delivering a high-gloss appearance free of scratches or defects, resembling a mirror. No secondary coating is required. For batch production, identical parameters are used to ensure consistent mirror finish quality.

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What is the MOQ for Plastic Parts?+
We focus on volume production with a standard MOQ of 100 units. Unit pricing for plastic parts is highly volume-sensitive—raw materials are purchased in full sheets or bars, so material waste and setup time cannot be amortized below 100 units. Prices drop significantly above 100 units, with a standard lead time of 15-25 days for batch orders.

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Can Plastic and Aluminum Parts Maintain Consistent Aesthetic Quality?+
The criteria for judgment are consistent: high gloss, high-shine surface, no scratches, and no defects. The difference lies in the process—aluminum parts rely on anodizing and polishing, while plastic parts use diamond cutting and flame polishing or mechanical polishing. When aluminum and plastic parts are mixed in the same batch, we standardize color swatches and gloss samples to avoid visual discrepancies between the two materials on the same product.

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How do you control surface appearance for plastic parts with scratches or flow marks?+
Appearance quality is a core strength. We use a three-stage control process: during machining, sharp tools with high RPM and shallow cuts prevent tool marks and roughness; between processes, all parts are film-wrapped and transferred in individual stations to avoid stacking scratches; before shipping, each piece is inspected under standard light sources against strict criteria for glossy, scratch-free, and blemish-free finishes. Batch consistency is guaranteed by fixed parameters and fixtures, not manual picking.

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Send Us Your Drawing — We Handle the Rest

Send your STEP / DWG / PDF drawing and get a detailed quote with free DFM analysis and process recommendations within 2 hours. No minimum order — from 1 piece.

Live inquiries
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