Artificial and natural weathering of chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC)

The effects of natural and artificial weathering on mechanical properties of Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (CPVC) pipe material are investigated. Tensile specimens, prepared from locally manufactured CPVC commercial pipes (4-in Schedule 80) were exposed for periods ranging from 2 weeks to 18 months in the harsh weather conditions of Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. The accelerated artificial weathering was carried out in the Q- Sun Xe-3-HS Xenon Test Chambers for periods ranging from 100 to 3000 hours. Standard tensile tests were performed before and after exposure. The tensile test results show that natural and accelerated artificial weathering had limited effects on the tensile and fracture strengths and modulus of elasticity of the material. However, the deterioration of the fracture strain is noticeable for exposure periods as short as 15 days of natural exposure and 100 hours of artificial UV exposure. Visual analysis of exposed specimens revealed that both types of exposures resulted in the discoloration of the specimens.