PVC Machining Services

Also known as Rigid PVC · CPVC · Electrical-grade PVC

DEK's PVC machining service produces manifolds, valve blocks, tank fittings and plating-line fixtures from rigid PVC and CPVC. We cut PVC on 3-, 4- and 5-axis mills set up for its chlorine outgassing, holding ±0.01 mm on critical features with prototypes in 3–5 days and no MOQ.

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Rigid PVC Type 1
Rigid PVC Type 2
CPVC (chlorinated PVC)
Electrical-grade PVC

52 MPa

Tensile Strength
1.40 g/cm³

Density
60 °C

Max Service Temp
0.05%

Water Absorption

PVC CNC Machining Capabilities and Tolerances

What DEK holds on rigid PVC and CPVC parts, measured at 23 °C, from prototype to production runs.

Small Rigid Features
±0.01 mm
under 50 mm
Large Plates, Thin Walls
±0.05 mm
measured at 23 °C
As-Machined Finish
Ra 0.8–1.6 µm
deburred, standard
O-Ring Faces
Ra 0.8 µm
without polishing
Prototype Lead Time
3–5 days
engineer reviewed
Order Quantity
No MOQ
1 to 10,000+ pieces
Milling Axes
3, 4, 5-axis
manifolds, fixtures
Port Threads
NPT, BSP
cut to full form

PVC Properties and Grades We Machine

Property data for rigid PVC Type 1 and CPVC, the two grades most specified for machined PVC parts in fluid handling.

Rigid PVC Type 1

Density 1.40 g/cm³
Tensile strength 52 MPa
Max continuous service 60 °C
Water absorption (24 h) 0.05%
Flammability UL 94 V-0
Thermal expansion 70 × 10⁻⁶/K

CPVC (Chlorinated PVC)

Density 1.55 g/cm³
Tensile strength 55 MPa
Max continuous service 95 °C
Water absorption (24 h) 0.05%
Flammability UL 94 V-0
Thermal expansion 65 × 10⁻⁶/K

Grades and Best Use

Rigid PVC Type 1 Highest chem resistance
Rigid PVC Type 2 Impact-modified
CPVC Hot water to 95 °C
Electrical-grade PVC Insulators, V-0

PVC Machining and Tool Considerations

How rigid PVC and CPVC behave on the mill: heat control, chlorine outgassing, thermal growth and notch sensitivity.

PVC releases hydrogen chloride near 140 °C, the temperature a rubbing tool reaches. We run sharp high-rake carbide, air-blast or water-based coolant and fast chip evacuation, and wipe machines down after PVC runs.

Extruded plate warps when one face is pocketed deeply: we rough both sides, rest the blank, then finish on our CNC milling services. Walls under 3 mm are annealed at 60 °C.

0.5 mm internal radii, 0.3 mm chamfers: PVC is notch-sensitive.
1.5 mm minimum between pressurized channels, 1.0 mm on unpressurized fixtures.
A 500 mm manifold grows 0.35 mm per 10 °C; port spacing ±0.1 mm.
PTFE tape on threads; anaerobic sealants can craze PVC.

Machinability (Type 1)
Good
Sharp tools, moderate speed
Machinability (CPVC)
Good
Harder, brittle at corners
HCl Release
Near 140 °C
Rubbing tool temperature
Thermal Expansion
70 µm/m·K
Three times aluminum
Min Wall, Pressurized
1.5 mm
Between adjacent channels

Typical Machined PVC Parts

Machined PVC parts serve chemical, semiconductor, equipment and marine users who need acid and salt resistance at low cost.

Chemical Manifolds

Manifolds, valve blocks, dosing-pump heads and tank fittings for chemical processing and water treatment below 60 °C.
Wet-Bench Fixtures

Semiconductor wet-bench fixtures, plating racks and chemical delivery components that resist acids, bases and salts.
Electrical Insulators

Insulator blocks, bus bar supports and terminal barriers in electrical-grade PVC, inherently rated UL 94 V-0.
Assembly Fixtures

Guards, cabinet panels, machine covers and low-cost assembly fixtures for industrial equipment and automation.

PVC vs CPVC, Polypropylene, PTFE and 316

Below 60 °C rigid PVC is the economical choice; step to CPVC for hot service, to PTFE or 316 stainless only where PVC's limits are exceeded.

Criteria	This GradeRigid PVC	CPVC	Polypropylene	PTFE	316
Service temp	60 °C	95 °C	90 °C	260 °C	Higher
Stock cost	Lowest	+30–50%	–	10x	Higher
Chlorides	Untouched	Better hot	–	Inert	Can pit
Precision	Yes	Yes	Harder	Creeps	Best
HCl release	Yes	Yes	No	–	No
Solvent bond	Yes	–	–	–	–

Finishing Options for Machined PVC Parts

CNC machining + finish options suited to PVC; vapor polishing adds little, anodizing and plating do not apply.

As-machined Available

Ra 0.8–1.6 µm and deburred at every channel intersection: the standard finish for PVC fluid-handling parts and sealing faces.
Bead blasting Available

CNC machining + bead blasting gives a matte finish on PVC guards and cosmetic panels without changing critical dimensions.
Painting Available

PVC accepts vinyl and acrylic paints without primer, useful for color coding on machined fixtures and assemblies.
Laser marking Available

Laser marking and engraving of port labels and flow directions on machined PVC manifolds and fixtures.

Request a Quote for Machined PVC Parts

Send PDF, STEP or IGES files with process fluid, temperature and pressure; an engineer confirms the grade and quotes within 6 hours. No MOQ.

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PVC Fabrication and Machining at DEK

DEK pairs PVC CNC machining with solvent bonding, hot-gas welding and pressure testing, so multi-piece fluid assemblies ship from one certified supplier.

Why DEK for PVC CNC Machining

DEK has machined plastics beside metals since 2002, under ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485 and AS9100D certification through TÜV. An engineer reviews every drawing, checking channel intersections, wall thickness and port threads before the first cut.

Inspection covers IQC, IPQC, FAI and OQC, with pressure testing when specified. PVC manifolds usually mount to stainless valves and fittings, machined in the same order. See all plastic CNC machining services.

PVC Fabrication and Supporting Processes

Beyond milling and turning, we deep- and cross-drill manifold channels with gun-drill techniques so intersecting bores stay leak-tight, and cut NPT and BSP ports with a 45° lead-in chamfer.

Solvent cement bonding of multi-piece manifolds
Hot-gas welding of tank fittings
Sheet-based PVC fabrication of guards, trays and cabinets

Raw Stock

CNC Machined

Finished Parts
Raw Stock

CNC Machined

Finished Parts

PVC Machining FAQ

Common questions about rigid PVC and CPVC machining from engineering teams.

Can PVC be CNC machined?

Yes. Rigid PVC and CPVC machine well with sharp carbide tools at moderate speeds. The key is keeping the cut cool: PVC releases hydrogen chloride if a dull tool rubs and overheats it, which damages both the part and the machine.

What is the difference between PVC and CPVC machining?

CPVC has extra chlorine, which raises the service temperature from 60 °C to 95 °C and improves hot-chemical resistance. CPVC machining is similar, but the material is a little harder and more brittle at sharp corners, so radii and chamfers matter more.

What tolerance is realistic for PVC CNC machining?

±0.01 mm on small rigid features and ±0.05 mm on large manifolds and plates. Thermal expansion is three times aluminum, so we inspect at 23 °C and recommend compliant seals at PVC-to-metal interfaces.

Is PVC suitable for high-temperature parts?

No. Rigid PVC softens above 60 °C and CPVC above 95 °C. For hotter fluid-handling parts, specify polypropylene, PTFE or a stainless steel that suits the chemistry.

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