Caps and plugs: PVC vs TPE

Both polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) are materials used for caps and plugs. PVC is incredibly versatile and can be formulated to be rigid or soft. It’s PVC’s flexibility and high mechanical strength that makes it a popular choice for caps and plugs. 

In this article, we will explore:

• What are the differences between PVC & TPE?

• PVC explained

• TPE explained

• PVC and TPE: how do they compare?

• How does this translate to caps and plugs?

• Examples of TPE caps and plugs

• Examples of PVC caps and plugs

What are the differences between PVC & TPE?

Like PVC, TPE is also versatile. TPE combines all of the performance advantages of rubber with the easy processing of plastics. Yet TPE is not as commonly used for caps and plugs as PVC, and there are good reasons for this, even though both are flexible.
First, let’s look at the materials individually to understand their characteristics.

PVC explained

PVC is second only to polyethylene as the most manufactured plastic in the world, says the British Plastics Federation. PVC is compatible with a range of additives, which is what makes it so versatile. These additives include heat stabilisers, lubricants, and plasticisers. The latter is responsible for giving PVC its flexibility. You can also add impact modifiers, fillers, nitrile rubbers, just to name a few.

PVC is also low cost compared to other plastics, including TPE. For that reason, and its versatility, you’ll find PVC in everything from window frames and drainage pipes to fashion and footwear. It’s durable, resisting weathering and corrosion, which makes it an excellent choice for outdoor applications.

PVC Advantages

• High density means it resists impact deformation as compared to most other plastics
• Durable, resisting weathering and corrosion, which makes it an excellent choice for outdoor applications. According to a paper by the University of Bologna, a measurement taken by the Japan PVC Pipe and Fittings Association showed no deterioration in 35-year-old underground pipes
• Excellent cost-performance advantages, with long life span and low maintenance
• Low thermal conductivity
• Good dialectic strength. Does not conduct electricity, making it an excellent material for electrical applications, e.g. insulation sheathing for cables, especially when combined with its fire-retardant properties

PVC Disadvantages

• Limited thermal capability, though additives can stabilize PVC at higher temperatures
• Higher density than many plastics, which can be an advantage if that’s what you want. If it’s not, consider another material
• Emits toxic fumes when melted, which makes it less than ideal as a material for injection moulding
• Not a good material for CNC machining unless the cutter is made from stainless steel. PVC is corrosive and abrasive and can cause any other cutter to deteriorate over time

Because TPE is a rubber-like material, it’s often confused with thermoplastic rubbers (TPR) – our handy guide can explain the difference.

TPE offers good ductility and is non-toxic, which is why the medical industry relies on it so much. Besides medical supplies, you’ll find TPE in sporting goods, tools – such as handles – phone cases, computer keyboards, and automotive parts. In fact, around 40% of all TPE products are used in manufacturing vehicles, according to researchers Ceresana.

TPE advantages

• Excellent flexural fatigue resistance
• Good tear and abrasion resistance
• High impact strength
• Excellent resistance to chemicals
• Withstands weathering, including outstanding ozone resistance, which makes it a great choice for outdoor applications
• Good electrical properties
• Flexible
• Low density and thinner wall sections equals low cost
• Lower energy costs versus thermosets for processing, as cross-linking is avoided, achieving faster cycle times

TPE disadvantages

• Extensive heat aging causes severe change in mechanical properties
• High cost compared to some plastics
• TPEs tend to creep under sustained pressure and temperature, meaning it can move and deform.

PVC and TPE: how do they compare?

The next question is how do they compare to each other? It helps to look at their characteristics in various environments:

 

	PVC	TPE
Tensile Strength	2.60 N/mm²	0.5 – 2.4 N/mm²
Notched Impact Strength	2.0 – 45.0 Kj/m²	No break Kj/m²
Thermal Coefficient of expansion	80 x 10-6	130 x 10-6
Max Cont Use Temp	60˚C / 140˚F	140˚C / 284˚F
Density	1.38g/cm3	0.91 - 1.3 g/cm3

 

Resistance to chemicals:

	PVC	TPE
Dilute Acid	Very good	Excellent
Dilute Alkalis	Very good	Excellent
Oils and Greases	Good (variable)	Excellent
Aliphatic Hydrocarbons	Very good	Excellent
Aromatic Hydrocarbons	Poor	Poor
Hydrogenated Hydrocarbons	Moderate (variable)	Poor
Alcohols	Good (variable)	Excellent

How does this translate to caps and plugs?

Both PVC and TPE caps protect applications from contaminants. They share similar properties, but PVC is plentiful, so it’s economical and has a cost advantage over TPE, which makes it more commonly used as caps and plugs.

PVC caps and plugs easily handle the demands of the masking process, which makes it ideal for these applications:

• Power coating
• E-coating
• Anodizing
• Wet paint
• Blasting

TPE has more specialist applications as caps and plugs. For instance, consider flexible end caps. These are generally used for masking and are available in either PVC or TPE. The TPE version is acid resistant and does a better job of standing up to oil and greases, which makes them ideal for the automotive industry.

Both are used extensively in electrical applications, where caps play an important role. Here’s a look at their general performance in cable management applications:

Resistance	PVC	TPE
Oxidation	Excellent	Best
Heat	Good - Excellent	Best
Oil	Fair	Best
Low-temperature flexibility	Poor - good	Best
Weather, including sun	Good - excellent	Best
Ozone	Excellent	Excellent
Abrasion	Fair - good	Excellent
Electrical properties	Fair - good	Excellent
Flame	Excellent	Best
Nuclear radiation	Fair	Poor
Water	Good - excellent	Best
Acid	Good - excellent	Best
Alkali	Good - excellent	Excellent
Gasoline	Poor	Excellent
Benzol	Poor - fair	Excellent
Degreaser solvents	Poor - fair	Excellent
Alcohol	Good - excellent	Excellent

Quick release plugs also provide excellent protection from damage contaminants. TPE is ideal for these applications, inside or outside, and can prolong the life of your couplings.

TPE also has excellent resistance to water, which is why it works so well as a hose washer cap. It keeps a dishwasher or washing machine’s tube or hose from sliding over the fittings.

Body plugs are primarily used by the automotive industry, filling cavities on sheet metal. TPE works well because the plug is exposed to harsh external elements.

Straight tip (ST) connector dust cap with a lanyard is an example that shows TPE’s fantastic versatility when it comes to applications, this time, in cable management. TPE has excellent electrical properties, which makes it the perfect dust cap for ST connectors, providing protection from contaminants that can scratch fibers or cause damage.

More examples of PVC caps and plugs

PVC is even more versatile than TPE. Parallel protection plugs are an example of PVC in an electrical application. They’re resistant to shredding, protect connectors and add an aesthetic look to the finished job.

Masking is an area where PVC really shines. For example, flexible end caps provide a tight fit during the masking process, protecting threads from contaminants.

Pull tab caps are quick and easy to remove with a large pull tab. Available in different materials that provide good tensile strength and toughness, PVC’s flexibility makes it especially easy to use.

Butt-weld fittings are intended to have a long service life, and butt-weld caps made of PVC can help that happen, offering protection from damage and dirt and moisture ingress. Easy to apply, these caps stretch onto larger dimensions for a snug fit while saving labor assembly costs.

To secure matching bolt hole flange protectors, flange protector retainer plugs are easy to use. The reason again is the material. Flexible PVC allows you to insert the protective discs to the flange face without any hassles.

In the end, you have two materials that are quite similar in certain conditions and applications. Your choice might come down to price, or specific properties. Either way, it’s hard to go wrong with either material.

 

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