PVC vs ABS
PVC and ABS are common, affordable plastics often compared for housings, fittings, and fabricated parts. PVC brings excellent chemical, flame, and weather resistance at low cost, but a low service ceiling (~60 C). ABS is tougher, has higher impact resistance, machines and glues easily, and is the prototyping and consumer-housing default. The split is chemical and flame performance versus toughness and ease of fabrication.
The verdict
Choose PVC for chemical-resistant, flame-retardant, or weather-exposed parts where inherent flame resistance and corrosion resistance matter. Choose ABS when toughness, impact resistance, and easy machining or solvent bonding are priorities for housings, prototypes, and consumer parts.
Side-by-side data
| Property | PVC | ABS |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Plastic | Plastic |
| Density (g/cm³) | 1.4 | 1.05 |
| Tensile strength (MPa) | 52 | 40 |
| Yield strength (MPa) | 45 | 40 |
| Elongation (%) | 40 | 10 |
| Hardness | D75 | R105 |
| Max service temp (°C) | 60 | 80 |
| Machinability | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Corrosion resistance | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Relative cost | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Thermal cond. (W/m·K) | 0.16 | 0.17 |
| Typically used for | Low-cost chemical-resistant parts | Prototypes, housings & consumer parts |
Which should you choose?
Choose PVC when…
- Chemical resistance is critical — PVC is rated 5/5 and resists many acids and bases
- Inherent flame retardance is needed; rigid PVC is self-extinguishing without additives
- The part is exposed to weather and UV, where PVC performs well outdoors
- Low cost (~1.2) is important for chemical tanks, ducts, or fittings
- Higher tensile strength than ABS (~52 vs ~40 MPa) helps in rigid structural parts
- Service temperature stays low — PVC tops out around 60 C
Choose ABS when…
- Toughness and impact resistance lead — ABS resists cracking far better than rigid PVC
- The part must be machined easily; ABS machines cleanly (4.0/5) for housings and prototypes
- Solvent or adhesive bonding and assembly are needed — ABS glues readily
- Higher service temperature is required (~80 C vs PVC ~60 C)
- It is a consumer product, housing, or 3D-printed/molded prototype
- Cosmetic finish and paintability matter
Key differences that matter
- PVC has higher tensile strength (~52 vs ~40 MPa) and better chemical resistance (5/5 vs 4.5/5)
- ABS is tougher and far more impact-resistant; rigid PVC is more brittle
- PVC is inherently flame-retardant and self-extinguishing, an advantage in many enclosures and ducting
- ABS handles a higher service temperature (~80 C vs PVC ~60 C)
- ABS machines and solvent-bonds easily, making it the go-to for prototypes and housings
- PVC weathers and resists UV better, favoring outdoor and chemical-exposure parts
- Both are low-cost; PVC (~1.2) is slightly cheaper than ABS (~1.5)
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Open the Material SelectorGet a Quote →Frequently asked questions
Is PVC or ABS more chemically resistant?
PVC is, rated 5/5 versus ABS at 4.5/5. PVC resists a broad range of acids and bases and is widely used for chemical piping, tanks, and ducting. ABS holds up to many household chemicals but is attacked by some solvents — which is actually why solvent cements bond it so well. For aggressive chemical service, PVC leads.
Why is ABS preferred for prototypes and housings?
ABS is tougher and more impact-resistant than rigid PVC, machines cleanly (4.0/5), solvent-bonds and glues easily, and takes paint well. It also handles a higher service temperature (~80 C vs ~60 C). Those fabrication and durability traits make it the default for consumer housings, enclosures, and machined or printed prototypes.
Which handles flame better?
PVC. Rigid PVC is inherently flame-retardant and self-extinguishing because of its chlorine content, without flame-retardant additives. Standard ABS is combustible unless specially formulated as flame-retardant grade. For enclosures or ducting with flame-resistance requirements, PVC has a built-in advantage.
Can either be used outdoors?
PVC is the better outdoor choice — it weathers and resists UV well, which is why it is common in exterior trim, fencing, and piping. Standard ABS degrades and yellows under prolonged UV unless UV-stabilized (or substituted with ASA). For weather-exposed parts, PVC is the safer default.
Property values are typical/nominal figures for early-stage guidance only and vary by temper, grade, supplier and heat treatment. Confirm critical specifications against a certified datasheet or with an mfgiq engineer before production.