FILLERS USED IN
POLY (VINYL CHLORIDE) (PVC) PIPE
Fillers are added to the PVC resin mix to lower material costs, provide coloring,
Ultra Violet (UV) protection and lubrication. Fillers that are used to replace resin are
generally calcium carbonate (limestone), diatomaceous earths, and clays.
Limestone is the most prevalent filler and can be added to the resin mix without
restrictions per ASTM specifications. ASTM D 1784, "Standard Specification for Rigid
Poly (Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Compounds and Chlorinated Poly (Vinyl Chloride) (PVC)
Compounds and Chlorinated Poly (Vinyl Chloride) (CPVC) Compounds", states the
following:
"1.1 This specification covers rigid plastic compounds
composed of poly (vinyl chloride), chlorinated poly (vinyl
chloride), or vinyl chloride co-polymers, and the
necessary compounding ingredients. The resin portion of
copolymer compounds shall contain at least 80% vinyl
chloride. The compounding ingredients may consist of
lubricants, stabilizers, nonpoly (vinyl chloride) resin
modifiers, and pigments essential for processing property
control and coloring."
A quick reading of the above paragraph from ASTM D 1784 could suggest that 20%
fillers are allowed since 80% of the compound shall be poly (vinyl chloride). THIS IS
NOT CORRECT! A closer reading of paragraph 1.1 of ASTM D 1784 states that at
least 80% OF THE RESIN MATERIAL must be poly (vinyl chloride) and the other
20% OF THE RESIN can be either chlorinated poly (vinyl chloride) or vinyl chloride
copolymers, or a mixture of the resins. NOTHING IS MENTIONED ABOUT THE
AMOUNT OF FILLERS! The pipe could have any combination of resins and fillers.
All specifications relating to PVC pipe should have a statement limiting the amount
of fillers allowed. It is suggested that a maximum of 10 parts by weight of fillers to
100 parts of PVC resin (9%) is a reasonable amount. The AGC/APWA "Standard
Specification for Public Works Construction" for Southern California (commonly
called the "Green Book") requires the following:
"207-17.2.2 Additives and fillers, including but not limited
to stabilizers, antioxidants, lubricants, colorants, etc.,
shall not exceed 10 parts by weight per 100 parts of PVC
resin in the compound."
2002 Page 1 of 2
01/92
The European equivalent of ASTM does not allow fillers. The European standard,
DIN 8016, states the following for Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride Pipes:
"2 PVC-U and PVC-HI, made from unplasticized PVC
moulding material, SHALL NOT CONTAIN FILLERS!"
DIN 8061 does, however, allow processing additives such as lubricants and coloring
pigments.
The reason limitations are placed on the amount of fillers is that while some initial
mechanical properties are improved, such as tensile strength and modulus of
elasticity, the addition of fillers may cause the long-term properties to decrease
substantially. For example, calcium carbonate fillers, which are often used, may
improve the short-term strength, but at the sacrifice of long-term pipe strength
characteristics and environmental stress crack resistance.
An analysis of some recently produced plastic pipes showed fillers used in excess of
75% compared to 8% ± filler content used years ago.
The performance of plastic pipes that were produced in years past from materials
having a low filler content should not be used to support future performance of
pipes using greater amounts of fillers.
Conclusion: Fillers should be limited to 10 parts by weight to 100 parts of
resin (9%).
2002 Page 2 of 2
01/92
