The recommended material for sodium hypochlorite and oxidiser duty, rigid, inherently flame-retardant PVC, hot-gas welded and fabricated to DVS standards in our Brisbane workshop.
uPVC (unplasticised polyvinyl chloride) is our recommended material for sodium hypochlorite and a broad range of acid, alkali and salt duty. It is rigid, stiff and inherently flame-retardant, with excellent resistance to the oxidising chemicals that attack polypropylene, which is why it is the long-recognised material for bleach storage.
Quick spec. Density 1.38 to 1.45 g/cm³ · continuous service to about +60 °C (practical ceiling near 40 °C in hypochlorite duty) · tensile strength 45 to 55 MPa · flexural modulus 2,500 to 3,000 MPa · excellent resistance to strong acids, alkalis, salts and oxidisers including sodium hypochlorite · low flammability (limiting oxygen index ~45).
Why uPVC matters in chemical service
uPVC is the recognised long-term material for sodium hypochlorite storage. Where polypropylene is attacked by the oxidiser and unmodified polyethylene has a materially shorter service window, rigid PVC holds up: independent compatibility data rate uPVC as excellent for hypochlorite below 20 percent, and uPVC reinforced with GRP, or clad in HDPE for UV protection, has a documented multi-decade record in bleach storage. PVC is also stiffer than the polyolefins, inherently flame-retardant, and readily hot-gas welded and solvent-cemented. Its limits are temperature (around 40 °C in oxidiser service) and UV exposure, so for outdoor duty it is shielded or specified in a UV-stabilised grade.
Engineering properties
| Property | uPVC (PVC-U) |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.38 to 1.45 g/cm³ |
| Tensile strength (yield) | 45 to 55 MPa |
| Flexural modulus | 2,500 to 3,000 MPa |
| Service temperature | 0 to +60 °C (about 40 °C practical ceiling for hypochlorite) |
| Vicat softening | ≈ 80 °C |
| Chemical resistance | Excellent vs strong acids, alkalis, salts and oxidisers including sodium hypochlorite. Not suitable for aromatic or chlorinated solvents, ketones or esters. |
| Fire performance | Self-extinguishing, low flammability (limiting oxygen index ~45) |
| Weldability | Hot-gas and extrusion welding with PVC rod; solvent-cement joints (hypochlorite-grade cement for NaOCl) |
| UV resistance | Shield or specify a UV-stabilised grade for outdoor service |
Where we use uPVC
Sodium hypochlorite & oxidiser storage
Our recommended material for sodium hypochlorite (12.5% and 15% trade-strength bleach), GRP-reinforced or HDPE-clad where structure or UV protection is needed.
Chemical & dosing tanks
uPVC tanks and bunds for acid, salt and oxidiser duty within the temperature window, fabricated to DVS 2205.
Low-pressure pipework & fittings
PVC-U pressure pipework, valves, filter housings and dosing-line fittings for water and chemical-process service.
Tank linings & clad construction
A PVC wetted inner with HDPE cladding for UV and impact protection, the construction used in our hypochlorite case study.
Formats and cut to size
PVC sheet is stocked in grey, white and clear, plus flexible clear PVC. Cut to size on our beam saw and routers. See sheet, rod and tube stock and cut to size plastic.
Standards and compliance, at a glance
- AS/NZS 1477, PVC-U pressure pipe.
- DVS 2207-15, PVC-U welding qualification.
- DVS 2205, thermoplastic tank design (applies to fabricated PVC tanks).
- BS EN 1452, PVC-U piping systems.
- AS/NZS 4020, products in contact with drinking water, where potable.
Frequently asked questions
Rigid PVC resists the oxidising chemicals that attack polypropylene, and independent compatibility data rate uPVC as excellent for hypochlorite below 20 percent. uPVC reinforced with GRP, or clad in HDPE for UV protection, has a documented multi decade record in bleach storage.
Continuous service to about 60 degrees, with a practical ceiling near 40 degrees in hypochlorite and oxidiser duty.
uPVC is inherently flame retardant and self extinguishing, with a limiting oxygen index around 45.
Hot gas and extrusion welded with PVC rod to DVS 2207-15, solvent cemented with hypochlorite grade cement for bleach duty, and fabricated into tanks to DVS 2205 in our Brisbane workshop.
For outdoor duty it is shielded or specified in a UV stabilised grade; a common construction is a PVC wetted inner with HDPE cladding for UV and impact protection.
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