Thermoplastic comparison
Polystyrene (GPPS) vs PVC, rigid (uPVC)
Every value below is a typical room-temperature figure with its source, test method and conditions — the same dataset that drives the calculators.
| Property | Polystyrene (GPPS) | PVC, rigid (uPVC) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.05 g/cm³ | 1.4 g/cm³ | PVC, rigid (uPVC) — 33% higher |
| Young's modulus E | 3.2 GPa | 3 GPa | Polystyrene (GPPS) — 7% higher |
| Tensile strength | 46 MPa | 48 MPa | PVC, rigid (uPVC) — 4% higher |
| Glass transition Tg | 100 °C | 82 °C | Polystyrene (GPPS) — 18 °C higher |
Where these numbers come from
- Callister & Rethwisch, Materials Science and Engineering, 10th ed.
Typical room-temperature values for learning and preliminary design; grades vary widely and a supplier datasheet always overrides a textbook figure. Confirm against the datasheet before design work.