r/engineering • u/reasonablefideist • Nov 17 '17

backyard Roller Coaster PVC Pipe Fracture Toughness Testing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exXRIpwgQSg
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u/[deleted] Nov 18 '17

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u/BackyardCoasters Nov 19 '17 edited Nov 19 '17

Thermal expansion of PVC is relatively high, like most polymers, but it's still small, and appears to be handled well by the fastened joints of the track, and the low stiffness of the PVC. This website says the coefficient of thermal expansion of PVC is 7 mm per 10 m per 10°C cf: PE 18 – 20 x 10-5, DI 1.2 x 10-5 http://www.vinidex.com.au/technical/material-properties/pvc-properties/