What are the effects of prolonged bending on the fatigue life of PVC joints?
Prolonged bending significantly reduces the fatigue life of PVC joints due to accumulated mechanical stress and material degradation. PVC (polyvinyl chloride) joints are widely used in plumbing and construction for their durability, but continuous bending can lead to micro-cracks, reduced flexibility, and eventual failure. The cyclic stress from bending weakens the polymer structure, accelerating fatigue. Factors like temperature, load frequency, and joint design also influence this process. To mitigate these effects, proper installation, avoiding excessive bending, and using reinforced PVC variants are recommended. Understanding these impacts helps in designing longer-lasting PVC joint systems.
