Hi Wayne,

I performed the same tests on some PVC here, with very different results. I held the PVC in a vice and bent it - it folded but did not break until it was waved back and forth then twisted. I then hit it with a hammer, which flattened it but there was no breakage.

I am an Aussie living in Sweden, the Swedish PVC pipe I have seen is very different to the Australian material, which from memory and your description is similar to yours. The reason for the behavior is not the base material PVC, but probably the type and amount of filler material. PVC can be anything from flexible to rigid depending on the application.

I think Swedish PVC has less filler, more PVC.

In short, it could still be a good idea depending on the type and quality of the PVC used.

Thanks for raising the thread.

: You made some very good points. Especially about PVC splintering. I took some
: out with a hammer and whacked at it a little - didn't like what I saw.
: Then I compared it to similar strikes on a wood dowel which was much more
: durable.

: So I guess it'll need to be wood for me.

: Thanks all for your input!

: Wayne