Since its introduction into the market in 1958, CPVC found its main use in the manufacture of pipe, valves and fittings and associated industrial parts, where higher temperature and chemical resistance are of crucial importance. CPVC offers special benefits in a highly corrosive and high temperature environment, and when combined with cost advantages, CPVC became very appealing alternatives to metals. The excellent chemical and fire resistance, as well as higher temperature resistance of CPVC is due to the post-chlorination process in which the higher chlorine content is present and is responsible for these unique properties. The chlorine atoms are permanently bonded and are not released into the atmosphere or into the fluid being carried through the pipe, even at a higher temperature. CPVC differs from PVC in that approximately 40% of the bonding sites on the backbone are filled with strategically placed chlorine atoms, while the remaining 60% of available sites are filled with hydrogen. In PVC, every other carbon in the backbone bonds with chlorine atoms, while the remaining bonding sites are filled by hydrogen. CPVC retains all the good properties of PVC at considerably higher temperatures; combined with inherently excellent fire retardant properties, it is an economical alternative to other high cost, high performance polymers, such as PVDF, ECTFE, etc.

Chemicals that are strong oxidizers are capable of breaking the carbon to carbon bonds of a polymer chain, resulting in its effective disintegration. The hydrogen atoms surrounding the carbon backbone of polyolefin's such as polyethylene and polypropylene are small atoms that are incapable of protecting the chain from attack by strong oxidizing agents. The chlorine atoms surrounding the carbon backbone of CPVC, however, are large atoms which more effectively protect the chain from attack. Literally, access to the CPVC carbon chain is restricted by the chlorine on the molecule.
Many chemicals encountered in the process industry aggressively corrode most metal equipment, resulting in process leaks, flow restrictions, and ultimately premature failure. CPVC systems are chemically inert to most mineral acids, bases and salts, as well as aliphatic hydrocarbons. In addition, these systems are not subject to galvanic corrosion. Hence, CPVC is a suitable choice for highly corrosive, high temperature applications for the following process industries: chemicals, pulp and paper, metal treatment, chlor-alkali, fertilizers, mining, waste water treatment and semiconductors. If excellent chemical resistance against strong and weak acids is required at higher temperatures, not so many plastic materials can compete with CPVC.
PVDF, a technically excellent material is frequently over specified for applications even at ambient and not so high temperatures. This usage is despite the fact that PVDF is more expensive than CPVC and CPVC piping systems on a total installed cost basis can give up to 15-40% savings as against PVDF systems.

However, as any other material, CPVC has its restrictions and is not recommended for use with most polar organic materials including various solvents. CPVC test samples exposed under stress to surfactants, certain oils or grease have shown signs of environmental stress cracking, softening or swelling. (Environmental stress cracking is a situation in which the manufactured pipe or fittings are weakened by contact with certain chemicals, and cracks are propagated by external stresses, which can include not only the known pressure stress on the system but also the stress from sources such as expansion and installation). Certain organic solvents which are soluble with water, such as alcohols, may safely be handled below a certain concentration in CPVC equipment. The acceptable concentration level varies with the type of solvent; solvent that are insoluble in water, however, such as aromatics, will likely be absorbed by the piping over time, even when they are present at very low levels in the water.

It is a well known fact that Earth's atmosphere is only about 21% oxygen; CPVC with its LOI (Limiting Oxygen Index) of 60 will not sustain burning unless flame is constantly supplied. CPVC simply stops burning and chars, while the system continues to perform adequately. This is not the case with other commodity plastics, such as PP. Although the ignition temperature of PP is quite high (343°C) and once burning is initiated, PP will continue to burn, even if the fire source is removed.

Without the benefits of flame retardants and smoke inhibitors, CPVC inherently exhibits outstanding fire performance characteristics in terms of limited flame propagation and low smoke generation. The combination of excellent fire resistance properties with excellent chemical resistance, mechanical strength, low thermal conductivity, improved hydraulics and outstanding corrosion resistance, makes CPVC the excellent value proposition in terms of safety and trouble free performance in a wide range of industrial process piping and ducting applications.
CPVC is a natural choice in semiconductor industry where safety and fire concerns are very important. CPVC was one of the first plastic materials approved for clean room applications (wet benches, cabinets, etc.) back in 1998. CPVC has been blended with a significant concentration of both carbon black and titanium dioxide (TiO2). Both carbon black and TiO2 are widely recognized as excellent ultraviolet blocking agents and help to protect the polymer backbone from the effects of ultraviolet radiation. Pressure bearing capabilities of CPVC piping systems is maintained after extended exposure. If the specific installation required additional protection from UV exposure, then CPVC piping systems can be painted with common acrylic latex paint.

CPVC has a proven record of more than 40 years in demanding industrial applications and offers technically attractive alternatives at an affordable price in many chemical processing environments. Though not suitable for each and every application, consideration should be given to use CPVC, especially if corrosion at higher temperatures is an issue.