Telling Hypalon and PVC apart

[offduty]

A good friend just picked up an old RIB. It's got some leaks but we are going to have a go at repairing her. I don't have any pics or info about the boat right now, but was wondering how you can tell Hypalon and PVC apart?
Thanks
Eric

[redxpuser]

I think you will find Hypalon can be sanded and produces a fine dust. PVC cannot.
Hope this helps

[Tino B]

Thanks Red,
My boat is an 86 and looks to me like Hypalon.

Any other methods of testing?

[Lets go boating]

pvc is usually around windows hypalon is on ribs

sorry im not helping

[ribfan]

There are a couple of other ways to tell what the tube material is, By the way, what brand is the boat, often time someone can tell you based on that. If you have a small hidden edge, you can tell by heating a needle with a match and touching it to the fabric. PVC will melt, Hypalon will not. Another way, if you can shine a flashlight into the tube, PVC will pass light, hypalon will not.

Hope that helps a bit.

Bill

www.eclecticwonders.com uncommon art

[offduty]

I don't know the brand of the boat. It doesn't have any name on the tubes, don't even know if they are the original tubes. The valves on the tubes are Avon, but the hull is not. I'll take some pics when I get the chance. It's an unusual hull design.

Thanks for the replies, it gives us a place to start.

[Tino B]

Thanks Bill.
Here is the link with a few pictures.

[ribfan]

What link?

[kelson]

Check out this link. The MEK or Toloul solvent test work well. http://www.riverconnection.com/infla...b4948070222c35

[Tino B]

http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=32514

Ooops, my bad...