Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) was introduced in the early 1930s. This polymer is produced annually in about 45 million tons in the world and is the most widely used polymer material in the world after polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP).
PVC is a very durable and long-lasting material which can be used in a variety of applications, either rigid or flexible, white or black and a wide range of colors in between.
Types and Application of PVC
Based on the classification of PVCs into two types, flexible and rigid, their application will also be different.
- Unplasticized or Rigid Polyvinyl chloride (UPVC)
In unplasticized PVC, plasticizers (lubricants) are not used, and these PVCs are durable and inflexible and are mostly used in industrial applications such as Water and sewage pipes, fittings, door and window profiles.
- Plasticized or Flexible Polyvinyl chloride (PVC-P)
This PVC is much softer and more flexible than UPVC due to the addition of plasticizers such as phthalates (DOP). This kind of polymers are used in soft pipes, Soft sheets and films, calendaring, Shoe manufacturing industries, Cans and plastic parts, cable and electricity, Car and home flooring raw materials, Clothing Industry.
Production methods
PVC is produced in two types of suspension(S-PVC) and emulsion (E-PVC).
S-PVC can be used in the production of transparent products. One of the major disadvantages of this type of polymer is its high sensitivity to heat, light and oxygen compared to E-PVC. One of the advantages of this mode is the ease of heat transfer due to the polymerization reaction, which is easily done by the aqueous medium.
mechanical and electrical properties of E-PVC are lower than S type and it is mostly used for the production of synthetic leather, wallpaper, gloves.
Advantages of PVC
The advantages of PVC include dimensional stability, Excellent resistance to water and aqueous solutions, High tensile and impact strength, Resistant to corrosion, Proper processability, cheap price, Thermal and acoustic insulation, flame retardant, Good electrical insulation & vapor barrier properties and Good resistance to UV, acids, alkalis, oils and many corrosive inorganic chemicals.
Disadvantages of PVC
While PVC has a host of advantages that make it a desirable material to work with, there are some reasons to take caution. The disadvantages that you have to account for when using PVC include:
- Polyvinyl Chloride has very poor heat stability. For this reason, additives that stabilize the material at higher temperatures are typically added to the material during production.
- Polyvinyl Chloride emits toxic fumes when melted or subject to a fire.