Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) has become one of the most popular thermoplastics worldwide. Although PVC has existed for more than a century, however, its commercial use began after the 1950s. As of now, PVC is mostly used in the construction industry and making signboards, healthcare applications, and fiber for clothing or tents.
Functions of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Before adding any plasticizers, PVC is white and brittle. It
is produced in two forms; rigid and flexible. The rigid PVC is an unplasticized
polymer whereas the flexible one is plasticized. PVC is known for its brittle
structure; however, the plasticized versions offer high flexibility which makes
it suitable for use in a wide range of industries. Although PVC is popular due
to its flexibility, yet the rigid PVC remains equally popular because it is also
used in a variety of applications such as plumbing, sewage, and agriculture.
Plasticized PVC is softer and malleable owing to
plasticizers like phthalates which make it the most commonly used material in construction.
It is used as insulation on electrical wires and also for flooring residential
and commercial buildings where the consideration is the provision of a sterile
environment. PVC is also used as an alternate for rubber. Rigid PVC is also
known as vinyl.
Characteristics of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Some of the most significant properties of Polyvinyl
Chloride (PVC) are discussed below.
1.
Density
Compared to most plastics, PVC has a higher density. The
specific gravity is around 1.4 which is high when compared to most of the other
plastics.
2.
Availability
PVC is available in abundance which makes it really
cost-effective to use as a base material for manufacturing a wide range of
applications across a lot of industries.
3.
Durability
Rigid PVC is known for its hardness and durability. That is
why it is used in sensitive industries such as construction, flooring, and pipe
making.
4.
Strength
PVC is a highly flexible material that allows it to offer
more tensile strength and tolerance. Due to this strength and flexibility, it
can be used to manufacture intricate structures with perfection.
Distinctive Feature
Polyvinyl Chloride or PVS is a "thermoplastic" material,
which means it can be heated to mold into the desired structure, without losing
its strength or any kind of quality degradation. This means PVC can be recycled
effectively which contributes to eco-friendliness. On the contrary, thermoset plastics
can only be heated once. Upon heating they can be molded into the desired
structure, however, once they have cooled down to the desired structure, they
cannot be reversed to the previous state. If you try to heat it once again, it would
melt but will only burn. Hence thermoset materials cannot be recycled.
Why is Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) popular?
PVC is popular in various industries because of its rigidity
and the flexibility it offers. Rigid PVC is a highly strong and reliable material
as it possesses a high density for plastic which makes it extremely hard. Other
than this, PVC is readily available and costs lesser than other alternatives.
Once you combine these qualities with PVC’s lifetime and reusability, it becomes the unmatchable choice for various industries. Other properties of PVC which make
it an extremely desirable material are its durable nature and lightweight-ness.
Due to these properties, it can be used in industries where attractiveness is
also one of the concerns. Another factor that makes Customize PVC
Fabric Covering so popular material is its high chlorine content which
makes it fire-resistant material, which is considered a highly desirable property
of base material in various industries.
Types of PVC
There are two broad categories of Polyvinyl Chloride; rigid
and flexible. Each category comes with its own share of pros and cons for
specific industries. Flexible PVC can be used as an alternative for rubber, and
can also be used as an insulator in electrical cables. Rigid PVC is used in
construction and plumbing because it is lightweight, cost-effective, and highly
durable material.
Advantages of Polyvinyl Chloride
PVC offers highly desirable advantages to some industries
which make it the perfect material for that specific industry. Polyvinyl
Chloride is readily available and costs less than other alternatives. It is very
dense and hard, which gives it distinctive resistance against shocks and impact
deformation, as compared to other plastics. It is one of its kind thermoplastic
that offers outstanding tensile strength and resistance to chemicals as well
as to alkalis.
Disadvantages of Polyvinyl Chloride
Although PVS offers a wide range of advantages, however, the
cons side is also there. Some of the disadvantages which you should be aware of
include poor heat stability. To combat this, additives are used during
production to acquire stability at higher temperatures. Upon melting, PVC emits
toxic fumes which are harmful to the environment as well as human beings.
