Plastics PVC

PVC E-mail

 

Material PVC - polyvinyl chloride (vinyl)
Facts  PVC is a heavy, stiff, ductile and medium strong amorphous (transparent) material. By adding softeners a range of softer materials can be achieved, ranging from a flexible to an almost rubber-like elastic soft material.

Softeners also help to increase the manufacturability. PVC has brilliant resistance to acids and bases, but is affected by some solvents. Soft PVC is exceptionally resistant to most chemicals.

Tubes made of PVC have the unique ability that they do not kink, i.e. stop the flow if bent. The poor weather resistance can be improved using additives. PVC has good barrier properties to atmospheric gasses.
Category Plastics, Thermoplastics
Products Boat fender
World champion canoe
Garden hose
Electrical wire insulation
Vinyl flooring
Roof gutter
Vinyl record
Children's doll
Wrapping film
Medical transparent tube
Pneumatic chair
Processes Plastic moulding
Plastic injection moulding
Rotation moulding
Plastic welding
Extrusion
Blow moulding
Film blowing
Similar materials PolyEthylene (PE)
Thermoplastic elastomers
Keywords PVC
Rubber like
Transparent
Wheather proof
Vinyl
Glossy
Price Low cost plastic (see also Plastics general overview)
Environmental notes Creation: Production of 1 kg of PVC requires the equivalent of about 1 1/2 kg of oil (raw material and energy).

Use: PVC is self-extinguishing due to the content of chlorine. Soft PVC contains the softener agent DEHP which is under suspicion to reduce men's semen quality. Soft PVC should therefore not be used in contact with food.

Disposal: When PVC burns, strong hydrochloric acid emanates. Incomplete combustion can develop poisonous dioxine. PVC can be recycled and used in e.g. garden hoses. Heating value is equivalent to 1/4 kg of oil.