A man-made polymer, PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) is one of the most commonly used thermoplastics polymers worldwide. With its commendable properties, it is replacing traditional building materials such as wood, metal, concrete, and clay in many applications. Usage of PVC has grown steadily since its production and become a very widely used plastic in a myriad of uses from fills and mouldings to extruded pipes.
General form of PVC
Polyvinyl chloride is widely available in two broad categories: a rigid or unplasticized polymer and another as a flexible plastic. Note that, in its base form PVC is characterized by its rigid yet brittle structure with excellent resistance to water and aqueous solutions. While the rigid version in the form of Type 1 PVC holds various uses across multiple industries such as in restrooms, shower partitions, lockers, plumbing, sewage, and much more for the properties like chemical and corrosion resistance.
On the other hand, flexible, plasticized, also known as the regular PVC, is usually softer and more amenable to bending than the rigid, which is commonly used in construction or as insulation on electrical wires or in flooring of homes, hospitals, and schools where a sterile environment is a priority.
Key Facts about Type 1 PVC
Intrinsic flame retardant: Type 1 PVC complies with fire resistance standards defined by grades that meet NFPA 286 corner burn test requirements. Because of the high chlorine content PVC have fire safety characteristics as these are self-extinguishing which is quite favorable among users.
FDA compliant as well as suitable for transparent applications.
UV protection: PVC manufacturers produce Type 1 PVC with UV stabilization that is intended for general purposes and other thermoforming activities. This makes it ideal to be used for exterior products featuring UV protection, rot, abrasion, and chemicals.
Density: PVC is very dense as compared to most plastics with good dimensional stability at room temperature.
Durability: The rigid PVC is resistant to weathering, chemical rotting, corrosion, shock, impact-resistant, and abrasion. It is therefore the preferred choice for many long-life and outdoor products.
Versatile: The physical properties of PVC allow designers a high degree of molding the design as per their needs, requirements of the product, and developing a solution where it acts as a great replacement for other materials with its properties.
Applications of PVC
The versatile material PVC offers many possible applications which include but are not limited to, window frames, drainage pipes, medical devices, cable and wire insulation, resilient flooring, water-resistant bathrooms, roofing membrane, packaging, and much more across multiple industries in both its rigid and flexible forms. In particular, the rigid PVC possesses a high density for plastic, making it extremely strong and incredibly durable. This is also readily available and economical, which is a plus point, as combined with most plastics long-lasting characteristics, makes it an easy choice for many industrial applications as follows:
- PVC in water plumbing and pipes: As mentioned in the key facts, PVC is a durable material that is resistant to weathering which is why it is often used in applications of plumbing and pipes.
- PVC in buildings and construction: Window frames, pipes, house siding, roofing, and ports, if you were to design a material that is ideal for building and construction, you would be choosing PVC to create something well-suited for these purposes. It is also resistant to chemicals and doesn't conduct electricity, making it crucial to be used in high-tech applications such as flooring, partitions, windows, and sidings.
- PVC in coating and cable insulations: With its excellent thermal and electrical resistance it is used in insulation pipes, jacketing, switches, plugs, and battery terminals in terms of conductivity. Moreover, these properties of PVC have promoted the use of vinyl as a coating to duct pipes, electrical cables, wire, and other components with the feature of modern electricity.
