What is Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), and What is it Used For?
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is one of the most commonly used thermoplastic polymers worldwide (next to only a few more widely used plastics like PET and P.P.). It is naturally white and very brittle (before the additions of plasticizers) plastic. PVC has been around longer than most plastics, first synthesized in 1872 and commercially produced by B.F. Goodrich Company in the 1920s. By comparison, many other common plastics were first synthesized and commercially viable only in the 1940s and 1950s. It is used most commonly in the construction industry and is also used for signs, healthcare applications, and fiber for clothing. PVC was accidentally discovered twice, once in 1832 by French chemist Henri Victor Regnault, and then rediscovered in 1872 by a German man named Eugene Baumann.
Why is Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) used so often?
PVC offers a wide variety of applications and advantages across multiple industries in both its rigid and flexible forms. In particular, Rigid PVC possesses a high density for plastic, making it extremely hard and generally incredibly strong. It is also readily available and economical, which, combined with most plastics’ long-lasting characteristics, makes it an easy choice for many industrial applications like construction.
PVC has an extremely durable nature and lightweight, making it an attractive material for construction, plumbing, and other industrial applications. Additionally, its high chlorine content makes the material fire-resistant, another reason why it has gained such popularity across various industries.
What are the Advantages of Polyvinyl Chloride?
PVC provides industries with a series of critical advantages that have cemented its place as one of the most popular and widely used plastics on the market. These advantages include:
Polyvinyl Chloride is readily available and relatively inexpensive.
Polyvinyl Chloride is very dense and thus very hard and resists impact deformation very well relative to other plastics.
Polyvinyl Chloride has outstanding tensile strength.
Polyvinyl Chloride is very resistant to chemicals and alkalis.
PVC’s advantages helped solidify its place as one of the most used plastics around the world. However, even though it’s widely effective and popular, you have to consider some factors when using the material.
Source: https://www.creativemechanisms.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-pvc-plastic
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