Report
Description
Report Description
Polyvinyl Chloride generally known as PVC is a polymer which is widely produced after
polyethylene and polypropylene. It is said to be the third largest most widely produced
polymer. PVC is preferred against traditional materials that include iron, copper or wood in a
number of profile applications due to its operational efficiencies and benefits. Pure
polyvinyl chloride is a brittle solid white in color and slightly soluble in tetrahydrofuran
whereas insoluble in alcohol. It can be made flexible and soft by adding plasticizers and
phthalates. In flexible and soft form, PVC is used in electrical cable insulation, plumbing and
inflatable products and some applications which can replace rubber. PVC has high
mechanical and hardness properties, which enhance along with molecular weight and
gradually decrease with rising or increasing temperature. PVC decomposes at high
temperature as its heat stability is very poor. It has good insulation properties but owing to
its high polar nature, its electrical insulation property is less significant to non-polymers that
include polypropylene and polyethylene.
Polyvinyl Chloride can be produced from a wide range of hydrocarbons such as derivatives
of plants including sugarcane and coal. Currently, PVC is produced from ethylene, which is a
product of oil and gas industry. It is therefore known as a petrochemical product. Polyvinyl
Chloride has a wide range of applications, which include electric cables, pipes, unplastisized
polyvinyl chloride for construction, furniture and clothing, healthcare and plasticizers
among others. It exists in a wide range of consumer products that include bottles, credit
cards, cling films and packaging among others and construction materials such as window
frames, pipes, cables, flooring and wallpaper among a range of products.