Properties and Uses of Polyvinyl Chloride

Two types of the homopolymer are available, the flexible and the rigid. Both types have excellent chemical and abrasion resistance. The flexible types are produced with high porosity to permit plasticizer absorption. Articles made from the rigid type are hard and cannot be stretched more than 40% of their original length. An important property of PVC is that it is self-extinguishing due to presence of the chlorine atom.

Flexible PVC grades account for approximately 50% of PVC production. They go into such items as tablecloths, shower curtains, furniture, automobile upholstery, and wire and cable insulation.

Many additives are used with PVC polymers such as plasticizers, antioxidants, and impact modifiers. Heat stabilizers, which are particularly important with PVC resins, extend the useful life of the finished product. Plastic additives have been reviewed by Ainsworth. Rigid PVC is used in many items such as pipes, fittings roofing, automobile parts, siding, and bottles. The 1997 U.S. production of PVC and its copolymers was approximately 14 billion pounds.