BPF - British Plastic Federation PVC - link to European Council Vinyl Manufacturers





























We are grateful to the BPF Vinyls Group for their assistance in the preparation of this materials page. For more information on the BPF Vinyls Group click here.

Polyvinyl Chloride PVC

INTRODUCTION
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a major thermoplastic material finding use in a very wide variety of applications and products.

The essential raw materials for PVC are derived from salt and oil. The electrolysis of salt water produces chlorine, which is combined with ethylene, obtained from oil, to form vinyl chloride monomer (VCM). Molecules of VCM are polymerised to form PVC resin, to which appropriate additives are incorporated to make a customised PVC compound


GRADES AVAILABLE
A wide variety of grades of PVC are available, suitable for:
  • blow moulding
  • calendering
  • cast or blown film
  • coating
  • extrusion
  • injection moulding
  • rotational moulding
  • thermoforming
  • slush moulding


PROPERTIES
PVC's major benefit is its compatibility with many different kinds of additives, making it a highly versatile polymer. PVC can be plasticised to make it flexible for use in flooring and medical products. Rigid PVC, also known as PVC-U (The U stands for "unplasticised") is used extensively in building applications such as window frames.

Its compatibility with additives allows for the possible addition of flame retardants although PVC is intrinsically fire retardant because of the presence of chlorine in the polymer matrix.

PVC has excellent electrical insulation properties, making it ideal for cabling applications. Its good impact strength and weatherproof attributes make it ideal for construction products.

PVC can be clear or coloured, rigid or flexible, formulation of the compound is key to PVC's "added value".


 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Tensile Strength 2.60 N/mm²
Notched Impact Strength 2.0 - 45 Kj/m²
Thermal Coefficient of expansion 80 x 10-6
Max Cont Use Temp 60 oC
Density 1.38 g/cm3
 
 RESISTANCE TO CHEMICALS
Dilute Acid ****
Dilute Alkalis ****
Oils and Greases *** variable
Aliphatic Hydrocarbons ****
Aromatic Hydrocarbons *
Halogenated Hydrocarbons ** variable
Alcohols *** variable

 KEY
* poor ** moderate *** good **** very good




APPLICATIONS
Window frames, drainage pipe, water service pipe, medical devices, blood storage bags, cable and wire insulation, resilient flooring, roofing membranes, stationary, automotive interiors and seat coverings, fashion and footwear, packaging, cling film, credit cards, synthetic leather and other coated fabrics.


Construction
PVC has been used extensively in a wide range of construction products for over half a century. PVC's strong, lightweight, durable and versatile characteristics make it ideal for window profiles. PVC's inherent flame retardant and excellent electrical insulation properties make it ideal for cabling applications.
Typical example of PVC construction products include:
  • Window and door profiles
  • Architectual glazing systems
  • Pipes and fittings
  • Power, data and telecoms wiring and cables
  • Cable and services ducting
  • Internal and external cladding
  • Conservatories and atria
  • Roofing and ceiling systems and membranes
  • Rainwater, soil and waste systems
  • Flooring
  • Wallcoverings


Healthcare
PVC has been used for hundreds of life-saving and healthcare products for almost 50 years being used in surgery, pharmaceuticals, drug delivery and medical packaging.
Typical examples of PVC healthcare products include:
  • "Artificial skin" in emergency burns treatment
  • Blood and plasma transfusion sets
  • Blood vessels for artificial kidneys
  • Catheters and cannulae
  • Blood bags
  • Containers for intravenous solution giving sets
  • Container for urine continence and ostomy products
  • Fluid Bags
  • Drip chamber components
  • Endotracheal tubing
  • Feeding and pressure monitoring tubing
  • Heart and lung bypass sets
  • Inflatable splints
  • Inhalation masks
  • Surgical and examination gloves
  • Shatter-proof bottles and jars
  • Overshoes
  • Protective sheeting and tailored covers
  • Mattress and bedding covers
  • Wall and floor coverings
  • Blister and dosage packs for pharmaceuticals and medicines
  • Power, data and telecoms cables
  • Piping delivery systems
  • Drainage channels
  • Ducting
  • Anti-bump protection bars


Automotive
PVC brings both high performance qualities and important cost benefits to the automotive industry. Independent research by Mavel Consultants has shown that the typical cost of using alternative materials is in a range 20-100% higher per component.
Typical examples of PVC automotive components include:
  • Instrument panels and associated mouldings
  • Interior Door Panels and Pockets
  • Sun Visors
  • Seat Coverings
  • Security Covers
  • Headlining
  • Body Seam Sealing
  • Seals
  • Mud Flaps
  • Underbody Coating
  • Floor Coverings
  • Exterior Side Moulding and Protective Strips
  • Anti-Stone Damage Protection
  • Auto Harness Wiring
 
CURRENT CASE STUDIES
  
 
Flexible PVC
  Flexible PVC is used to make blood storage bags, and in fact is the only material approved by the European Pharmacopoeia for this purpose. The nature of the material means that blood can be stored for longer, safely in a lightweight bag.  
 
 
Windows
  PVC in window frames. Unplasticised PVC is one of the stiffest polymers at normal ambient temperature and shows little deterioration after many years in service.

PVC is versitile and can be used for different colours and effects. This example shows it being used as an alternative to traditional wood frames.		  
 
 
Packaging
  PVC is used extensively in sandwich box packaging, with excellent barrier properties, the food is preserved and packed efficiently, protecting the product from damage and reducing wastage.  
 
 
Car Dashboards
  PVC moulded instrument panels for cars are both a cost-effective and attractive solution offering strength, durability, inherent flame retardation, as well as exciting design opportunities

  
 
 
Cable Insulation
  PVC was first used as cable insulation as a replacement for rubber during the Second World War, but has now become the superior material through its flexibility, ease of handling in installation and inherent flame retardation. PVC cables do not harden and crack over time and find use in many applications from telecommunications to electric blankets.

  
 
 
Plastisols
  PVC plastisols have made a tremendous impact on the toy market, offering a wide range of colours, flexibility and a high level of safety at a cost-effective level.  
 
 
Guttering
  PVC pipes offer ease of handling and transportation for both extruded guttering and down-pipe as well as injection moulded fittings. PVC is an alternative to HDPE for water, gas and land drainage pipe.

  
 
 
Vinyl Records
  PVC is used to make vinyl records. Whilst the CD format takes the lion share of the home music market, the vinyl record remains popular with DJs and the dance music culture where sampling and mixing music is traditionally achieved using vinyl, as well as enthusiasts of vinyl who prefer the format.  
 
 
Seminars
  The BPF Vinyls Group organises various conferences and seminars to help communicate ideas and developments throughout the industry and beyond.  
 
 
Vinyls Group
  The BPF Vinyls Group represents the UK PVC industry to government, customers and media in the UK and Brussels. PVC faces specific issues in the market place and so representatives from forward-thinking PVC producers, converters, additives suppliers and recyclers finance this Group in a focussed programme of activity.

To find out more about the BPF Vinyls Group, click here. 		 
 
 
IOM3 PVC Conf
  The BPF Vinyls Group are actively involved in the IOM3 PVC tri-annual conferences held in Brighton, both as a sponsor, and as active members of the Organising Committee.  
 
 
Information
  The BPF Vinyls Group disseminates relevant communications resources and takes queries from customers, specifiers, decision-makers and opinion formers at exhibitions, including Interplas  
 
 
Vinyl 2010
  The BPF Vinyls Group is the UK platform for the implementation of the Vinyl 2010 Voluntary Commitment of the European PVC Industry in the UK.  This forms part of PVC's environmental credentials.  
 
 


Vinyls Group sponsors are:

 
 
 
 


 
BIPEA  

COVA PRODUCTS



 
 

    Vinyls UK

formerly known as EVC (UK)
  UKRFA 
 Hepworth Building Products  
 


We are grateful to the BPF Vinyls Group for their assistance in the preparation of this materials page. For more information on the BPF Vinyls Group click here.
View printer friendly version of this page