PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is a versatile thermoplastic material produced through the polymerization of ethylene and salt with vinyl chloride. It is synthesized through suspension polymerization where vinyl chloride monomer droplets are formed and polymerized in a reactor at 400-600°C. This produces PVC particles suspended in water that are then processed into a white powder. PVC has a wide range of applications, including use in construction materials, healthcare products like blood bags, electronic cables, automotive components, and sports equipment, due to its weather resistance, versatility between rigid and flexible forms, fire resistance, longevity, energy recovery potential, and recyclability.
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Pvc
1. PVC
What is PVC?
PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride) is a versatile thermoplastic
material obtained from ethylene and salt by vinyl
chloride polymerisation
It is the best explored materials in the world due to
serious scientific researches carried in order to
disprove accusations
2. Synthesis of PVC
Suspension polymerisation:
First the raw material VCM is pressurized and
liquified and then fed into the polymerisation reactor
which contains water and suspending agents
Through high speed agitation within the reactor
small droplets of VCM are obtained
Next the initiator is fed into the reactor
3.
4. PVC is produced by reaction under a few bar at
40⁰ C – 60⁰ C
PVC obtained through suspension polymerisation is
suspended in water as particles of 50 – 200 µm
Therefore the slurry discharged from the
polymerisation reactor is stripped of residual
monomer, dehydrated and the particle size is
controlled by screening to yield PVC in the form of
white powder
5. Applications of PVC
Construction windows :
PVC has been used as construction product for half a
century
Unplasticized PVC is one of the stiffest polymers at
normal temperature and shows little deterioration
after many years in service
6.
7. Health Care – Blood Bags:
Flexible PVC is used to make storage bags and in fact
the only material approved by the European
pharmacopoeia
The other health care products of PVC are
i)Artificial skin
ii)Blood transfusion sets
iii) Blood vessels for artificial kidneys
8.
9. Electronic Cables:
PVC was first used as cable insulation as a
replacement for rubber during second world war
PVC cables do not harden and crack over time and
find use in many application from tele
communications to electric blankets
These cables are recyclable by recovinyl
10.
11. Automotives – Cars:
PVC brings both high performance qualities and
important cost benefits to the automotive industry
Instrument panels, seat coverings, head lining,
protective strips, floor coverings and anti stone
damage protection are things done by using PVC
12.
13. Sports:
PVC fabric has been used to create new sporting
venues in London alone
PVC products applications performed well in making
sports surfaces, sports equipment and clothing
i) Protective barriers
ii) Matting and wiring
14.
15. Properties
i) Weathering stability:
PVC is resistive to aggressive environmental factors
is therefore the material of choice for roofing
ii) Versatility:
PVC can be flexible and rigid
iii) Fire Protection:
PVC is a material resistant to ignition due to its
chlorine content
16. iv) Longevity:
PVC products can last upto 100 years and even more
v) Energy Recovery:
PVC has high thermal power
When utilized in incinerators PVC provides power
and heat for home and industry
vi) Barrier Properties:
PVC can be made impervious to liquids and vapours
17. vii) Recyclability:
PVC is recyclable more than other plastics
viii) Economical Efficiency:
PVC is the cheapest of the large tonnage polymers
providing many products with the best quality price
ratio