In the 21st century, Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) has become an indispensable material in various fields, from construction to healthcare and manufacturing industries. Its diversity and flexibility have opened the curtain for diverse applications.
However, along with its considerable benefits, PVC resin also has limitations and issues that need to be carefully considered. Let’s take a closer look at this material in this blog post with TLD Vietnam.
The Basic Overview Of PVC Resin ?
PVC is an acronym for polyvinyl chloride. A resin is a material often used in the production of plastics and rubbers. PVC resin is a white powder commonly used to produce thermoplastics.
Other members of the vinyl family can be used for similar applications, but PVC tends to be the most popular member of that family. It is believed to be superior to other options because it can be produced in numerous forms and used to create a wide array of items for many industries. Products made with PVC resin include blood bags, windows and pipes.
PVC resin alone is a raw material. It can be made into products with a wide range of properties. Other ingredients must typically be added to convert this resin into a finished product. These can include heat stabilizers, lubricants and fillers. One of the most common types of additives to be blended with PVC is plasticizers, such asbutyl glycolate, epoxy resins and dialkyl azelates.
Read more: PET resin
The Main Characteristic
PVC resin generally has a high level of chemical resistance. PVC is also resistant to water and abrasion. This material is very popular in the construction industry.
It can be used to produce many items needed in the building process. Those items are often lightweight and long lasting.
One weakness of PVC resin is ultraviolet exposure. However, the negative effects can often be reduced by additives such as plasticizers.
How PVC Are Manufactured?
Production of PVC resin generally relies heavily on the use of chlorine and crude oil. There are 3 manufacturing processes commonly used in its production. They are suspension polymerization, precipitation polymerization and emulsion polymerization.
Suspension polymerization
Vinyl chloride monomer and water are mixed and heated for polymerization. After the reaction, a slurry of PVC resin dispersed in water is obtained.
After removing the remaining monomer, the PVC powder is obtained by dehydration and drying.
Precipitation polymerization
This is a method in which polymerization is carried out in a solvent where the vinyl chloride monomer is dissolved. When the vinyl chloride monomer, initiator and solvent are mixed and polymerized at a low temperature, PVC precipitates. This mixture is filtered to obtain a low-polymerization PVC powder.
Emulsion polymerization
This is a method of polymerization in which vinyl chloride monomers, surfactants, water, and a water-soluble initiator are mixed. The monomer is emulsified in water and polymerized in the emulsion droplets.
To recover the polymer after polymerization, the emulsifying and dispersing effect of the surfactant is eliminated by the addition of salt or acid, and the polymer is agglomerated, followed by dehydration and drying to obtain PVC powder.
The Pros And Cons
PVC resin is a material with many advantages and wide-ranging applications in various fields, including construction, healthcare and industry. Several advantages are listed below:
Versatile applications: PVC can be manufactured into various forms, from flexible to rigid. This versatility allows it to be used for multiple purposes such as pipes, windows, insulation materials, toys, and many consumer products.
Chemical resistance: PVC has good chemical resistance, making it suitable for use in environments with exposure to chemicals.
Strength and hardness: PVC has high strength and hardness, making it resistant to pressure and abrasion in construction and industrial applications.
Heat resistance and waterproofing: PVC typically has good heat resistance and is unaffected by water, making it ideal for applications in damp.
Ease of processing: PVC is easily processed and can be manufactured into various shapes and sizes.
Low cost: Compared to some other materials, PVC is cost-effective, making it an economical choice for many applications.
Although the advantages of PVC resin is undeniable, it is not without any drawbacks. Compared to resins such as polyethylene, it is inferior in impact resistance. It is brittle and cracks easily, especially at low temperatures.
When soft PVC products are used for a long period of time, the additives inside may ooze or volatilize on the surface.
Applications Of PVC Resin
With the remarkable feature, PVC resin is indispensable in modern industry. Below is some detailed information about common applications and how it is applied in various fields.
Building structures
PVC resin is an essential part of construction and building industry. PVC profiles and fittings are commonly used for doors, windows, and building exteriors. Their weather resistance and low maintenance requirements make them a top choice for architects.
Read more: The Significant Impact Of PVC Resin In Construction
Automotive advances
In the automotive industry, PVC resin contributes to the safety and performance of products. From wiring harnesses and cable insulation to gaskets and seals, PVC materials play an essential role in the operation of automobiles. Additionally, PVC-based coatings can enhance the durability and aesthetic appeal of vehicle interiors.
Wire and Cable
PVC resin is widely used in the manufacture of electric wires and cables. Depending on the type of additive used, power cables are classified into cables that use at 70 degrees C, 90 degrees C and 105 degrees C.
Everyday packaging
PVC resin’s transparent and lightweight nature is ideal for packaging applications. It is used in blister packaging, shrink-wrap films. PVC packaging keeps our products safe, secure and visually appealing.
Healthcare sector
PVC resin is indispensable in the healthcare sector for medical devices, packaging, tubing and IV bags, owing to its biocompatibility and sterilizability.
Is PVC Harmful To Humans?
PVC is made of carbon, hydrogen and chlorine, sources of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) and phthalates, which are considered carcinogenic materials. Despite the fact that PVC is a very important plastic polymer, itt needs to be taken into consideration PVC’s possible harmful effects.
If it’s heated (or consumed a small amount of UV (ultraviolet) from the Sun), it releases toxic gases like dioxin or HCI.
In addition, it could be very dangerous on children’s health, as it’s commonly used in some school supplies. Therefore, it’s recommended to avoid any products made of PVC to be in direct contact with children. It also can be very harmful to humans because of the toxic exposures from gases that come out from PVC if heated.
One more important thing is, PVC can be degraded due to high temperatures and extremely high pressures, which can pose a high risk of toxicity.
Conclusion
PVC resin is the main material of many plastic products in daily life. However, its use and production also pose challenges to the environment and human health. To tackle these issues, the plastic industry needs to take effective measures to preserve the environment and public health.
