PlasticsPolyvinyl chloride (PVC)
Description:
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is an amorphous, thermoplastic.
History:
In 1835, the French chemist Henri Victor Regnault produced polyvinyl chloride for the first time in the Justus von Liebig laboratory in Giessen. However, he was hardly aware of the significance of his discovery. It was only due to the shortage of raw materials during the First World War that efforts were increased to use PVC as a raw material to replace expensive raw materials. However, further applications did not emerge until the end of 1920.
Structure and properties:
Polyvinyl chloride is formed by radical or ionic polymerization from the monomer vinyl chloride.
- Good machining possible with hard PVC
- Low water absorption
- Resistant to most acids and alkalis
- Unlike other engineering plastics, flame retardant
- Good insulation properties
Areas of application:
window profiles, advertising, swing doors, floor coverings, pipes, roofing membranes, electrical industry, laboratory construction, chemical equipment construction, covers
