For more than half a century, PVC has been widely employed in manufacturing. Its popularity owes to a unique combination of durability, versatility, strength, cost-efficiency, recyclability, and many other impressive qualities!

Nonetheless, although most of us have come across the term PVC, few understand what exactly it is. Here is a better explanation of what PVC is and various PVC suspension resin uses:

What Exactly Is PVC?

PVC stands for Polyvinyl Chloride. It is a type of plastic that is among the most widely used polymers on the planet (second to only a few more widely used plastics like PP granular and PET). It’s used in healthcare, packaging, transportation, electronics and many other daily applications.

PVC is made through the electrolysis of saltwater to obtain chlorine. The chlorine is then combined with ethylene which is obtained from oil. This forms a product known as VCM or Vinyl chloride monomer. This product is then polymerized to form PVC resin which can be customized into various compounds by adding different types of additives

PVC has been in commercial production since 1933 when German inventor Friedrich Klatte received the first patent for a polymerisation process to create it. It is a noteworthy raw material thanks to qualities like:

• High Impact Strength
• High durability
• Lightweight
• Resistant to alkalis, solvents, mineral oils and many acids.
• Fire resistant because of high chlorine content
• Doesn’t conduct electricity
• Affordable
• Easy to bond, weld and fabricate

Polyvinylchloride Suspension (PVC-S)

Before we can discuss PVC suspension resin uses, we must mention that PVC suspension does not necessarily mean PVC. How so? PVC qualities are determined by the manufacturing technique, which can be divided into three categories: suspension, emulsion, and mass polymerization.

So what is PVC-S? It is produced by suspension polymerization. It’s also called suspension polyvinyl chloride resin which is the most popular type of PVC. Here are its properties:

• Good heat and light resistance.
• High purity
• Relatively narrow molecular weight distribution
• Good dielectric properties
• Low water absorption

5 Popular PVC Suspension Resin Uses

PVC resin can be made into products with a wide range of properties from soft and flexible to light and rigid. The outcome is often determined by additives like heat stabilizers, lubricants, and fillers. Here are some popular PVC suspension resin uses

Building Materials

Rigid PVC is used to make commercial and residential vinyl siding. In this light, it’s used as a substitute for metal and wood and comes in a variety of colours and finishes. It is weatherproof and durable. It is also used in other construction applications like double glazing window frames, gutters and downspouts, window sills and door frames, and many others.

Electrical Insulation

It’s used in wiring as insulation and as a fire retardant. The wires are coated with resin, and chlorine works as a free radical scavenger to insulate and prevent fire spread.

Consumer Goods

Rigid PVC-S can be used with other different plastics to tailor the appearance and feel of different products. These include everyday goods such as credit cards, luggage, clothes, garden hoses, computers, phone systems, furniture, air conditioners and others.

Pipes

For most flexible applications, it is plasticised. Following this, it is used for soft foils, cables and pipes. Close to half of available PVC-S is used to fabricate pipes because it is light, non-reactive, non-corrosive, and high strength.

Packaging

It is used as a protective film in different packaging applications. These include food and film, laminate films with polyethene, rigid blister packaging and others. It can also be made into bottles and containers by blow moulding. It’s also used to protect toiletries, soaps, food and cleaners because it is water-resistant and serves as a microbial barrier.

Wind Up

Other members of the vinyl family can be used for similar purposes, but PVC is by far the most popular. For these and other PVC suspension resin uses, click the link(https://www.chemategroup.com/pvc-resin/) to check more or contact us directly!