Polyvinylchloride - what is it? Polyvinyl chloride production technology and field of application

If you decide to use PVC in construction or repair, it's important to know before starting work. This material refers to synthetic thermoplastic textures.

Characteristics of PVC

In the plant conditions, two types of PVC are produced, the first of which is plasticized, while the second is unplasticized. In the latter case, the plasticizer is not used. Externally, PVC has the appearance of a white powder that does not have a smell. It has high quality strength and dielectric property. If you decide to purchase PVC, what it is, you need to know. It is resistant to alkali, mineral oils, acids, and also does not dissolve in water. Dissolving and swelling is promoted by ketones, esters, as well as aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons. The material stably tolerates oxidation and almost does not burn. Polyvinyl chloride has not very impressive heat-resistant characteristics, when exposed to a temperature of 100 degrees it begins to decompose. In order to achieve heat resistance and improve solubility, PVC is exposed to chlorination.

Scope of use

Today polyvinylchloride is widely used. What is it every home professional and construction specialist should know. This material is used in medicine, replacing glass and rubber. Thus, it was possible to obtain disposable items. Thanks to chemical stability and inertia, PVC has gained a high popularity in the mentioned area. The products from it are diverse and easily produced, but are much cheaper than previously used materials.

PVC is also used in the transport industry. It is used in the manufacture of door panels, armrests, as well as in the creation of cable insulation. It is thanks to this that the car began to have a longer life span, which increased by six years compared to previous indicators. This approach has increased the safety of transport, because with the help of PVC it was possible to create airbags, as well as protective panels, which are able to protect passengers from getting injuries in case of accidents.

Repair and construction

Considering polyvinylchloride, what is it such it is possible to learn from this article. This material is used today for design purposes. This opportunity is due to the fact that modern technology allows you to create from PVC products of any shape. Thus, we managed to create interior elements. Most often this polymer can be found in construction. From it, wear-resistant, rigid, lightweight products are obtained that perfectly cope with corrosion and chemical attack. Such a high popularity in the field of construction is also due to fire safety, the material is difficult to ignite, and when the source of temperature ceases to burn and smolder. That is why similar products can be used at sites to which requirements for increased fire safety are required. The material of PVC differs durability, more than 75 percent of pipes that are made of it, show life more than 40 years.

Production technology

The production of polyvinyl chloride is carried out by the radical polymerization of raw materials, which is the role of vinyl chloride. The most widespread in the industry was a suspension method, this is due to the fact that it provides high productivity. Such polymerization is carried out according to the periodic system. Vinyl chloride, which is contained in an amount of 0.02-0.05% in an aqueous medium, is used as the main component. The prepared raw material is heated to 65 degrees, and then subjected to a similar effect to obtain a uniform product. Polymerization occurs in drops of vinyl chloride. In the end, it is possible to obtain porous microgranules. The production is fully automated, while polymerization is carried out in reactors whose volume exceeds 200 cubic meters. After completion of the polymerization, the degree of vinyl chloride, which by that time reacted, reached 90 percent. Elements that are not involved are removed, while PVC itself is sieved and dried under the influence of hot air. After that, the packaging takes place. Polyvinyl chloride, the properties of which have been described above, at the last stage is converted into viniplast or plastic.

Final products of PVC

The PVC material can be converted into a vinyl plastic. It is a hard product. Characterized by high mechanical strength, resistant to chemical attack and waterproof. Among the shortcomings can be identified low impact strength, poor frost resistance and a minor operating threshold. As for plasticizers, they are soft products that have considerable elasticity. They are also characterized by water resistance and oil resistance. They are well under the influence of various organic solvents.

Conclusion

Polyvinyl chloride, pipes from which are produced today, acts as one of the most common materials among plastics. World production accounts for about 17 percent of total plastics output, and ranks third among polymers. Products made of PVC, found their practical application in many sectors of the economy, industry, heavy engineering, medicine and agriculture. Today almost every house has plastic windows, and also products based on the material described. It is a wide circulation that points to the excellent qualitative characteristics of the material described above, which has high strength, resistance to external damages and various impacts.