PVC has an extremely durable nature and lightweight , making it an attractive material for construction, plumbing, and other industrial applications. Additionally, its high chlorine content makes the material fire-resistant, another reason why it has gained such popularity across various industries.
Why is PVC used so much?
PVC's characteristics of durability and resistance to corrosion make it very suitable for above and below ground piping; its near-ubiquity as a window frame material is well known, even notorious, and, with the addition of plasticisers, PVC-based floor coverings have effectively marginalized the once dominant linoleum ...
What is PVC most commonly used for?
Economical, versatile polyvinyl chloride (PVC, or vinyl) is used in a variety of applications in the building and construction, health care, electronics, automobile and other sectors , in products ranging from piping and siding, blood bags and tubing, to wire and cable insulation, windshield system components and more.
Is PVC better than plastic?
As far as its electrical properties, PVC has good insulation, but, because it has polar elements to its composition, it has worse insulation than other plastics , such as polyethylene and polypropylene. PVC is extremely chemical-resistant, able to withstand acids, salts, bases, fats, and alcohols.
Why PVC pipes are preferred nowadays?
PVC pipes have clear environmental advantages over traditional materials. As PVC is a low carbon plastic, PVC pipes require less energy and fewer resources to manufacture . Due to their low weight, less energy is used when transported. PVC pipes last long with a minimum of maintenance and they are easily recyclable.
Is it safe to touch PVC?
PVC contains dangerous chemical additives including phthalates, lead, cadmium, and/or organotins, which can be toxic to your child's health. These toxic additives can leach out or evaporate into the air over time, posing unnecessary dangers to children.
What are the disadvantages of PVC?
- Polyvinyl Chloride has very poor heat stability. For this reason, additives that stabilize the material at higher temperatures are typically added to the material during production.
- Polyvinyl Chloride emits toxic fumes when melted or subject to a fire.
Does PVC shrink when heated?
Like all materials, PVC expands with increasing temperatures and contracts with decreasing temperatures . Because the length-to-diameter ratios of PVC pipe and conduit products are generally very large, length change from temperature variation is the most noticeable.
What are the pros and cons of PVC?
- Usability. PVC is durable in addition to usable for a variety of purposes. ...
- Corrosion Resistance. ...
- Variety Of Use. ...
- Insulation. ...
- Heat Limits. ...
- Cost. ...
- Gross Weight.
What is the raw material of PVC?
The essential raw materials for PVC are derived from salt and oil . The electrolysis of salt water produces chlorine, which is combined with ethylene (obtained from oil) to form vinyl chloride monomer (VCM).
What does PVC U stand for?
PVCu stands for Poly Vinyl Chloride un-plasticised and UPVC stands for the same but in a different order. Poly Vinyl Chloride is a lightweight but still robust kind of plastic used in a lot of different kinds of consumer goods.
Is PVC safe for drinking water?
Unfortunately, most PVC is not rated for use for drinking water , not due to a high risk of toxicity, but due to the fact that it can degrade with high temperatures, UV light exposure and extremely high pressures. Any degradation can damage the water supply and make it unsafe for drinking water.
Does PVC absorb water?
Moisture can be absorbed from the air by PVC plastisols and by the fused product. ... Water absorbed by thermoformable foam PVC sheets can result in defects in the molded product, often appearing as wrinkles.
How long does PVC pipe last?
Dig-up test results in the U.S. and around the world indicate that PVC pipe can be expected to provide reliable service in excess of 100 years . PVC pipes offer a high degree of resilience in freezing conditions and after 25 years meet virtually all new pipe requirements. The average water main is failing at 47 years.
Are PVC pipes good?
Polyvinyl Chloride Pipes (PVC) pipes won't rust, corrode, or degrade over time, are excellent for sink, toilet, and bathtub drain lines or vent stacks , can readily handle high water pressure, and are inexpensive and easy to work with. Their biggest drawback is that they can only be used for cold water.
Is Cast Iron Pipe better than PVC?
Durability: Cast iron often lasts significantly longer than PVC piping when utilized in drainage systems. Cast iron piping can last several decades, if not for a century. ... PVC has a lower temperature limit and higher expansion rate.
