Polyvinyl Chloride, or PVC, is one of the oldest synthetic materials and has a multitude of valuable commercial applications. Even better, PVC is cheap, durable, and easy to process. We have a lot to thank PVC for, from vinyl water pipes that supply clean, metal-free water to medical products used in the fight against infectious diseases, vinyl has improved the quality of life since it became popularized in the 1920s.
Nowadays, it’s hard to imagine what live would be like without the everyday PVC objects we take for granted. Below are just a few of the reasons PVC is here to stay:
- It’s durable
PVC is resistant to light, chemicals, corrosion, and extreme temperature ranges. Since vinyl doesn’t rot like wood, the life of construction materials has been drastically improved since the introduction of products like vinyl siding and window frames. - It’s versatile
PVC has a host of desirable properties for formulators. It can be made rigid as a water pipe or flexible as a shower curtain. The wide range of applications for vinyl is a testament to its versatility including electrical cables, construction materials, signs, clothing, furniture, healthcare, flooring, automotive, and pipes. - It’s cheap
One of the raw materials used to produce PVC is salt (sodium chloride), one of the most inexpensive and abundant compounds on earth. The other raw material is ethylene, which is derived from natural gas. While it is cheap overall, when looked at in terms of its durability its cost-performance advantages really tip the scale in its favor. - It’s 100% recyclable
PVC is a thermoplastic which can be recycled roughly seven times, giving it a lifespan of around 140 years. - It’s safe
PVC is nontoxic. It has been thoroughly researched and tested, and is deemed safe even for sensitive applications such as medical devices.