What is PVC?
Polyvinyl Chloride, more commonly known as PVC (and also known as vinyl), is a versatile thermoplastic polymer. It’s waterproof and anticorrosive, and it’s very dense when compared to other plastics, making it a strong, durable and versatile material. PVC varies in flexibility and has several degrees of hardness, measured in Shores. Working on a scale of 0 through 100, the higher the Shore, the harder the material.
What Are the Different Forms of PVC?
PVC is available in several forms, including plasticized and rigid. In its natural form, PVC is white and brittle. Plasticizers are added to improve the flexibility, rigidity and pliability.
In its plasticized form, regular PVC is softer, more flexible and more malleable than rigid PVC. It’s also more widely utilized with applications like medical gloves, furniture, swimming pools, irrigation systems, shoe soles, garden hoses, toys and many more items.
Rigid PVC is commonly used in the sewage, plumbing, construction and agriculture industries for items like window frames, water main pipes, wire and cable jacketing, decking, siding, roofing membranes and more.
Advantages of PVC
In its various forms, PVC has many advantages that make it a good choice to use across many applications.
Durability
It’s longevity for the win with PVC. Its durability means it has a long lifespan. PVC roofing and flooring can last 20 years or more, and PVC water pipes can last for 50 years or more.
Versatility
PVC material is a durable and economical choice for many plumbing needs and is adaptable for other DIY home projects. In construction and residential interior applications, it’s used as an alternative to metal piping that is easy to cut. PVC also shows up in many forms in the home. Rainboots, furniture, sports equipment and shoes are all made with PVC.
PVC moulding and PVC boards are used as wood alternatives on window frames, flooring, trim and more, and lasts much longer than wood without losing its structural integrity. Plasticized PVC’s flexibility and softness makes it easy to install. It doesn’t warp, crack, split, swell or rot, it’s resistant to insect damage and has great tensile strength.
Sustainability
PVC is an excellent choice for long-term use in residential and commercial applications. Because it requires little maintenance, PVC can last for decades. PVC is well-suited for recycling.
Resistance
In addition to being weatherproof, PVC is also resistant to corrosive inorganic chemicals, oils, acid and UV lighting. It’s also flame-retardant; if it does catch fire, it’s self-retardant and will self-distinguish the flame to keep the fire from spreading.
Cost-Effectiveness
PVC is a readily available and affordable material that has many uses. PVC’s durability, long lifespan and low maintenance and repair adds to the cost-effectiveness by reducing the long-term expenses that come with maintaining other materials, like wood.
Ease of Use
In its many uses across various applications, PVC has an advantage over other materials. In construction, it’s lightweight, malleable and easy to install. Plasticized PVC is softer and has more flexibility than rigid PVC.
Good Insulator
PVC is a choice material to use for electrical conduits as it doesn’t conduct electricity. This makes it an excellent material to use for electrical applications such as protecting wires from electrical leaking and corrosion.
Make sure you’re using electrical PVC as the conduit and not plumbing PVC to safely contain electrical wiring as the two are not interchangeable.