Polyvinyl chloride – or PVC – is one of the most commonly-used types of plastic in the world today. Its origins trace back more than 150 years, and its been in commercial production since the 1930s. The synthetic polymer of plastic now accounts for about one-fifth of all plastic manufactured in the world.
PVC can be found in literally hundreds of products in totally disparate fields such as construction, healthcare, electronics, sports, automotive, and more. There are good reasons why PVC is so ubiquitous. Here are a few of them:
It’s Durable
PVC’s durability is one of the biggest reasons its so popular in the construction industry. Its natural resistance to weathering makes it useful when it comes to siding, windows, roofing, and other similar products. It also has tremendous impact strength, meaning it’s not prone to being damaged easily.
Insulation Capabilities
Another strength of PVC is that is does not conduct heat or electricity, making it a quality insulator. This is why it’s used so often for cabling purposes in the world of electronics. But it’s also important for many other appliances that both product both electricity and heath. PVC enhances these products by keeping consumers safe from fires and electrocutions.
Environmentally Friendly
In addition to its other positive traits, PVC also has some green attributes. It has a relatively small carbon footprint when compared to other products. PVC windows have been known to cut energy bills and, in fact, are some of the most energy efficient windows on the market. Additionally, PVC is fully recyclable that reprocesses well and can be recycled into second lives relatively easily.
To learn more about PVC or any of our other plastic materials or processes, contact Piper Plastics today!
