What makes vinyl such a useful polymer in building and construction ?
PVC is the most important polymer used in building and construction applications. It has been a material of choice for over 60 years because of its technical versatility, performance and cost effectiveness.
PVC makes a major contribution to the quality, safety and cost-effectiveness of construction materials, as well as helping to reduce the environmental impact of completed projects.
PVC has a versatility that helps it meet modern and future design needs. In addition to new projects, PVC is also widely used in refurbishment where it often replaces traditional materials such as clay and wood.
Excellent held in time.
The time has no effect on PVC construction materials. There is no rot, corrosion… Even on the seafront (salt, storm, sun…) PVC is the best choice.
Self-extinguishing, strong, lightweight, low natural flammability, inert, waterproof, innocuous (medical or food grade, etc).
Resistance to most chemicals. The list of chemicals to which PVC resists is very long.
Anti-mould properties: no bacteriological development on PVC.
Low maintenance. Its surface closed and fresh means that it is extremely easy to clean PVC using a mild household detergent dissolved in water. Non-porous, vinyl is virtually resistant to dirt.
Good thermal insulation. Like wood, PVC is a good insulator. Its coefficient of thermal conductivity (0.17W/ TM) is slightly lower than wood (0.23 W/ TM). The coefficient equivalent for aluminium is approximately 210 W/tm degrees.
Acoustic insulation. The PVC carpentry system and joints are developed in order for room to be protected from noise.
Can be glued. Some plastic components, such as end caps can easily be pasted on PVC.
Perfect finish.
Hidden fixings.
Controlling costs.
Recyclable.
Can it be painted ?
Yes it can be painted using a good quality primer or automobile spray paint leaves a great finish.
Is it Recyclable ?
Yes, PVC design can be recycled back into PVC design or into other vinyl products.
What colours does it come in ?
Only in white
PVC and Building Fires
Any combustible material is potentially dangerous in a building fire situation. In this respect PVC is neither better nor worse than most. The extensive use of PVC in the construction and furnishing of buildings over the last 60 years has led to a thorough assessment of its fire performance. How does it rate?
The distinguishing characteristics of rigid PVC are its low natural combustibility, the release of heavy smoke when it does burn and the irritant potential of hydrogen chloride gas:
- Although PVC will provide a source of carbon fuel to a fire once started, it has low flammability and a low rate of heat release. In particular, it will self-extinguish if the external heat or flame source is removed. This is a significant positive for fire safety.
- Burning PVC releases hydrogen chloride gas. This becomes corrosive and highly irritant when in contact with moisture. Hydrogen chloride has a very pungent odour, and is therefore quickly detected.
- The combustion of PVC releases a heavy smoke.
- The overall toxicity of emissions from PVC in a building fire is comparable to that of some hardwood timbers.
Its low flammability of PVC is very much in its favour. The heavy smoke it produces is less so. The irritant nature of hydrogen chloride gas is both an asset in signalling an emergent fire, and, due to its corrosive nature, a problem where the post-fire preservation of equipment is important. Thus, PVC products are not used in ships or aircraft, but are used very widely in general building and construction.
Rigid PVC materials such as those used for pipe, vertical blinds and siding, are recognised for their excellent fire retardant properties. The fire properties of flexible PVC products depend on the quantity and composition of plasticiser and added and the use of flame retardants.
Fire toxicity
The toxicity of building fire emissions from PVC is no worse than for many other common materials. The most important product in any fire, after heat, is carbon monoxide, which is produced by all organic materials when they burn. Heat and carbon monoxide are by far the major cause of building fire deaths.
Another dangerous gas is hydrogen cyanide produced, not from PVC, but from nitrogen-containing materials such as some natural fibres.
The two most common irritant gases produced in fires are acrolein (from both natural and synthetic materials) and hydrogen chloride, from chlorine-containing materials, including PVC. At the levels encountered in building fires, hydrogen chloride remains an irritant and is not lethal.
To our knowledge, no building fire fatality has ever been attributed to PVC by building fire authorities.
--- See document : AWTA Product Testing
Healthcare
Medical waste disposal
It is sometimes claimed that PVC is not a suitable material for medical products because the manufacturing of PVC and incineration of PVC products releases dioxin.
PVC manufacturing is not a significant source of dioxin emissions. Dioxin is a by-product of burning and is not specific to vinyl. For example, a report to Environment Australia estimates that 60-80% of dioxin emissions to air in Australia arise from agricultural burning off, residential wood combustion and bushfires. Medical incinerators, municipal waste incinerators and halogen chemical manufacture (such as PVC production) together contribute less than 1% in total.3
It has been reported that the key determinants of incinerator dioxin generation are combustion temperature and efficiency of cool-down, rather than the chlorine content of the feed.
During its transformation, in order to ensure a long life. PVC is mixed with other products to ensure, especially, good thermal stability and increased resistance to climate attack (temperatures, rains, UV ray…)
These additives of organic or mineral origins are developed under conditions that in no way affect health.
Fixed in the PVC, they won’t leach into the environment under any circumstance the influence of weather, rains or wind.
PVC is harmless.
Properties of PVC, especially health safety lead industrials use in the manufacture of the products answering the safety rules standards such as.
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Blood bags
These pockets of PVC are vital because they can store the blood for periods longer than glass bottles.
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Bottles of mineral water.
Note that thanks to plastic containers, food losses in industrialized countries are today within to 2% only.
Composed of healthy material and insoluble in water, PVC doesn’t pose any problem of pollution.