Polyvinyl chloride, commonly known as PVC, is a vinyl polymer and an amorphous material. In practical applications, PVC is often compounded with plasticizers, stabilizers, fillers, and other additives to enhance its properties, forming PVC plastic, which is then processed into various products. It exhibits key characteristics including flame retardancy, high strength, resistance to weather variations, and excellent dimensional stability. PVC demonstrates strong resistance to oxidizers, reducing agents, and strong acids. It is important to note that PVC is not suitable for food packaging.

In its pure form, PVC appears as a slightly yellow, translucent material with a glossy surface and no waxy feel. It often emits a distinctive odor and sinks in water. Its transparency is superior to polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) but inferior to polystyrene (PS). Depending on the additive content, PVC is categorized into flexible and rigid types. Flexible PVC products are soft and tough with a sticky feel, while rigid ones are hard and smooth, producing a dull sound when struck. The hardness of rigid PVC exceeds that of low-density polyethylene but is lower than polypropylene, and it exhibits whitening at flexed areas.

```po msgid "PVC has poor combustion properties, self-extinguishing upon removal from a flame. The flame appears yellow with a green base, accompanied by white smoke and emission of pungent hydrogen chloride gas. It is classified as a flame-retardant plastic. Softening occurs during combustion." msgstr "PVC具有较差的燃烧性能，移开火焰后会自熄。火焰呈黄色，底部带有绿色，伴随有白色烟雾和刺鼻的氯化氢气体排放。它被归类为阻燃塑料。燃烧过程中会发生软化。" ```

PVC est résistant à l'eau, aux alcools concentrés, aux acides non oxydants, aux alcanes, aux huiles et à l'ozone. Cependant, il est corrodé par des acides oxydants comme l'acide sulfurique, l'acide nitrique et l'acide chromique.

PVC具有较差的热稳定性。纯PVC树脂在140°C时开始分解，在180°C时迅速加速。考虑到其熔点约为160°C，通过热塑性方法加工纯PVC树脂是具有挑战性的。即使是高纯度的PVC树脂，在长时间暴露于超过100°C的温度或紫外线辐射下时，也会开始释放氯化氢（HCl）气体。

PVC plástico, disponible en varias formas, puede ser procesado utilizando numerosos métodos como moldeo por compresión, extrusión, moldeo por inyección y recubrimiento. Se utiliza ampliamente para fabricar películas, cuero sintético, aislamiento de cables y alambres, productos rígidos, láminas, paneles, muebles y artículos deportivos.