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.

PVC inezinhle kakhulu, iyazishisa uma isuswa emlilweni. Umlilo ubonakala uphumelele ophuzi onezimpande eziluhlaza, uhambisana nomsi omhlophe nokukhishwa kwegesi ye-hydrogen chloride enobungozi. Iklasifikiwe njengepulasitiki evikela umlilo. Ukuthambekela kwenzeka ngesikhathi sokushiswa.

PVC iyavuma emanzini, ama-alkali agxile, ama-asidi angawenzi umphumela, ama-alkane, amafutha, kanye ne-ozone. Nokho, iyabola ngama-asidi agxile njenge-asidi ye-sulfuric, i-asidi ye-nitric, kanye ne-asidi ye-chromic.

PVC inezinokuthola ukungabi nekhono lokushisa. I-PVC resin ehlanzekile iqala ukuhamba phambili ku-140°C, ngokushesha okukhulu ku-180°C. Njengoba iphuzu lokuncibilika liseduze kuka-160°C, ukucubungula i-PVC resin ehlanzekile ngezindlela ze-thermoplastic kunzima. Ngisho ne-PVC resin ephezulu kakhulu iqala ukukhulula i-hydrogen chloride (HCl) igesi uma ibhekene nezinga lokushisa elingaphezu kuka-100°C isikhathi eside noma ngaphansi kokukhanya kwe-ultraviolet.

PVC plastic, available in various forms, can be processed using numerous methods such as compression molding, extrusion, injection molding, and coating. It is widely used to manufacture films, synthetic leather, wire and cable insulation, rigid products, sheets, panels, furniture, and sporting goods.