Basic Composition
PVC Resin: 40%~70%
Plasticizer: 10%~50% (used to adjust flexibility)
Stabilizer: 1%~10% (improves heat and light resistance)
Filler: 1%~30% (enhances mechanical properties or reduces cost)
Colorant: 1%~10% (provides color)
Physical and Chemical Properties
Appearance: Slightly yellow, translucent, glossy
Thickness Range: Usually 0.08~0.2 mm; thicker than 0.25 mm is called PVC sheet
Transparency: Better than polyethylene and polypropylene, but worse than polystyrene
Chemical Resistance
Resistant to water, oil, and various acids and alkalis (such as caustic soda below 20%, sulfuric acid 90%)
Insoluble in water, alcohol, and gasoline, but soluble in ketones, esters, chlorinated hydrocarbons, and other organic solvents
Mechanical Properties
Rigid PVC has a higher hardness than low-density polyethylene, but lower than polypropylene
Flexible PVC is pliable and tacky to the touch, but long-term use can cause brittleness due to plasticizer migration
Thermal Stability: Softening temperature around 85°C, starts decomposing at 170°C; stabilizers are needed to prevent thermal degradation