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Material polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
PVC is an inexpensive, versatile material that can be processed into high-quality hoses and connections.
General information on PVC
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC for short) is a thermoplastic polymer that is produced by chain polymerisation from the monomer vinyl chloride. PVC is the third most important polymer for plastics after polyethylene and polypropylene.
PVC is traded as soft and hard PVC. Soft PVC contains up to 40 per cent plasticiser and is therefore elastic, flexible and malleable. Phthalic acid esters are mainly used as plasticisers. Chlorinated paraffins, adipic acid esters and phosphoric acid esters are less important.
PVC has been produced industrially since the mid-1930s. Initially, however, only the hard version was used. The first applications included plastic pipes - for water and waste water, for example. Before the material could be moulded into pipes, it had to be heated to temperatures of 160 degrees Celsius.
The properties of PVC
PVC is one of the amorphous plastics. Nevertheless, this material is characterised by excellent media resistance. Hoses made of soft PVC are suitable for almost any environment and for almost any application - with the exception of applications where solvents (aromatics, esters, ketones, CHCs) are used.
PVC is an inexpensive, versatile material. However, the temperature resistance and abrasion resistance of PVC are significantly lower than those of polyurethane. In addition, the material can become brittle over time due to migrating plasticisers, which can lead to premature failure of the hose.
The properties of PVC hoses from Masterflex
PVC is one of the amorphous plastics. Nevertheless, this material is characterised by excellent media resistance. For this reason, PVC hoses are often used for applications with problematic media or environments. Only a number of solvents (aromatics, esters, ketones, CHCs) attack it.
PVC is an inexpensive, versatile material, but it has the following disadvantages: the temperature resistance and abrasion resistance of PVC are significantly lower than those of PU. In addition, the migration of plasticisers in flexible hoses causes the material to slowly become brittle, which can lead to premature failure.
Note: In the event of fire, PVC can form toxic vapours and dioxins containing hydrochloric acid, which can cause considerable health hazards, including death, and can also destroy electronic systems due to their corrosive effect.
