Polyvinyl Chloride

(C₂H₃Cl)ₙ

IUPAC: Poly(1-chloroethylene)

CAS: 9002-86-2

Overview

Polyvinyl chloride is the third most widely produced plastic polymer. It is inherently rigid and flame-resistant but can be made flexible with the addition of plasticizers. It is widely used in construction for pipes, window frames, and flooring.

Composition

Element Symbol Atoms Atomic Mass
Hydrogen H 3 1.0080
Carbon C 2 12.0110
Chlorine Cl 1 35.4500

Elemental Composition

H
Hydrogen ×3
4.8%
C
Carbon ×2
38.4%
Cl
Chlorine ×1
56.7%

Uses

  • • Plumbing pipes and fittings
  • • Window frames and siding
  • • Vinyl flooring
  • • Electrical cable insulation

Fun Facts

  • ✦ About 40% of PVC production is used in pipe manufacturing worldwide

Safety

  • ⚠ Releases toxic HCl and dioxins when burned
  • ⚠ Phthalate plasticizers are endocrine disruptors
  • ⚠ Vinyl chloride monomer is carcinogenic

Properties

Type
polymer
State
solid
Molar Mass
62.50 g/mol
Density
1.4000 g/cm³
Melting Point
212.0 °C
Solubility
insoluble

Also Known As

PVC Vinyl

Related Compounds

Cellulose

(C₆H₁₀O₅)ₙ

Epoxy Resin DGEBA

C₂₁H₂₄O₄

Kevlar

(C₁₄H₁₀N₂O₂)ₙ

Nomex

(C₁₄H₁₀N₂O₂)ₙ

Nylon-6,6

(C₁₂H₂₂N₂O₂)ₙ

Phenol-Formaldehyde Resin

(C₇H₆O₂)ₙ

Polyacrylonitrile

(C₃H₃N)ₙ

Polycarbonate

(C₁₆H₁₄O₃)ₙ

Polyethylene

(C₂H₄)ₙ

Polyethylene Terephthalate

(C₁₀H₈O₄)ₙ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Polyvinyl Chloride?
Polyvinyl Chloride ((C₂H₃Cl)ₙ) is a polymer compound with the IUPAC name Poly(1-chloroethylene).
What is the molecular weight of Polyvinyl Chloride?
Polyvinyl Chloride has a molar mass of 62.498 g/mol.
What state is Polyvinyl Chloride at room temperature?
Polyvinyl Chloride is a solid at room temperature.
Is Polyvinyl Chloride organic or inorganic?
Polyvinyl Chloride is classified as an inorganic compound.
What elements make up Polyvinyl Chloride?
Polyvinyl Chloride ((C₂H₃Cl)ₙ) is composed of Hydrogen (H), Carbon (C), Chlorine (Cl).