Department of Chemical Engineering

M.Tech Chemical Engineering

Petrochemical Technology [CH-551]

Polyvinyl Chloride
A.Vigneshwaran (14212003)

Introduction...
Polymer of Vinyl Chloride Monomer.
Third-most plastic polymer after PE & PP.
Transparent with a bluish tint.
Pure PVC is a white, brittle solid.
Insoluble in alcohol but slightly soluble in tetra-hydro furan.
Resistance to fire, water, oils and it has a low permeability to gases.

When PVC is burnt, it produces Chlorine which inhibits fire.

Not Suitable above 70C.

History...
1872 - PVC was accidentally synthesized by German chemist Eugen
Baumann. The polymer appeared as a white solid inside a flask of vinyl
chloride that had been left exposed to sunlight.
1907 - The Russian chemist Ivan Ostromislensky and Fritz Klatte of the
German chemical company Griesheim-Elektron both attempted to use PVC
in commercial product.
1926 - Waldo Semon and the B.F. Goodrich Company developed a method
to plasticize PVC by blending it with various additives.
1950's - PVC volumes increased dramatically around the world. Purest
Refinery processes.
1960s - A vinyl-based latex was formulated.
1980s Only Twenty companies were producing PVC.
Today - The third largest-selling commodity plastic in the world.

Production ...

PVC Production ...

80% - Suspension polymerization.
12% - Emulsion polymerization
8% - Bulk polymerization.

VCM and water are introduced into the reactor and a polymerization
initiator, along with other additives. The reaction vessel is pressure tight to
contain the VCM. The contents of the reaction vessel are continually mixed to
maintain the suspension and ensure a uniform particle size of the PVC resin.
The reaction is exothermic, and thus requires cooling. As the volume is reduced
during the reaction (PVC is denser than VCM), water is continually added to
the mixture to maintain the suspension. The polymerization of VCM is started
by compounds called initiators that are mixed into the droplets. These
compounds break down to start the radical chain reaction. Typical initiators
include dioctanoyl peroxide and dicetyl peroxydicarbonate, both of which have
fragile OO bonds. Some initiators start the reaction rapidly but decay quickly
and other initiators have the opposite effect. A combination of two different
initiators is often used to give a uniform rate of polymerization.

PVC Production ...

After the polymer has grown by about

10x, the short polymer precipitates inside the
droplet of VCM, and polymerization
continues with the precipitated, solventswollen particles. The weight average
molecular weights of commercial polymers
range from 100,000 to 200,000 and the
number average molecular weights range
from 45,000 to 64,000. Once the reaction has
run its course, the resulting PVC slurry is
degassed and stripped to remove excess
VCM, which is recycled. The polymer is then
passed through a centrifuge to remove water.
The slurry is further dried in a hot air bed, and
the resulting powder sieved before storage or
pelletization. Normally, the resulting PVC has
a VCM content of less than 1 part per million.

PVC Production
A typical Formulation for an S-PVC Reaction ..
De-ionized water
VCM
Protective Colloid

1000 kg
725 kg
0.725 kg

(0.1wt% based on VC)

Radical Initiator

3.6 kg

(0.5wt% based on VC)

Sodium Bicarbonate
(0.025wt% based on VC) (pH buffer)

0.19 kg

PVC Production
Animation Courtesy :
AGC Group- PT Asahimas Chemical, Indonesia.
(http://www.asc.co.id )

PVC Production ...

Mechanism of Polymerization ...

Mechanism of Polymerization ...

PVC Properties ...

PVC is a normal impact, high corrosion resistant polymer.
Because of its exceptional corrosion resistance, it is ideally suited for
applications where maximum chemical resistance is necessary.
Its high strength-to-weight ratio, cost efficiency, ease of fabrication and
economic balance make it the material of choice.
PVC conforms to ASTM D-1784-95 Class 12454-B (Formerly Type I
Grade 1) and is manufactured without the use of plasticizers or fillers.
It can be used in self-supporting construction up to 140 F (depending on
chemistry).
It exhibits excellent fire ratings (UL-94V-0) and has a flame spread under
20 per ASTM-E-84.

PVC Properties ...

Strength PVC combines tensile strength and stiffness for the toughest
applications.
Chemical Resistance PVC is resistant to most acids and alkali solutions.
Workability PVC can be machined, cut, welded and glued for fabrication
versatility.
Low Cost PVC is an economical choice for fabricating equipment, tanks,
pumps etc.
Consistency PVC is extruded through most of the available gauges for
dimensional consistency.
Flammability PVC is self-extinguishing.

References...

http://guichonvalves.com
http://pslc.ws/macrog/pvc.htm
http://wiki.zeroemissions.at/index.php?title=Polyvinyl_chloride
http://www.asc.co.id
http://www.chemicalassociates.co.uk/chemicalassociatescasestudies/theelimination
offisheyesinsuspensionpvc/
http://www.dynalabcorp.com/technical_info_pvc.asp
http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/401addpolymers.html
http://www.pvc.org/en/p/pvcsphysicalproperties
http://www.rusvinyl.ru/en/41/76
http://www.vec.gr.jp/english/library/fact/chapter1.html
Polymer Science, by V.R.Gowarikar.
www.aqualon.com
www.ausetute.com.aupvc.html
www.parsethylene-kish.com

*gk

Sprites

A Polymer by
A.Vigneshwaran (14212003)