PVC-P: Polyvinylchloride (with plasticizer)

General Properties

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PVC-P

Polyvinylchloride (with plasticizer)


PVC-P or soft PVC refers to PVC with plasticizer molecules embedded between the polymer chains with plasticizer contents of 20 to 50%. The letter P stands for plasticized. The toughness and flexibility of PVC-P varies with the kind of plasticizer. Plasticizer migration out of PVC-P after aging can result in fogging or embrittlement of the polymer. Therefore, in modern applications, polymeric plasticizers, which show a slight tendency to migrate, are increasingly used. During processing, it is important not to exceed the Decomposition reactionA decomposition reaction is a thermally induced reaction of a chemical compound forming solid and/or gaseous products. decomposition temperature of the material to avoid HCl formation.

Structural Formula


Properties

Glass Transition TemperatureThe glass transition is one of the most important properties of amorphous and semi-crystalline materials, e.g., inorganic glasses, amorphous metals, polymers, pharmaceuticals and food ingredients, etc., and describes the temperature region where the mechanical properties of the materials change from hard and brittle to more soft, deformable or rubbery.Glass Transition Temperature-50 to 80°C
Melting Temperatures and EnthalpiesThe enthalpy of fusion of a substance, also known as latent heat, is a measure of the energy input, typically heat, which is necessary to convert a substance from solid to liquid state. The melting point of a substance is the temperature at which it changes state from solid (crystalline) to liquid (isotropic melt).Melting Temperature-
Melting Temperatures and EnthalpiesThe enthalpy of fusion of a substance, also known as latent heat, is a measure of the energy input, typically heat, which is necessary to convert a substance from solid to liquid state. The melting point of a substance is the temperature at which it changes state from solid (crystalline) to liquid (isotropic melt).Melting Enthalpy-
Decomposition reactionA decomposition reaction is a thermally induced reaction of a chemical compound forming solid and/or gaseous products. Decomposition Temperature290 to 315 / 460 to 475°C
Young's Modulus25 to 1600 MPa
Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion (CLTE/CTE) The coefficient of linear thermal expansion (CLTE) describes the length change of a material as a function of the temperature.Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion 60 to 120 *10-6/K
Specific Heat Capacity0.8 to 0.9 J/(g*K)
Thermal ConductivityThermal conductivity (λ with the unit W/(m•K)) describes the transport of energy – in the form of heat – through a body of mass as the result of a temperature gradient (see fig. 1). According to the second law of thermodynamics, heat always flows in the direction of the lower temperature.Thermal Conductivity0.13 to 0.200.14 to 0.18 W/(m*K)
DensityThe mass density is defined as the ratio between mass and volume. Density1.16 to 1.35 g/cm³
MorphologyAmorphous thermoplastic
General propertiesGood chemical resistance, good electrical insulation, low humidity absorption
ProcessingExtrusion (hoses, cables), calendering
ApplicationsBuilding industry, toys, furniture industry, electrical engineering, packaging, agriculture

NETZSCH Measurement

InstrumentDSC 204 F1 Phoenix®
Sample Mass12.36 mg
IsothermalTests at controlled and constant temperature are called isothermal.Isothermal Phases5 min
Heating/Colling Rates10 K/min
CrucibleAl, pierced lid
AtmosphereN2 (40 ml/min)

Evaluation

Due to the plasticizer additive, the Glass Transition TemperatureThe glass transition is one of the most important properties of amorphous and semi-crystalline materials, e.g., inorganic glasses, amorphous metals, polymers, pharmaceuticals and food ingredients, etc., and describes the temperature region where the mechanical properties of the materials change from hard and brittle to more soft, deformable or rubbery.glass transition temperature Tg was at -41°C in the 1st heating (blue) and -39°C in the 2nd heating (red). Evaluation of the step heights (Δcp) yielded a value of approx. 0.26 J/(g·K) in both heatings. With the help of the 1st heating (blue), the degree of gelation of the PVC can be determined*. This requires calculation of two peak areas, i.e., of Ha between T1 and process temperature T2 (representing the amount already gelled) as well as of Hb between T2 and T3 (representing the amount not yet gelled). The degree of gelation (G) in % is calculated from the ratio of Ha and the total enthalpy (Ha + Hb) multiplied by 100. In the present case, this evaluation leads to a result of 85.1%. Since the end temperature of the 1st heating was at 200°C, only one peak was visible in the 2nd heating (red) since the entire PVC was already gelled.

* H. Potente, S.M. Schultheiß, Bestimmung des Geliergrades von PVC mit der DSC, Kunststoffe 77, 1987, pages 401 - 404

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