Polyvinylchloride (tpPVC)
The material. PVC vinyl is one of the cheapest, most versatile and with
Polyethylene the most widely used of polymers and epitomizes their multifaceted
character. In its pure form as a thermoplastic, tp PVC it is rigid, and not very
tough; its low price makes it a cost-effective engineering plastic where extremes of
service are not encountered. Incorporating plasticizers creates flexible PVC, elPVC,
a material with leather-like or rubber-like properties, and used as a substitute
for both. By contrast, reinforcement with glass fibers gives a material that is sufficiently
stiff, strong, and tough to be used for roofs, flooring, and building panels.