Flexible PVC is a soft, flexible material that ranges in appearance from transparent to opaque. PVC is manufactured with plasticizers, which confer rubbery properties on the end product. By adjusting the type and amount of plasticizers, plastic molders can achieve a large range of flexible compositions. Common applications in which Flexible PVC is used include:

• • Wire & Cable Jacketing
• • Pool Liners
• • Flooring
• • Garden Hoses
• • Rainwear & Boots
• • Medical Tubing
• • Automotive Interior Trim
• • Plumbing
• • Electrical Cable Insulation
• • Inflatable Products
• • Imitation leather
• • Signage

Flexible PVC offers a number of advantages, such as:

• • Good Strength
• • High Abrasion Resistance
• • High Clarity
• • Good Outdoor Weathering Characteristics

Rigid PVC is used in a broad range of applications, including:

• • Building & Construction
• • Exterior Siding
• • Windows
• • Piping
• • Pipe Fittings
• • Sprinkler Systems
• • Office Furniture Edging
• • Bottles
• • Non-Food Packaging
• • Cards, such as Membership or Bank Cards

Rigid PVC is a versatile thermoplastic resin that’s rigid and tough under ambient conditions. To allow injection molding, additives are mixed with PVC, including stabilizers, lubricants, processing aids, pigments, impact modifiers and fillers. Some of its other advantages include:

• • Good Strength
• • High Clarity
• • Good Outdoor Weathering Characteristics
• • Flame Retardant

Typically, lower molecular weight grades of this resin are used in injection molding as the high molecular weight grades are more difficult to process. It’s very important to process the material at the correct melt temperature to avoid decomposition and production of hydrochloric acid. Other limitations of Rigid PVC include:

• • Poor Thermal Capability
• • Sensitive to UV Degradation
• • Sensitive to Oxidative Degradation
• • Higher Molecular Weight Resin is More Difficult to Process
• • Stiff Flow Rate with Narrow Processing Range