Question

Is PVC thermoplastic or thermosetting plastic?

Answer 1

PVC is used widely. Several things are made up of PVC. It can be melted down on heating, hardened on heating, can be made into wires and sheets, and is resistant to many things such as acid, alcohol, etc. All these characteristics make PVC thermoplastic.

Complete answer:
The full form of PVC is polyvinyl Chloride. It is thermoplastic. Thermoplastics are polymers that can be melted and recast almost indefinitely. They are also called thermosoftening plastics. They melt when heated and become hardened and tough upon cooling. However, when frozen they become glass-like and subject to fracture. Because of all these characteristics, thermoplastics are reversible. They are also mechanically recyclable.
PVC or polyvinyl Chloride is a high-strength thermoplastic material. It has wide applications. They are used to construct pipes. They are used to produce medical devices; they are drawn into wires and are also used as cable insulation. But PVC is generally suitable for medium to low voltage and low-frequency insulation materials. PVC is the third most widely produced synthetic plastic polymer after polyethylene and polypropylene. When the molecular weight increases then the mechanical properties of PVC increase but it decreases when the temperature is increased. PVC is a thermoplastic so it has an inherent insulation that aids in reducing condensation formation and resisting internal temperature changes for hot and cold liquids. PVC is resistant to alcohols, fats, oils, aromatic free petrol, acids, and bases. This makes PVC resistant to the corrosive effects of sewage, which is why it is so extensively utilized in sewer piping systems.

Note:
although PVC has so many applications and is used widely. There are some drastic effects it can cause. PVC contains a high content of chlorine. Because of which it creates toxic pollution in the form of dioxins. And this dioxin gets accumulated in the fats of animals up through the food chain. PVC is considered to be one of the most toxic plastic that we have around. Using PVC should be avoided wherever possible.