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PVC Awareness Part 2
PVC makes a major contribution to the quality, safety and
cost-effectiveness of construction materials, as well as helping to
reduce the environmental impact of completed projects. Yet it
is a product that is often taken for granted, Sarah Murphy reports
Many plastics have become household names - nylon, polyester and polythene, Another is polyvinyl chloride, better known as PVC. The product is the world's most researched plastic/polymer and there are extremely strict guidelines governing PVC manufacturing and workers' health. It is the most widely used polymer in building and construction applications, and over 50 per cent of Western Europe's annual PVC production is used in this sector. The material is versatile to meet modern and future design needs. In addition to use in new projects, PVC also has wide application in refurbishment where PVC commonly replaces traditional materials such as clay and wood.
Consumption of
PVC by the Western European construction industry:
The key properties of PVC are that it is abrasion resistance, and light weight, its good mechanical strength and toughness are key technical advantages for its use in building and construction applications. PVC can be cut, shaped, welded and joined easily in a variety of styles. It is also durable and is resistant to weathering, chemical rotting, corrosion, shock and abrasion. It is suitable for different long-life and outdoor products. In fact, medium and long-term applications account for some 85% of PVC production in the building and construction sector. For example, it is estimated that more than 75% of PVC pipes will have a lifetime in excess of 40 years with potential in-service lives of up to 100 years. In other applications such as window profiles and cable insulation, studies indicate that over 60% of them will have working lives of more than 40 years. Cost-Effective PVC has been a popular material for construction applications for decades due to its physical and technical properties, which provide excellent cost-performance advantages. As a material it is very competitive in terms of price, this value is also enhanced by the properties such as its durability, life-span and low maintenance.
In lifecycle analyses and independent studies, PVC's environmental impact has been found to be favourable when compared with other manufactured materials used for construction. It is comparatively low in its energy and resource use during production, as well as in conversion to finished products. As a thermoplastic, PVC can be recycled, after it has been sorted into a single material stream and can also play its part in mixed plastics recycling. Facilities exist so that construction materials such as pipes, window profiles and flooring can be recycled at the end of their useful lives. Additional recycling facilities for waste PVC construction materials are being developed across Europe. At the end of a product's useful life, if not recycled, it can be safely incinerated or deposited in landfill. good thermal insulation of windows and cladding helps to increase the energy efficiency of buildings. Safe Material PVC is non-toxic. It is a safe material and a socially valuable resource that has been used for more than half a century. It is also the world's most researched and thoroughly tested plastic. It meets all international standards for safety and health for both the products and applications for which it is used. Fire Resistant PVC is inherently difficult to ignite and stops burning once the source of heat is removed. Compared to its common plastic alternatives, PVC performs better in terms of lower combustibility, flammability, flame propagation and heat release. Newly developed PVC formulations (FR-PVC) have significant advantages in terms of lower acid emissions, smoke generation and enhanced fire resistance.
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