In Part 1 of this blog series, we covered the use of polypropylene in the manufacturing world, including its properties and implementation at MultiSource Manufacturing LLC. Part 2 of this series focuses on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastics, including its history, properties, and our use of PVC components as a contract manufacturer. PVC is a common type of polymer used extensively throughout many industries. It is also a versatile type of plastic used in many applications throughout the MultiSource network. As experts in plastic fabrication and in the use of plastic in contract manufacturing, our engineers and technicians implement PVC in several circumstances.

 

History: PVC is one of the older plastics used on an industrial scale. The first PVC was created in 1872 in Germany by Eugen Baumann. By 1926, the B.F. Goodrich Company developed a method to plasticize the otherwise brittle PVC. Thanks to this plasticizing method, the industrial use of PVC skyrocketed throughout the world during the 1900s, and today, approximately 40 million tons of PVC are produced each year.

 

Properties: PVC is the third most commonly produced plastic worldwide. Depending on the type of PVC, rigidity and flexibility can vary. However, PVC is generally harder and more brittle than other types of plastic. Because of its durability, PVC can be used in the fabrication of mechanical components. It has a low heat stability that can be remedied with a chemical stabilizer. If treated with a stabilizer, PVC can be used in electrical insulation. Additionally, PVC is resistant to acids, alkalides, salts, fats, and alcohol. Chlorinated PVC is also used in many manufacturing settings because it is less likely to corrode and better stands up to hot environments.

 

Uses: As most people know, PVC’s resistance to many chemicals makes it ideal for plumbing and other pipe applications. In addition to piping, PVC is used in the plastic fabrication of bottles and other packaging, electrical cable insulation, and wire coating. Because PVC is strong and light, it is also used in some building and large construction applications such as weatherproofing, siding, and insulation. Signage, vinyl films, labels, and many other uses of thin PVC are also common in the manufacturing world. In the medical device industry, PVC is used in a broad variety of components as well as single-use items, mechanical pump systems, catheters, valves, and sample containers. At MultiSource, we use PVC in prototype production, medical device manufacturing, semiconductor component fabrication, financial processing equipment, aerospace and defense production, and many other precision-based industrial manufacturing.

 

To learn more about our plastic fabrication capabilities and use of PVC in various applications, contact MultiSource Manufacturing LLC at (952) 456-5500. You may also request more information or request a quote to start with us today.