PVC shows excellent properties in each single product in which it is used. In order to allow comparisons with other raw materials, based on technical arguments, we include examples of the performance of some PVC family product:
a. General
b. Pipes
c. Profiles
d. Films & foils
Note that, in a lot of cases, PVC products offer a whole system. It means that PVC products are used with complementary items that ensure a correct installation and in consequence, an appropriate performance.
a. General
1. Why is there a cost advantage for PVC?
2. Why should we avoid to substitute PVC?
3. Could PVC be replaced by more environmentally-friendly materials?
4. Why have some local authorities and even national governments banned the use of PVC in some applications?
b. Pipes
5. What are the advantages of PVC versus polyolefins for the pipes?
6. What are the advantages of PVC versus “traditional raw materials” (concrete, cast iron, etc…)?
7. Where can I find more detailed information about PVC pipes?
c. Profiles
8. What are the general advantages of PVC profiles?
9. What are the advantages of PVC versus wood and aluminum for the windows?
10. What about the end of life of PVC profiles compared to alternatives?
11. Why PVC is the best choice for use in “wood/polymer composites”?
d. Films & foils
12. What are the key advantages of PVC for membranes in building and construction?
13. Where may I have more information about films & foils?
a. General
1. Why is there a cost advantage for PVC?
The raw material cost is generally lower. The processing temperature is lower for PVC (lower energy cost). PVC is a unique product for a lot of different applications. The user can adapt the additive package for each specific application.
2. Why should we avoid to substitute PVC?
Because:
• PVC saves energy in the production process, and during its all cycle life.
• PVC saves non renewable resources (< 43% coming from oil).
• PVC is recyclable and is recycled today in significant amounts (82.000 mt in 2006 in Europe).
And also because:
• One day, you will need a blood transfusion.
• You appreciate hygienic & disinfected walls, floors, soils & seats in hospitals.
• You ask for hygienic packaging for fresh meat in supermarkets.
• You need every day your bank card & credit card.
• You ask for sustainable household plumbing piping & sewage installations.
• You ask for safe & non-flammable electrical installations in your home.
• You prefer maintenance-free window frames that last 3 times longer than precious tropical wood.
• You like to discover the façade of the San Marco Place in Venice, covered during it's renovation with PVC foils depicting the master ornamentation.
• In the full heat of sun or under the rain, you love the protection provided in the Stade de France by its PVC roofing.
• On the dry island of Azores, you appreciate the water collected in a volcanic crater to water flowers & grow fruit.
• You are fascinated by the scientific shipment of the “Bretzel” or "Canopy Raff" exploring the canopy of the tropical forests.
• PVC is important in your daily life, ...
3. Could PVC be replaced by more environmentally-friendly materials?
Almost any material can be replaced in most applications. But to justify this, the replacement material must not only fulfill the functional requirements of the application, meet any necessary safety standards and be available at a competitive cost, but also prove that it offers an environmental benefit. For this last point, the objective mean of comparison is the "eco-balance", which appraises the environmental burdens imposed by a material during its total lifecycle, from original production to waste disposal. Making substitution decisions on subjective bases can lead to a trap resulting in losses to the environment, rather than gains. A number of eco-balances have already been published showing PVC's favorable environmental performance.
4. Why have some local authorities and even national governments banned the use of PVC in some applications?
There are cases where the use of PVC has been restricted for some specific applications. However, there are also a number of examples where such restrictions have been lifted once the subject has been more closely examined. In fact, discussions currently going on at a national and local level in many countries in Europe, strongly indicate that people's attitudes towards PVC become far more positive once they have access to more information and can study the facts in more detail.
b. Pipes
5. What are the advantages of PVC versus polyolefins for the pipes?
The PVC has 5 major technical advantages in pipe application versus polyolefins:
• Higher stiffness of the material (related to the E-modulus of 3000 MPa compared to 800 to 1400 MPa for polyolefins) which allows limited thickness of the pipe.
• Durability: as explained in other chapters, PVC pipes are not sensitive to oxidation during service. The PVC pipes are being used with high satisfaction since more than 60 years and the expected lifetime is higher than 100 years.
• Fire properties: PVC is among plastics one of the most difficult to ignite and the contribution to fire is one of the lowest.
• Easier connections : PVC pipes are easy to saw and to drill with standard tools and PVC can also be glued (which is not the case for polyolefin material).
• The environment balance is very good for 2 main reasons: the low energy content as calculated from the life cycle analysis ; and the excellent ability to recycling of this material which allows to extrude many times the recovered material to obtain the same shape or a new shape of product.
6. What are the advantages of PVC versus “traditional raw materials” (concrete, cast iron, etc…)?
The main advantages are listed below:
• Cheaper (by meter of pipe).
• Recyclable.
• Easier to transport and install (lightness).
• Less energy consumption during production and product cycle life.
• Less pressure drop related to the good flow properties (smooth internal surface, no attachment of internal sediments).
• No corrosion.
• Less maintenance (long lifetime).
• Chemical resistance.
• Wide range of fittings.
7. Where can I find more detailed information about PVC pipes?
http://www.pvc4pipes.org/
http://www.aboutpvc.org/recursos/13recurso.pdf
c. Profiles
8. What are the general advantages of PVC profiles?
The general advantages of PVC in profiles are:
- Possibility of complex shapes.
- Possibilities of a very wide range of colours, appearances and surface aspect, etc…
- Lower economical and environmental costs.
- Easy to process and recycle.
- Lightness.
In addition to these advantages, here below you will find answers to some specific questions about windows and doors profiles.
9. What are the advantages of PVC versus wood and aluminum for the windows?
The main strong points are:
• Good compromise impact / rigidity.
• Good weathering (experience of more than 40 years).
• Very low maintenance.
• High thermal and acoustical insulation.
• High dimensional stability.
• Good Fire resistance.
• Good surface aspect (wide range of colours and appearances).
• No moisture absorption.
• Very good chemical resistance.
• Possibility to be welded.
PVC is also the most sustainable product that allows energy saving. To learn more, read the following report : “Estimate of energy consumption and CO2 emission associated with the production, use and final disposal of PVC, aluminium and wooden windows”, written by Dr. José María Baldasano Recio, Dr. René Parra Narváez, Dr. Pedro Jiménez Guerrero- Report: PVC-Ven-200501-2 - Final Version - 15th April 2005 – Barcelona.
Available on: http://www.aboutpvc.org/recursos/00131033RECURSO.pdf
10. What about the end of life of PVC profiles compared to alternatives?
PVC is not only recyclable but really recycled since years. It has been proved that even after 3 or 4 recycling processes, the mechanical properties of the profiles remain the same, which is not the case in polyolefins where the cristallinity, oxidation and changes in molecular weight of the polymers reduce the properties after recycling.
11. Why PVC is the best choice for use in “wood/polymer composites”?
Compared to polyolefins, PVC has three major advantages:
• much better rigidity,
• no fire propagation,
• better creep resistance.
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It has also a much better printability and an excellent wear resistance. PVC can also easily be glued.
d. Films & Foils
12. What are the key advantages of PVC for membranes in building and construction?
The key advantages of PVC in membranes in building are:
• Low economical and environmental costs (very good life cycle assessment, and price / quality balance).
• Easy to recycle.
• High fire resistance.
• Easy to install (welding, finally we obtain a single sheet up to several thousands of square meters).
• Easy to handle and to clean.
• Tailor-made products: depending on the final application, we can design the most suitable product : all shapes, reinforced with fibers or not, etc…
• Mechanical resistance: in absence of external stresses : almost never-ending cycle life.
• High chemical resistance.
• Easy to colour and to print (i.e. swimming pools).
• Very good resistance against root perforation.
13. Where may I have more information about films & foils?
On some internet sites like the article “Estimate of energy consumption and CO2 emission associated with the production, use and final disposal of sheets made of PVC-P, MDPE and bituminous materials”, griten by Dr. José María Baldasano Recio, María Gonçalves Ageitos, Dr. Pedro Jiménez Guerrero. Barcelona, November 2005. http://www.aboutpvc.org/recursos/12recurso.pdf
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