Difference Between PVC and PVDC

The key difference between PVC and PVDC is that PVC is made of chloroethene monomers, whereas PVDC is made of vinylidene chloride.

PVC and PVDC are polymers that have closely similar structures due to the repeating units containing C-C, C-H, and C-Cl bonds. They are different from each other according to the monomer that is used for the production of the polymer material. Therefore, their repeating units are also different from each other.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is PVC
3. What is PVDC
4. Side by Side Comparison – PVC vs PVDC in Tabular Form
5. Summary

What is PVC?

The term PVC stands for polyvinyl chloride. PVC is a thermoplastic polymer made of chloroethene monomers. This material is a very common polymer material, along with polyethene and polypropylene. We can classify PVC into two groups as rigid form and flexible form. The rigid PVC material is important in construction needs, whereas the flexible PVC form is useful for wiring and cables.

Figure 01: Repeating Unit of PVC

There are three major steps in the production of PVC. The first step includes the conversion of ethane into 1,2-dichloroethane. This step is performed via chlorination. The second step of PVC production is cracking of 1,2-dichloroethane into chloroethene, along with the elimination of an HCl molecule. The third and final step of PVC production is the polymerization process of chloroethene in order to produce PVC material via the free radical polymerization process.

PVC has several notable properties including high hardness and beneficial machinery properties, poor heat stability, good flame retardancy, high electrical insulation, and chemical resistance. Moreover, there are many benefits to using PVC. For example, it is readily available in the market, and it’s a cheap material with good tensile strength. This material is also resistant to chemicals such as acids and bases.

What is PVDC?

The term PVDC stands for polyvinylidene chloride. It is a homopolymer of vinylidene chloride. This material is most common in the production of Saran wrap, a plastic wood wrap that was introduced recently (at around 2004). However, this formula was changed due to some environmental concerns due to its high chlorine content. This material is a remarkable barrier for water, oxygen, and aromas. Also, PVDC shows superior chemical resistance towards alkalis, acids, etc. Furthermore, PVDC is insoluble in oil and organic solvents. It has very low moisture regain and is also impervious to mould formation, bacteria and insect damages. However, this PVDC material is soluble in polar solvents. At high temperatures, PVDC undergoes decomposition forming HCl.

Figure 02: Repeating Unit of PVDC

Depending on its exceptional properties, PVDC has many applications; use as a packaging material, as a water-based coating to other plastic films, for cleaning cloths, filters, screens, tape, etc., production of doll hair, stuffed animals, fabrics, fishnet, shoe insoles, etc.

What is the Difference Between PVC and PVDC?

PVC and PVDC are polymers that have a large number of monomer units linked to each other via covalent bonds. PVC stands for polyvinyl chloride while PVDC stands for polyvinylidene chloride. The key difference between PVC and PVDC is that PVC is made of chloroethene monomers, whereas PVDC material is made of vinylidene chloride.

Below infographic tabulates the differences between PVC and PVDC in more detail.

Summary – PVC vs PVDC

The term PVC stands for polyvinyl chloride while the term PVDC stands for polyvinylidene chloride. The key difference between PVC and PVDC is that the PVC material is made of chloroethene monomers, whereas PVDC material is made of vinylidene chloride.

Reference:

1. “Polyvinyl chloride.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 05 Sept. 2020. Web. Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Polyvinylchlorid” By NEUROtiker – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia

2. “Polyvinylidenchlorid” By NEUROtiker – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia

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