PVC

PVC is a plastic made from about 57 percent chlorine and 43 percent carbon (derived chiefly from oil or gas via ethylene). As a side benefit, the chlorine gives PVC a very good fire resistance. PVC is commonly available in two forms: plasticized and unplasticized. The plasticized pvc contains additive which adds flexibility and makes a plastic suitable for items such as tarpaulins, flexible hoses, clothing accessories such as belts etc. The type of PVC without plasticizers is called, rather unoriginally, "Unplasticized PVC" or UPVC. The omission of plasticizers results in a rigid plastic used for items such as boxes, sheets and also rigid PVC pipe. So, technically rigid PVC pipe should be called UPVC pipe, but in many cases such as on this company's website www.plasticpipeshop.co.uk it is just referred to as "PVC"... There is often a great deal of confusion over the term "PVC" when it comes to piping, with UPVC and PVCU both coming into the mix to stir up trouble, so let's start with..

Primary location: United Kingdom