What is the Difference Between PVC and PVDC?

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The main difference between PVC and PVDC lies in their chemical composition and properties. Here are the key differences:

  • Chemical Composition: PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is made of chloroethene monomers, while PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride) is made of vinylidene chloride.
  • Barrier Properties: PVDC is known for its excellent moisture and oxygen barrier properties, making it a popular choice for packaging materials. In contrast, PVC has poor barrier properties against moisture and oxygen ingress.
  • Applications: PVC is a widely used thermoplastic polymer known for its durability and versatility, making it suitable for various applications. PVDC, on the other hand, is often used as a barrier material in packaging, such as blister packs for pharmaceuticals.
  • Coating Process: PVDC can be applied to a PVC film using an emulsion coating process, which involves dispersing PVDC resin in water and applying the coating in several steps. This process allows for the creation of PVC/PVDC laminates, which combine the low cost and ease of thermoforming of PVC with the superior barrier properties of PVDC.

In summary, PVC is a versatile thermoplastic polymer with poor barrier properties, while PVDC is a barrier material with excellent moisture and oxygen barrier properties. PVDC can be applied to PVC to create laminates with improved barrier properties, making them suitable for various packaging applications, such as pharmaceutical blister packs.

Comparative Table: PVC vs PVDC

The main difference between PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride) lies in their chemical composition and barrier properties. Here is a table comparing the two materials:

Property PVC PVDC
Chemical Composition Made of chloroethene monomers Made of vinylidene chloride
Barrier Properties Poor barrier against moisture and oxygen ingress High moisture and oxygen barrier
Thermoforming Easy to thermoform Not mentioned
Coating PVC is the base material for the forming web PVDC is applied as a coating onto a PVC film to enhance barrier properties

PVC is a common polymer material used in various applications, including construction and wiring. It is a thermoplastic polymer made of chloroethene monomers and can be classified into rigid and flexible forms. On the other hand, PVDC is made of vinylidene chloride and is known for its high moisture and oxygen barrier properties. PVDC is often applied as a coating onto a PVC film to enhance its barrier properties. PVDC-coated PVC films are commonly used in pharmaceutical packaging due to their high barrier properties.