Pvc also is known as polyvinyl chloride or polychloroethene, is a thermoplastic. It softens up when heated and hardens up when cooled. Pvc is made by polymerization of the monomer vinyl chloride CH2=CHCl. The more plasticizers are added the pvc turns softer. It is the most common type of plastic that is used for domestic and industrial products. Pvc can further be classified under upvc and cpvc.
UPVC vs CPVC
The difference between upvc and cpvc is its temperature difference. Upvc is best suitable to work at a temperature varying from 0oC to 65oC whereas cpvc is suitable to work at a temperature ranging between -40oC to +95oC.
Upvc is also known as unplasticized polyvinyl chloride. It is a solid and very versatile material. It is highly resistant to moisture, atmosphere, and certain chemicals. Upvc is used in window sills and frames. It is a great substitute for timber wood and aluminum. It is quite easy and simple to install.
Cpvc is known as Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride. It is a thermoplastic made by the process of chlorinating polyvinyl chloride resin. It is highly resistant to degradation, chemicals majorly acids, alkalis, and salt hence it is best suited for the chemical industry.
Comparison Table Between Upvc and Cpvc
| Parameter of Comparison | Upvc | Cpvc |
| Stands for | Unplasticized polyvinyl chloride | Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride |
| Plasticization | Not composed of any plasticizers | It is composed of plasticizers |
| Malleability | It is not bendable | It is bendable |
| Temperature Resistance | Cannot be used to carry high-temperature liquids | Can be used for carrying high-temperature liquids |
| Rigid | It is highly rigid | It is flexible in nature |
| Water | It should not be used for drinking water transmission | It is safe for transportation of drinking water |
What is Upvc?
Upvc stands for unplasticized polyvinyl chloride. It is used as a low-maintenance building material instead of painted wood, majorly used for the installation of window frames and window sills. It is a versatile material that is highly resistant to several chemicals.
Unplasticized polyvinyl chloride pipes are less bendable and are a little difficult to work with as they are sturdy. It can also be used in heavy-duty plumbing. Upvc is a transparent and hard-wearing or rigid material. It is resistant to moisture and chemicals, hence they have excellent electrical properties and low inflammability.
Upvc is a much reasonable alternative to the expensive hardwood timber and aluminum. The material is highly resistant to any kind of corrosion. Upvc is suitable for the transportation of processed water wastewater and a large number of chemicals. It can also be used with various ranges of pressure on the material. They are fire-resistant and can also be recycled and reshaped.
What is Cpvc?
Cpvc stands for chlorinated polyvinyl chloride. It is a thermoplastic polymer. The chemical formulation of cpvc is C9H11Cl7. It is made by the process of chlorinating the polyvinyl chloride resin. The chlorination process helps in achieving more flexibility and more strength to withstand high temperatures.
The reaction is mostly initiated by the application of thermal or UV energy. In this process, chlorine gas gets decomposed into free radical chlorine and reacts with pvc in the post-production stage. This results in the replacement of hydrogen in pvc with chlorine to form cpvc.
Cpvc is high in chlorine content. It has excellent resistance to chemicals and majorly acids, alkalis, and salts hence it is a very appropriate material in the chemical industry. The temperature range of application varies from-40oC to +95oC. Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride is a highly valuable material. It is a structurally rigid and solid plastic material, which is used in industrial media transport applications. It has a maximum operating temperature of up to 100oC.
Cpvc is characterized as easy handling as a simple and fast bonding material. It is also best or transfers both treated and untreated drinking water. Cpvc is also known for its optimum temperature stability and non-flammability quality. It is lightweight and very easy to transport material. It can be bent, shaped, and welded in any shape and form.
Main Difference Between Upvc and Cpvc
- Upvc stands for unplasticized polyvinyl chloride whereas cpvc stands for chlorinated polyvinyl chloride.
- Upvc does not contain any plasticizers whereas cpvc is made of plasticizers.
- Upvc is highly rigid and not malleable. However, cpvc is flexible and bendable.
- Upvc is only suitable to work at a temperature ranging 0oC to 65oC, hence it cannot be used to carry high-temperature liquids. However cpvc, is suitable for working in the range between -40oC to +95oC hence it is suitable to carry high-temperature liquids.
- Upvc is not suitable to be used in drinking water transportation, whereas cpvc is colorless and odorless material and can be used for the transportation of drinking water.
Conclusion
Pvc (polyvinyl chloride) is a thermoplastic. It is made by the process of polymerization. The chemical formulation of pvc is (C2H3Cl)n. It is the most preferred and suitable type of plastic that is used in domestic and industrial products. Pvc can further be classified as upvc (unplasticized polyvinyl) and cpvc (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride). They can be distinguished based on plasticization, malleability, temperature resistance, rigidity, and water suitable to transport.
Upvc is a solid versatile material. It is highly resistant to certain chemicals and also to the atmosphere. Upvc is considered a great inexpensive substitute for timber wood and aluminum. Upvc is best suitable to work at temperatures varying from 0oC to 65oC. However, it is not considered the best option for the transportation of drinking water.
Cpvc on the other hand is a thermoplastic made by the process of chlorinating polyvinyl chloride resin. The chemical formulation of cpvc is C9H11Cl7. Cpvc is highly resistant to heat and can be easily worked at a temperature between -40oC to +95oC.
References
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S026130690800232X
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A:1004776627389
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0043135406006713
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/(SICI)1099-0739(199707)11:7%3C551::AID-AOC606%3E3.0.CO;2-0
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