PVC

Name: PVC, Polyvinyl, Vinyl

Real Name: Polyvinyl Chloride

Composition: C2H3Cl

Family: Thermoplastics

Density: 1.38

Temperature Range: -10º/70º

Owned by: B.F. Goodrich

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is one of the most versatile and widely used thermoplastic polymers in modern industry. Its development dates back to the 1940s, when the goal was to create plastics that combined rigidity, impact resistance, and ease of molding. The polymerization of three monomers—acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene—resulted in a material with properties superior to those of each component separately. Acrylonitrile provides chemical resistance and hardness, butadiene provides flexibility and impact resistance, while styrene provides rigidity and ease of processing.

The rise of ABS began in the 1950s and 1960s, when its versatility and low cost positioned it as an ideal alternative to more expensive materials such as certain metals and woods. The expansion of the automotive, household appliance, and consumer goods industries prompted its large-scale production. Over time, it became an iconic material thanks to its use in world-renowned products, such as LEGO building blocks, which demonstrated its durability and dimensional stability. Today, ABS continues to evolve with reinforced and 3D-printed variants, further expanding its technological relevance.

El ABS es un termoplástico amorfo caracterizado por su excelente balance entre rigidez y resistencia al impacto. Su composición tripartita le otorga propiedades únicas: el acrilonitrilo contribuye a su estabilidad química, resistencia a la abrasión y dureza superficial; el butadieno le confiere elasticidad y tolerancia al impacto incluso a bajas temperaturas; y el estireno asegura un acabado superficial brillante y facilidad de fabricación.

Este polímero se distingue por su baja densidad, que permite fabricar piezas ligeras y resistentes. Posee una temperatura de transición vítrea en torno a los 105 °C, lo que le permite conservar su forma en condiciones de uso doméstico e industrial, aunque no es apto para aplicaciones a muy altas temperaturas. Es fácilmente procesable mediante moldeo por inyección, extrusión y termoformado, además de ser mecanizable y soldable.

En términos estéticos, el ABS es naturalmente opaco y de color marfil, pero puede pigmentarse fácilmente, ofreciendo una amplia gama de acabados. Además, presenta buena resistencia química frente a aceites, grasas y disolventes diluidos, aunque es susceptible a agentes oxidantes fuertes y radiación ultravioleta prolongada, lo que ha llevado al desarrollo de versiones estabilizadas con aditivos.

Otra ventaja notable es su reciclabilidad: el ABS puede reprocesarse sin una pérdida significativa de propiedades, lo que lo convierte en un material atractivo para estrategias de economía circular. Su facilidad para imprimirse en 3D y su compatibilidad con procesos modernos de fabricación aditiva lo mantienen vigente en la industria.

Thanks to this combination of properties, PVC has applications in a wide variety of industries. In the construction sector, it is extensively used for manufacturing pipes, window profiles, coatings, waterproofing sheets, and electrical systems due to its durability and low maintenance costs. In the electrical industry, its excellent insulating properties make it an ideal material for cables, conduits, and safety components. In the medical field, flexible PVC is fundamental in the production of serum bags, catheter tubes, gloves, and transfusion devices due to its biocompatibility and ease of sterilization. In transport, both rigid and flexible PVC are employed in car interiors, covers, seals, and acoustic insulation systems. It also finds uses in the manufacturing of credit cards, toys, packaging, footwear, signage, and protective coatings. The possibility of modifying its formulation to adapt to specific requirements ensures that PVC continues to be a competitive material against more expensive or less resistant alternatives.

Polyvinyl chloride has evolved from an accidental discovery to become a fundamental pillar of modern engineering. Its history reflects the importance of research and development in materials, while its unique characteristics explain why it remains a preferred option in numerous sectors. With constantly growing demand and increasingly efficient recycling technologies, PVC will continue to play a key role in infrastructure construction, industrial innovation, and improving the quality of life worldwide.