Poly(Vinyl Chloride) Processes and Products

Abstract

Poly(vinyl chloride) resins are produced by four basic processes: suspension, emulsion, bulk and solution polymerization. PVC suspension resins are usually relatively dust-free and granular with varying degrees of particle porosity. PVC emulsion resins are small particle powders containing very little free monomer. Bulk PVC resins are similar to suspension PVC resins, though the particles tend to be more porous. Solution PVC resins are smaller in particle size than suspension PVC with high porosity particles containing essentially no free monomer. The variety of PVC resin products does not lend itself to broad generalizations concerning health hazards. In studying occupational hazards the particular PVC process and the product must be considered and identified in the study.Poly(vinyl chloride) is a ubiquitous part of our environment today, in that it appears in clothing, upholstery, flooring, wire insulation, food containers, phonograph records and an almost infinite variety of other items. Despite this wide application and the size of the industry there is little public understanding of the term. A part of this confusion stems from the human inclination to abbreviate terms-thus, we say PVC when discussing poly-(vinyl chloride) resins, poly(vinyl chloride) latexes, poly(vinyl chloride) compounds, poly(vinyl chloride) ifim and so forth. This confusion has been accentuated by governmental regulators, who define PVC as a polymer containing any amount of vinyl chloride. On taking these two factors into account it has become almost impossible to distinguish what is meant when the term PVC is used in the various media. In order to study possible PVC industryrelated health problems one must know something of the various processes and products to properly evaluate study results. Many study results can have significance only if the source and composition of the PVC is stated.Manufacture of synthetic resins from vinyl chloride and other monomers involves reacting these monomers in agitated pressure vessels in the presence of catalysts and converting these liquids and/or gases to solid resins. A considerable amount of heat