How PVC Resin is Transformed to
Vinyl Compound
July 21, 2017
A compound is defined as a substance formed when two or more elements are chemically bonded
together. But how does PVC resin transform to vinyl compound?
New compound formulations are developed to meet an application requirement or a processing
limitation. Chemists and formulation engineers create custom compounds by blending a variety of
additives, modifiers and stabilizers with PVC resin to achieve specific properties.
The difference between rigid and flexible PVC compounds, in a word is – plasticizer.
Rigid PVC compounds sometimes listed as rPVC or uPVC (unplasticized) – have high hardness,
excellent mechanical properties, and high melt point. These work well in some applications, such as
deck and rail or for pipe fittings, but there are other applications that call for a less rigid, more
malleable material.
Flexible PVC compounds are formulated to meet performance requirements for applications such as
medical tubing, electrical wiring, automotive body side molding, and garden hose just to mention a
few. They are also formulated with our customer’s processability needs in mind. Flexible PVC
compounds contain plasticizers, softening agents which help give them “rubber like” properties.
Market needs, scientific advancements, regulatory guidelines and raw material economics compel
R&D technicians and formulation engineers to push the envelope, looking for more versatile and
cost-effective materials to use in their custom compound formulations. Due to their inherent
versatility, vinyl compounds have proven to be very cost-effective materials across many markets
and applications.
Below is a generalized list of the ingredients used in the formulation of vinyl compounds.
GENERALIZED LIST OF VINYL COMPOUND INGREDIENTS
INGREDIENT
DEFINITION COMMONLY USED DESCRIPTION
CATEGORY
PVC compound is rigid at
room temperature, which can
make it difficult to process.
Plasticizers, which are
typically liquid chemical
A substance compounds, are added to
added to a resin PVC resin to make it flexible.
that promotes Monomeric, The more plasticizer added to
PLASTICIZERS
flexibility and Polymeric, Epoxy a compound, the softer and
inhibits more flexible the PVC
brittleness becomes. All flexible vinyl
compounds contain
plasticizers or alloys (see
below) in order to make them
less rigid and easier to
process.
Stabilizers are essential in
Barium/Zinc PVC compounds because
A chemical added liquids, PVC resin can degrade when
to a solution, Calcium/Zinc exposed to elevated
mixture or powders, Tin temperatures. Heat stabilizers
STABILIZERS suspension to Mercaptides, help to diminish breakdown
maintain it in a Organic-based and enhance heat stability.
stable or (Benzotriazoles and UV stabilizers are used in
unchanging stage Benzophenones for compounds that may
UV stabilization) encounter direct, extended
contact with sunlight.
Lubricants are added to
compounds to assist in the
A substance used Fatty Acids, manufacturing process. They
LUBRICANTS for minimizing Metallic Soaps, help with melt viscosity,
friction Esters, Waxes compound flow, and to
minimize both processing
and molecular friction.
INGREDIENT
DEFINITION COMMONLY USED DESCRIPTION
CATEGORY
Fillers are solid materials of
varying particle sizes used in
the formulation of PVC
compounds to improve
A substance
impact performance, opacity
added to a
and to add stiffness and
product to Calcium Carbonate,
FILLERS tensile strength. Particle size
increase volume, Kaolin Clay, Talc
and ratio of filler to resin are
opacity, or
considerations when
strength
determining how much filler
can be used without
degrading the performance of
a compound.
A substance Several other types of
added to a Texturing agents, additives may be introduced
compound in Impact Modifiers, to a compound to enhance or
FUNCTIONAL
small quantities, Fungicides, Flame create a unique property
ADDITIVES
typically to Retardant, Smoke within the compound. (See:
improve an aspect Suppressant FireGuard®, HalGuard®,
of performance AquaGuard®).
Blends are created when PVC
A polymer blend
compound is blended with
or mixture in
another polymer to achieve
which polymer(s)
enhanced performance. Many
blend toegether
Thermoplastic times these blended
ALLOYING with PVC to
Polyurethane, EVA, compounds are used in harsh
POLYMERS create a new
Nitrile Rubber environments or when
material with
abrasion and chemical
different physical
resistance is required. (See:
properties than
Apex PVC Blends and
PVC alone
Flexalloy®).
