PVA - Polyvinyl alcohol is an artificial water-soluble synthetic thermoplastic polymer.
The pioneers of polyvinyl alcohol were the German chemists Willy Hermann and Wolfram Gonell in 1924.
It is a white (rarely - light yellow or creamy) powder, odorless and tasteless.
It is an artificial solid thermoplastic polymer.
It dissolves well in water, dissolves in aliphatic glycols, glycerin , aqueous solutions of urea, dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide.
Resistant to most universal organic solvents, oil, gasoline, kerosene and other hydrocarbons, diluted acids. It is non-toxic.
Polyvinyl alcohol is hygroscopic (absorbs moisture from the air) and always contains about 5% water, which plasticizes the substance to a certain extent.
But water evaporates easily and quickly. Therefore, ethylene glycol, butylene glycol, phosphoric acid and glycerin are used as plasticizers for this polymer.
Density - from 1.19 to 1.31 g/cm3. Melting point 200°C, decomposition temperature 230°C.
Chemical formula: (C2H4O)x, where x is the degree of polymerization.
Uses of polyvinyl alcohol
Polyvinyl alcohol is an excellent emulsifier, adhesive and film-forming polymer. It has high tensile strength and flexibility.
These properties depend on air humidity, because the polymer absorbs moisture.
Water acts as a polymer plasticizer.
At high humidity, PVA reduces strength but stretches elasticity.
Application
Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is widely used in many industries:
- In the chemical industry, it is used for the production of polyvinyl alcohol fibers and polymer films, it is also used as a stabilizer in the aqueous polymerization of vinyl acetate, and it is an important component (glue and thickener) in the production of glue and latex. It acts as a raw material for the production of other polymers: polyvinyl acetal and polyvinyl nitrate.
- In the agricultural industry, it is used as a synthetic fertilizer that improves the fertile properties of the soil.
- In metallurgy - for steel hardening.
- In the perfume and cosmetics industry - as a component for children's and women's care products.
- In construction, PVA is used as a protective coating for building materials and as a reinforcing fiber in concrete.
- In the paper, textile and leather industry, polyvinyl alcohol is used for gluing fabrics, leather, paper and cardboard, gluing trade labels and tags, etc.
- In the instrumentation industry - for the production of cyclographic plates and various printed plates.
- In microbiology - for the immobilization of enzymes and cells.
- PVA has become widespread in the conservation of monumental painting since the 1950s. We use PVA mainly for preventive gluing and as a component of restoration primers.
- In medicine, polyvinyl alcohol is used as a plasma substitute for blood transfusion, as an embolization agent in medical cases, as a fixative for sample collection, etc.).
- Polyvinyl alcohol of low molecular weight, carefully purified from impurities, is used for the production of the "iodinol" preparation.
- Special types of low molecular weight polyvinyl alcohol are used in the food industry (food additive (emulsifier) E1203).
- Alcohol can be found in seafood and fish glazes, films and coatings for the surface treatment of cheeses and sausages.
- Thickener and glue in shampoos, glues, latex
- Protective layer for CO2 in PET bottles (polyethylene terephthalate)
- An integral part of hygiene products for women and children
- Water-soluble films in the production of packaging materials
- Production of polyvinyl butyral
- In solutions for eye drops and contact lenses as a lubricant
- As a surfactant for the production of encapsulated nanoparticles
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Safety requirements
Non-hazardous substance according to the Chemicals Act or the Hazardous Substances Directive or EU Recommendations 67/548 / EC and 1999/45 / EC.
Packaging, transport and storage
Our polyvinyl alcohol products are packed in nylon sacks belted with reinforced paper, weighing 25 kg.
Polyvinyl alcohol in the original packaging can be stored in closed, in dry rooms at room temperature almost indefinitely.
Types
We offer all types of PVA with the necessary certificates.
Read more on the product page PVA - polyvinyl alcohol
PVA granulation test