Some recent developments in the processing of poly(vinyl chloride)

Poly(Vinyl chloride) is the basic material for a huge number of products which are fabricated using very many different techniques. Established processing techniques continue to be improved, leading to additional benefits in process efficiency and product quality. New processes are also being introduced which are intended to increase the efficiency of material usage and to open up new application areas. These include: molecular orientation, foaming, and cross-linking. Developments are also occurring in the use of PVC in conjunction with other materials as micro- or macro-composites. Processing techniques include coextrusion and lamination. Many processing methods are likely to benefit from the microelectronics revolution in process control and monitoring.