Structure and Stability of Polyvinyl Chloride

Abstract Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) was first prepared in the laboratory over a hundred years ago. Due to its inherent instability the commercial applications of the polymer could only be developed after the development of effective means for its stabilization. PVC started to gain commercial significance in the late thirties and since then has continued to gain in importance. By using modifying agents (plasticizers, fillers, stabilizers, and other additives), it can be modified to exhibit an extremely wide range of properties.