Antioxidants and UV stabilizers: A summary of their utilization in PVC

Abstract With the ever increasing demand for better performing products has come the enhanced use of stabilizers and stabilizer systems in both the production and processing of poly(vinylchloride). Antioxidants and chain terminators are commonly used in teh resin manufacturing to improve the initial color and overall quality of the polymer isolated from production. Hindered phenolics and organophosphites have been found to boost the performance of thermal stabilizers for PVC processing. Additionally, as both rigid and flexible PVC compounds have found greater and more demanding weatherable applications both indoors and outdoors, the utilization of UV stabilizers has grown proportionally. For most outdoor applications the UV stabilizer system is essential for the maintenance of color and mechanical properties of the PVC product. This paper attempts to review and discuss stabilizer usage for specific PVC formulations and applications and answer questions as to how and why they are used.