Material class of PVC: Polyvinyl chloride is best classified as which type of material?
Chemical Engineering
Polymer Technology
Difficulty: Easy
Choose an option
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AThermoplastic
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BThermosetting
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CFibrous
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DChemically active (reactive resin)
Answer
Correct Answer: Thermoplastic
Explanation
Introduction / Context:PVC is a vinyl thermoplastic used across pipes, cables, and films. It softens on heating and can be remelted and remoulded (within stabiliser limits), which defines thermoplastics.
Concept / Approach:Thermosets cure irreversibly; PVC does not form permanent covalent crosslinks in standard grades (though crosslinkable PVC exists for specialty uses). Therefore, PVC is categorised as a thermoplastic.
Final Answer:Thermoplastic