Material class of PVC: Polyvinyl chloride is best classified as which type of material?

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