PVC

UK: ˌpiː viː ˈsiː | US: ˌpi vi ˈsi

Definition

  1. n. a synthetic plastic polymer widely used in construction, packaging, and other industries.

Structure
P <poly>V <vinyl>C <chloride>
Etymology

The term "PVC" is an initialism derived from the chemical name "polyvinyl chloride." Each component reflects its molecular structure:

  • "Poly" (from Greek polys, "many") denotes a polymer chain.
  • "Vinyl" refers to the vinyl group (CH₂=CH−), a key organic compound.
  • "Chloride" indicates the presence of chlorine atoms in the molecule.
    Developed in the early 20th century, PVC became a versatile material due to its durability and low cost. The abbreviation streamlined technical and industrial usage.
Examples

  1. PVC pipes are commonly used in plumbing systems.

  2. The artist created a sculpture from recycled PVC materials.

  3. This window frame is made of reinforced PVC for better insulation.

  4. Avoid burning PVC as it releases toxic fumes.

  5. The packaging industry relies heavily on PVC films.