Did you know that in many cases, comparisons with nature and humans can be used to explain facts in plastics technology?
Soft PVC (plasticised polyvinyl chloride) Soft PVC (plasticised polyvinyl chloride) is a flexible and durable plastic. It is characterised by its high elasticity, good weather resistance, as well as its resistance to moisture absorption and resistance to chemicals, cleaning agents and disinfectants. Furthermore, soft PVC is ideally suited for processing into rubber-like products using dip-coating, coating and injection moulding processes.
Soft PVC contains plasticisers, which make it elastic, pliable and flexible. Hard PVC does not contain any plasticisers and is therefore rigid, dimensionally stable and particularly durable. Whilst soft PVC is frequently used for hoses, films, Immersion parts and Coatings Rigid PVC is primarily used in pipes, window profiles and technical components.
Soft PVC derives its elasticity from special plasticisers. For health and consumer protection reasons, the use of certain phthalate plasticisers is now restricted, particularly in products for children, consumer goods and applications involving close skin contact, phthalate-free formulations used.
Yes. The international abbreviation for polyvinyl chloride is PVC. The letter ‘C’ in this stands for the halogen chlorine. This applies to both rigid PVC and flexible PVC. The chlorine is firmly bound within the molecular structure of the plastic and is not released during normal use. It is only upon thermal decomposition and immediate reaction with water or atmospheric moisture that caustic and corrosive hydrogen chloride (HCl) is produced as a decomposition product.
Products made from soft PVC typically have a continuous temperature resistance of 60–80 °C and can withstand temperatures of up to 90–100 °C for short periods. Temperatures above this range cause the material to soften and products made from soft PVC to deform. A soft PVC specially formulated with additives In accordance with VW test standard P 1300, it can be subjected to temperatures of up to 200°C for a period of 45 minutes, which is sufficient as an alternative to silicone caps in certain applications.
Yes, caps can in principle also be made from diving materials such as silicone or natural rubber, both of which have a higher long-term temperature resistance than soft PVC, but are not used by Hamco.
As conventional products made of soft material soften at temperatures above 90–100 °C and deform under stress, a Special-grade soft PVC which can be used for extended periods at higher temperatures. In accordance with the thermal stability test standard set out in VW specification P 1300, this special type can withstand a temperature of 200°C for a period of 45 minutes. For every 10 K reduction in test temperature, the operating time doubles (to 90 minutes at T = 190 °C / to 180 minutes at T = 180 °C). In many cases, this is sufficient as an alternative to injection-moulded or dip-coated silicone caps.
Particularly in the case of coloured soft PVC products which, when used outdoors in accordance with their intended application, are exposed to prolonged and intense UV radiation, specific UV stabilisers must be added to the soft PVC formulations prior to processing, to counteract both premature colour fading and a loss of mechanical properties. Black soft PVC exhibits good UV and weather resistance.
Soft PVC is a durable, flexible plastic with good resistance to ageing. PVC does not absorb water, is resistant to many chemicals and withstands weathering over long periods. However, the actual service life of moulded parts and coatings made from soft PVC depends on the operating conditions, in particular UV radiation, temperature exposure and mechanical stress. The use of suitable stabilisers can further improve resistance to ageing.
Yes, soft PVC is resistant to water and seawater. The material absorbs virtually no water and retains its physical and mechanical properties even when in constant contact with moisture. Furthermore, soft PVC is largely resistant to salt water, which is why it is frequently used in maritime applications or, for example, for Protective caps, PVC castings or coated components used in coastal or offshore wind turbines is used.
Soft PVC is characterised by good chemical resistance to many acids, alkalis, salt solutions and water-based chemicals. Furthermore, soft PVC exhibits good weather resistance and resistance to water and salt water. However, its resistance to oils, fats, fuels and some organic solvents may be limited, depending on the specific substance, its concentration and the conditions of use.
Depending on the requirements and function of the submerged component, a wider range of soft PVC grades with Shore A hardness levels from 55 to 96 is available to help you select the most suitable material. For the manufacture of smooth-running bellows, we recommend the use of a soft Plastisol-type with approx. 55 Shore A. The Standard hardness of 67 Shore A covers the vast majority of applications for cover caps and protective caps across a wide range of industrial sectors and Industries . When it comes to parts that are subjected to less mechanical stress, such as grip sleeves for hand tools, or when coating components where the focus is on corrosion protection rather than impact protection, or on ensuring a good grip on the surface, a Hardness of 75 Shore A a good choice. Where coated components are subject to high mechanical stress and are required to offer both good abrasion resistance and excellent electrical insulation properties, a Plastisol with a hardness of 85 Shore A is used. The hardest of these, and therefore just about still classed as a soft PVC type, Plastisol type with a Shore A hardness of 96 is ideal when the immersed parts need to offer high rigidity and abrasion resistance.
As well as their hardness, the various types of soft PVC also differ in their composition. Phthalate-free soft PVC types, in particular, open up new possibilities for the use of soft PVC in the the medical technology and therapeutic sectors, for toys and products that come into prolonged contact with the skin.
Soft PVC has inherently good fire-retardant properties due to its chlorine content. The material is flame-retardant and self-extinguishing once the ignition source is removed. However, please note: in the event of a fire, harmful fumes are released which must never be inhaled. In normal use, however, PVC-coated parts do not pose a risk; risks only arise in the event of severe thermal decomposition.
Yes, soft PVC is also available in electrically conductive grades as an option. By adding special additives to existing plastisol formulations, the electrical resistance can be specifically reduced so that electrostatic charges are safely dissipated. Electrically conductive soft PVC is used, for example, for Coatings for hand tools used in applications where protection against electrostatic discharge (ESD) is required.
Detectable soft PVC contains metallic or magnetically detectable additives, so that material residues from mechanically damaged or lost protective caps can be detected by metal detectors or X-ray systems – particularly in the food, pharmaceutical and packaging industries – and removed to protect consumers.
For soft PVC dip-moulded parts containing magnetic particles, the applications are almost exclusively those that require the detectability and do not require the use of an actual magnetic function.
Soft PVC is ideally suited for insulating components against electrical voltage and protecting the user. The material’s dielectric strength is at least 15–20 kV per mm of material thickness, making it entirely comparable to silicone, if not slightly superior.
Special additives can be used to tailor the electrical properties specifically, for example for applications requiring electrical conductivity or detectability.
In many regions, small quantities of used soft PVC dip-moulded parts can be disposed of as part of a private household’s general waste. For larger quantities and commercial plastic waste, the relevant local disposal and recycling regulations apply. Soft PVC is generally recyclable and should, where possible, be sent for appropriate recycling.
Yes, soft PVC is generally recyclable. Whether and in what form recycling is possible depends on the material composition, the degree of contamination and the recycling options available in your region. Please observe the waste disposal and recycling regulations that apply to you.
To ensure that a PVC round cap To ensure that it is easy to fit and, at the same time, sits securely on the component so that it cannot be lost, the outer diameter of the component and the inner diameter of the cap must be matched. For easy manual fitting, we recommend that the inner diameter of the protective cap be 0.2–0.5 mm smaller; for secure transport protection, we recommend selecting an inner diameter that is 0.5–1.0 mm smaller.
As a general rule, the internal diameter of the round cap should be selected to be slightly smaller than the external diameter of the component to be protected. Due to the elasticity of the soft PVC, the cap expands slightly during fitting and then fits snugly against the surface of the component with a certain amount of pre-tension. This creates the desired secure hold.
As well as the diameter, the length of the cap also plays an important role. Longer round caps generally provide a larger contact area and therefore fit more securely than shorter versions. It is often better to choose a slightly longer cap rather than reducing the diameter significantly.
With harder PVC materials and longer caps, the difference in dimensions between the cap and the component should be smaller, so that the cap can still be fitted without any problems.
PVC rectangular caps PVC rectangular caps are fitted onto the end of a standardised square tube or rectangular profile. Whilst this may sound simple, the ease with which this can be done varies depending on the dimensions of the protective caps, but it can always be done without the need for any tools. To ensure that the rectangular caps sit securely and cannot be lost, the caps must be pre-tensioned on the component. This pre-tension is achieved by making the longer side of the rectangular cap slightly undersized. For an 8 x 12 mm rectangular cap, the 12 mm dimension is manufactured undersized. The narrower side of the rectangular cap can initially be fitted onto the square tube with ease. Using the flat of the palm and applying a little thrust towards the longer dimension, the cap is pushed right up to the edge and then slipped over it with a little effort. A little water with a splash of washing-up liquid on the surface of one of the two components is sufficient to make the assembly a little easier.
You are currently viewing a placeholder content from Vimeo. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
More InformationYou are currently viewing a placeholder content from YouTube. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
More InformationYou need to load content from reCAPTCHA to submit the form. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
More Information