Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is a widely used thermoplastic polymer. Globally, over 50% of PVC manufactured is used in construction. As a building material, PVC is cheap and easy sto assemble. In recent years, PVC has been replacing traditional building materials such as wood, concrete, and clay in many areas.

There are many uses for PVC. As a hard plastic, it is used as vinyl siding, magnatic stripe cards, window profiles, pipe,plumbing and conduit fixtures. The material is often used in Plastic Pressure Pipe Systems for pipelines in the water and sewer industries because of its inexpensive nature and flexibility.

It can be made softer and more flexible by the addition of plasticizers. By blending or compounding the PVC resin with a number of specialized additives, PVC finished or semi-finished products are subsequently fabricated by calendaring,extrusion or injection moulding processes. In this form, it is used in clothing and upholstery, and to make flexible hoses and tubing, flooring, to roofing membranes, and electrical cable insulation.

The molecular weight or 'K' value of the polymer in combination with additives and degree of processing, largelydefines the ultimate mechanical performance of the finished product.