About rigid PVC

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is one of the earliest synthetic materials created by scientists. It was first obtained in 1835. The search for ways to produce PVC industrially began in 1912, and in 1931 BASF produced the first tonnes of the material.

Polyvinyl chloride is a thermoplastic. Pure PVC is a powder consisting of 43% ethylene (a petrochemical product) and 57% bound chlorine obtained from common salt. To make sheet plastics and window profiles, stabilisers, plasticisers, pigments and processing aids are added to the powder.


PVC plastics have good mechanical strength and moisture resistance, good electrical insulating properties and good chemical resistance: they do not dissolve in petrol or paraffin and resist acids and alkalis. They also look attractive and are easy to cut, thermoform, weld and bond.

In addition to the properties above, rigid PVC sheets have a density of 1.4 g/cm³, a smooth surface (gloss or matt), good stiffness, good impact resistance, a maximum service temperature of 70–75 °C and long-term weather resistance. Depending on the additives, rigid PVC sheets can be used outdoors for 3 to 15 years without any change in colour or mechanical properties. At sub-zero temperatures the impact strength of PVC plastics decreases.

The flat surface of rigid PVC sheets is well suited to screen printing and lamination. In construction, rigid PVC is used for interior wall cladding, window reveals and plastic sandwich panels. In industry, it is used for office equipment housings, and for tanks and air ducts that need good chemical resistance. In advertising, rigid PVC sheets are used to make exhibition stands, thermoformed signs and other products.

Rigid PVC is self-extinguishing.

Rigid PVC sheets are easy to saw, mill and thermoform without pre-drying.