Answer: PVC is not a type of rubber.
What is PVC?
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is a common thermoplastic polymer manufactured from vinyl chloride monomers via two mainstream industrial processes.It possesses stable corrosion resistance and insulation, supporting diverse processing methods for industrial and civilian production.Modified soft PVC has flexibility but poor resilience, with elasticity far weaker than rubber materials.
Comparison between PVC and Rubber
Chemical structure: PVC has stable saturated molecular chains with few active double bonds. Rubber's elasticity comes from tangled flexible molecular chains, while double bonds only serve for vulcanization and cross-linking.
Physical properties: PVC has poor heat resistance and low elasticity. Vulcanized rubber features excellent resilience and wear resistance, suitable for repeated deformation scenarios.
Processing methods: PVC is recyclable thermoplastic that can be remolded by heating. Traditional vulcanized rubber is non-remoldable thermoset elastomer, and TPE/TPR are independent recyclable elastomers.
Cost and environment: PVC is low-cost with controllable modern eco-friendly modifications. Most virgin rubber is pricier, yet some reclaimed rubber is cheaper; rubber processing is more complex and strictly regulated.
Industrial Applications of PVC and Rubber
PVC: Mainly used for pipes, cable sheaths, building profiles, artificial leather, flooring and disposable protective supplies.
Rubber: Applied in products requiring elasticity and shock absorption, including tires, seals, conveyor belts, latex gloves and rubber soles.
Final
PVC is thermoplastic plastic while conventional vulcanized rubber is thermoset elastomer, with no inclusion relation. TPE/TPR are intermediate elastomers combining the advantages of both and easy to confuse with them. No material is universally superior. Proper selection depends on actual working conditions, performance needs and costs. Simple tensile, heating and combustion tests can effectively distinguish soft PVC, TPE and conventional rubber.
