Poly(vinyl alcohol) is a synthetic polymer produced by hydrolyzing polyvinyl acetate, resulting in a material with hydroxyl groups along its backbone that confer water solubility, film-forming capability, and strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding. It is widely used in packaging films, textile sizing, adhesives, and water-soluble applications where its biodegradability and excellent barrier properties to gases and oils make it preferable to conventional polyolefins. Engineers select PVA when applications require dissolving or disintegrating films, when food-contact safety and environmental degradation are priorities, or when adhesion and tensile performance in dry conditions outweigh moisture sensitivity concerns.
Compliance & Regulations
| Property | Value | Unit | Conditions | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Compressive Strength(σc) | 0.1331 | ksi | — | ||
Elongation at Break(εf) | 186 | - | — | ||
Flexural Strength (MOR)(σf) | 2.632 | ksi | — | ||
Hardness (Vickers)(HV) | 500 | HV | — | ||
Ultimate Tensile Strength(σUTS) | 10.86 | ksi | — | ||
Young's Modulus(E) | 334.2 | ksi | — |
| Property | Value | Unit | Conditions | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Glass Transition Temperature(Tg) | 164.4 | °F | — | ||
Melting Point / Solidus(Tm) | 391.4 | °F | — | ||
Maximum Service Temperature(Tmax) | 506.6 | °F | — | ||
Thermal Conductivity(k) | 1.726 | BTU/(hr·ft·°F) | — |
| Property | Value | Unit | Conditions | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Band Gap(Eg) | 2.800 | eV | — |
| Property | Value | Unit | Conditions | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Refractive Index(n) | 1.521 | - | — |