Additive

A material used to modify the properties, processing, or end use of a base polymer. The amount of additive used is usually expressed in parts per hundred (by weight) of the total resin in the formulation.

Calibration

The weighing of carefully timed dispenses of chemicals from the metering ports of the mixing head in order to set an exact component ratio or an exact throughput of all chemicals

Chlorine

Produced by electrolysis of brine (salt and water), chlorine is used to produce EDC.

Compound

Plastics preparations in the form of granules, pellets, etc. ready for use in processing machines; depending on the intended use, stabilizers, fillers, pigments, reinforcing agents, etc. can be added to the basic resin

A measurement of the mass per unit volume. It is measured and expressed in pounds per cubic foot (pcf) or kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m3). (Test Method ASTM D3547) Also see www.pfa.org/jifsg/jifsgs1.html

DINP

Diisononyl phthalate. A commonly used phthalate (type of plasticizer)

Durometer (Hardness)

The resistance to indentation under conditions which do not puncture the elastomer surface. The most frequently used device is the spring loaded Shore Durometer. Durometer is measured using several scales, with a value from 0 to 100 its result, with a higher number meaning a harder material.

EDC

1,2-dichloroethane, also called ethylene dichloride is a raw material used to produce VCM (vinyl chloride monomer) through thermal cracking: either by reacting ethylene with chlorine (direct chlorination) or by reacting ethylene with dry chlorine and oxygen (oxichlorination.)

Elongation

The percent that a specially shaped sample will stretch from its original length before breaking. (Test Method ASTM D3574)

Ethylene

An olefin (CH₂CH₂), ethylene is an colorless gas with a sweet odor. It occurs in petroleum and natural gas, but is most often produced by thermal cracking of hydrocarbons in the presence of steam. Ethylene is an input to EDC.

EVCM

European Council of Vinyls Manufacturer, all western European PVC producer are represented in this organization, which is leading member of Vinyl2010, the body managing the Voluntary Commitment of the industry chain

Green Paper (PVC)

In 1996 the EU Commission started the "horizontal study on PVC", consisting of 5 individual studies. The outcome of these together with other information is the body of the "green paper on PVC" issued in 2000

Hardness

See Durometer

Phthalate

Phthalates are a family of compounds made from alcohols and phthalic anhydride. Phthalates are used primarily as plasticizers, to soften PVC.

Plasticizer

A substance used primarily to soften PVC, plasticizers also impart specific characteristics like processability, durability and elongation.

Plastisol

Viscous paste formed by mixing PVC resin with a plasticizer. It is used as a dip or spray coat, as well as in several molding processes.

Polymer

Any of numerous natural and synthetic compounds of usually high molecular weight consisting of up to millions of repeated linked units, each a relatively light and simple molecule.

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

Plastic polymer composed of carbon and hydrogen atoms, with the formula -(CH2-CHCl)n-; its monomer is vinyl chloride; PVC is a thermoplastic suitable for processing using most techniques.

Resin

Another name for the PVC portion of a vinyl plastisol compound. Chlorine (~57%), produced by electrolysis of saltwater brine, and ethylene, a by-product of crude oil, are combined to form vinyl chloride monomer, which is polymerized to make polyvinyl chloride (PVC.)

Shear Strength

Measures the maximum shear stress that may be sustained before a material will rupture. Shear is typically reported as MPa (psi) based on the area of the sheared edge. Shear testing is commonly used with adhesives and can be used in either a tensile or comprehensive method.

Shear Stress

Stress applied parallel or tangentially to the face of a material, rather than perpendicularly

Shore A,  Shore D Durometer

Two most common scales for measuring the hardness of a product. The Shore A scale measures softer products, Shore D harder ones.

The test was named for the inventor of the durometer device, Albert F. Shore.

Tear Strength

Resistance to tear from the maximum force registered by the testing machine and the thickness of the specimen, expressed as the force in newtons (or kilograms, pounds-force) required to tear a specimen 1 m (or 1cm, 1 inch) in thickness.

Tear Strength = F / t

Tensile Strength

Maximum amount of tensile stress (pulling) a specimen can be subjected to before failure measured in units of force per unit area (e.g., psi.)

Thermoplastic

Plastic with long chains joined only by weak bonds, enabling repeated heating and remodeling.

VCM

Vinyl chloride monomer is a colorless gas or liquid produced by cracking ethylene dichloride. It is used primarily to produce PVC.

Vulcanizing agent

Additive that causes a chemical reaction, cross linking polymer chains to add strength and resiliency.