One of the indispensable substances of daily life is undoubtedly polymer. PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride) is an important member of this very large family of polymers and is a modern synthetic (artificial) material. Produced from two natural resources, oil and salt, PVC was one of the first plastics to develop commercially. Today, PVC is used in children's toys, water collection and distribution pipes, bottle and bag production, various sports equipment, automobile upholstery and wiper systems, window profiles, batteries, electrical insulation materials, cables, credit cards, food containers, blood bags, serum tubes, It has a wide range of uses in our modern lives, from medical supplies such as surgical gloves and heart catheters to many different applications.
The following basic features lie behind the widespread use of PVC in all areas of our lives and in window profiles: Durability and lightness: Compared to wood and aluminum materials used in window profile and door production, PVC material is more durable and functional. PVC's abrasion resistance, lightness, good mechanical strength and toughness are very important technical advantages in its use in building and construction applications.
Fire resistance: PVC is naturally difficult to ignite because it contains chlorine atoms in its polymer chain, meaning its ignition temperature is high. Combustion stops immediately when the heat source is removed. This feature makes PVC suitable for use in windows, doors, coverings, etc. making it particularly suitable for applications. On the other hand, wooden material burns easily and carries the flame.
Longevity: Before obtaining products from PVC material, PVC is combined with a series of special additives. Additives determine the mechanical properties, brightness, weather resistance, color, clarity and electrical properties of the product.
PVC is resistant to weathering, chemical decay, corrosion, shock and abrasion. For this reason, it is preferred by customers in products exposed to open air and in many different places where long life is required. For example, it is estimated that 75% of PVC pipes will have a lifespan of more than 40 years (with the potential to increase to 100 years). In other applications such as window profiles and cable insulation, studies have shown that more than 60% of them have a lifespan of more than 40 years. Wood is short-lived.
Economy: PVC's lightness, durability and design flexibility provide price advantages in many applications. PVC components used in construction offer excellent price/performance advantages. PVC does not require maintenance and paint, which is a definite requirement for wood. PVC is durable and very suitable for long-term and maintenance-free applications. The construction and usage costs of PVC are lower than aluminum and wood.
Environmentally friendly: In evaluations and independent studies that take into account the life cycle from production to destruction and the degree of environmental impact during this cycle, the environmental impact of PVC has been found positive when compared to other materials used in window profile and door production. All materials produced from PVC, a recyclable material, that are no longer in use are repeatedly reshaped and turned into products.
Good insulator: The heat conduction coefficient of PVC material is better, that is, lower, compared to wood and aluminum materials used in window profile and door production (λPVC= 0.16 W/mK, λALUMINUM= 200 W/mK and λWOOD= 0.20 W/ mK). Therefore, PVC is the best material used in window profile and door production in terms of heat saving. In addition to heat, PVC is a real insulation material against sound, moisture and similar external effects.
Versatility: The physical properties of PVC provide designers with a high degree of freedom when designing. For this reason, PVC is widely used in the construction, packaging, medical, electrical, electronic, automotive sectors, in short, in every aspect of our lives.
Reusability: Construction materials such as pipes, window profiles and floor coverings can be reused at the end of their life. With this feature, PVC provides significant benefits in terms of environment and economy.
Comparison of PVC and Aluminum Windows in Terms of Carbon Footprint
Carbon footprint is a term used to describe the amount of carbon that each person causes to be emitted into the atmosphere during activities such as transportation, heating, energy consumption, or during the production stages of any product they purchase. In other words, it refers to the total amount of carbon gas released into the atmosphere during the production of the energy required for every product we buy or every activity we carry out.
Climate change, which has been going on for millions of years under the influence of natural processes, has increased its impact and damage even more today due to human-induced environmental pollution. It is a fact that every person and organization has a responsibility to properly transfer the clean and healthy environmental heritage we received from the past to future generations.