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The constituents of PVC-U windows PVC-U is based on the polyvinyl chloride polymer, however, in order to make the material suitable for use as a window, a number of different additives and stabilisers are used. These special heat and UV stabiliser additives are an essential part of any PVC formulations destined for the manufacture of PVC-U windows. The choice of stabiliser will largely depend on the particular end-application, and there are good technical reasons why certain stabiliser types are used for specific applications. Stabilisers often comprise a metallic component together with various organic compounds - the simple elemental form of a metal is never used. There are several types of metal salts and soaps used to stabilise PVC for window applications, and some specific examples are discussed below: Any of the currently available stabiliser systems can be used in safety to produce PVC-U windows, doors or conservatories, provided compliance with the current chemical and product specific regulations is maintained. The different metallic based stabilisers are used for a variety of good technical reasons and they have provided society with very valuable products, varying from life saving medical applications to high quality, long life building products (26). Click here to download an overview note on "Metallic Stabilisers and PVC".
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26. Anon, (1996) "Current legislative position of stabilisers used in PVC - A Risk Assessment", published jointly by the European Council of Vinyls Manufacturers, The European Lead Stabilisers Association and the Organotin Environmental Programme Association. |