PVC is the third-most widely produced polymer. PVC comes in two basic forms: rigid (sometimes abbreviated as RPVC) and flexible. PVC has a high strength to weight ratio and is weather resistant. PVC is easy to machine.

PVC’s relatively low cost, biological resistance, chemical resistance and workability has resulted in it being used for a wide variety of applications. It is used for sewerage pipes and other pipe applications where cost or vulnerability to corrosion limits the use of metal. PVC shows high mechanical strengths, tensile strength and can be used in applications ranging in temperature from +5 °F to +140 °F.