Skip to main content

Engineering applications of PVC and conducting polymer

Short answer

PVC is used for cable insulation, pipes, and window frames. Conducting polymers find applications in rechargeable batteries, OLEDs, antistatic coatings, and sensors.

What are the engineering application of: (i) Polyvinyl chloride (ii) Conducting polymer.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

PVC is made by addition polymerisation of vinyl chloride, CH₂=CHCl. It is strong, rigid, tough, flame resistant, chemically resistant and cheap, and it is a good electrical insulator. Plasticisers make it flexible. Engineering applications:

  • Insulation of electrical wires and cables (including computer and network cables).
  • Water pipes, drainage pipes and electrical conduits.
  • Window and door frames, floor tiles, roofing sheets.
  • Raincoats, hoses, artificial leather, and credit/ID cards.

Conducting polymers

Examples: polyacetylene (doped), polyaniline, polypyrrole.

  • Rechargeable lightweight batteries and supercapacitors.
  • Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and flexible displays, organic solar cells and transistors.
  • Antistatic coatings and EMI shielding for electronic devices.
  • Chemical sensors and biosensors, artificial muscles.
  • Anti-corrosion paints.

✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)

Related questions

All Engineering Chemistry chapter 4 questions →