---
title: "Engineering applications of PVC and conducting polymer"
subject: "Engineering Chemistry"
chapter: 4
key: "semester_2/engineering_chemistry:pvc-conducting-polymer"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_2/engineering_chemistry/pvc-conducting-polymer
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Engineering applications of PVC and conducting polymer

Engineering Chemistry · Chapter 4: Engineering Polymers

- Asked in: 2069 Bhadra
- Video: [applications of conducting polymers](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkq729N1qjk) — sakuntala samuelson
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_2/engineering_chemistry/pvc-conducting-polymer
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_2/engineering_chemistry/chapter-4

## Question

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

## Answer

#### 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.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. How is PVC made?
   A. Condensation of phenol and formaldehyde
   B. Polymerisation of tetrafluoroethylene
   C. Addition polymerisation of vinyl chloride, CH2=CHCl
   D. Condensation of diamine and diacid
   Answer: C. PVC is formed by addition polymerisation of vinyl chloride. (Key point: PVC monomer)

2. Why is PVC suited to insulating electrical cables?
   A. It conducts electricity well
   B. It is biodegradable
   C. It is a liquid at room temperature
   D. It is a good electrical insulator and flame resistant
   Answer: D. Insulating, flame-resistant, cheap PVC (plasticised) is used for wire insulation. (Key point: PVC use)

3. What do plasticisers do to PVC?
   A. They make it flexible
   B. They make it conducting
   C. They cross-link it
   D. They make it biodegradable
   Answer: A. Plasticisers soften rigid PVC for hoses, raincoats and artificial leather. (Key point: Plasticisers)

4. Which is an engineering application of conducting polymers?
   A. Water pipes and drains
   B. OLEDs, flexible displays and antistatic or EMI shielding coatings
   C. Window frames and floor tiles
   D. Non-stick pans
   Answer: B. Conducting polymers are used in electronics such as OLEDs, batteries, sensors and shielding. (Key point: Conducting polymer use)

## Related in Engineering Chemistry

- [Conducting and biodegradable polymers; applications](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_2%2Fengineering_chemistry%3Aconducting-biodegradable) — Engineering Chemistry, chapter 4
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- [Paints, types and applications in engineering](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_2%2Fengineering_chemistry%3Apaints-types-applications) — Engineering Chemistry, chapter 8, asked 2×
- [Biodegradable polymer; carbon reinforced polymers, chalcogenide glasses](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_2%2Fengineering_chemistry%3Abiodegradable-carbon-chalcogenide) — Engineering Chemistry, chapter 4
- [Inorganic polymer; network polymer of sulphur; silicones](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_2%2Fengineering_chemistry%3Ainorganic-polymer-sulphur) — Engineering Chemistry, chapter 4
- [Cross linked polymer; inorganic polymer; chalcogenide](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_2%2Fengineering_chemistry%3Acrosslinked-inorganic-chalcogenide) — Engineering Chemistry, chapter 4

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- [Engineering surveying; two-way principle application](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fsurveying_i%3Aengineering-surveying-two-way-angle) — Surveying I, chapter 1
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