Crystallinity in Poly(vinyl Chloride)

Commercial poly(viny1 chloride) (PVC) contains approximately 10% crystallinity. This relatively low level of order has a surprisingly significant effect on both its processing and properties. In this review, the nature of PVC crystallinity, which is very different from that found in more conventional crystalline polymers, will be discussed. Methods of measuring crystallinity will be considered, and aspects of PVC behavior which are affected by its crystalline nature will be highlighted. The majority of work reported in this area is concerned with bulk and suspension polymerized polymers, so this review will focus on these polymer types.