Polyvinyl Alcohol, PVA, PVA 1788, PVA 0588, PVA 2688, 1788, 2488, 0588, 9002-89-5

Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) – Properties and Applications

Physical Properties

• Appearance: White or slightly yellowish powder/granules

• Solubility: Water-soluble; depends on hydrolysis degree and temperature

• Melting Point: No sharp melting point; decomposes above 200°C

• Density: 1.19–1.31 g/cm³

• Viscosity: Varies with molecular weight and hydrolysis degree

• Film Formation: Produces strong, flexible, transparent films resistant to oils and greases

Chemical Properties

• Structure: Polyhydroxy polymer with multiple –OH groups (hydrophilic)

• Hydrolysis Degree: Fully or partially hydrolyzed, affecting solubility and performance

• Chemical Resistance: Stable against oils and solvents; degrades in strong acids/bases

• Reactivity: Hydroxyl groups allow chemical modification and crosslinking

• Biodegradability: Partially biodegradable, eco-friendly

• Thermal Behavior: Stable at moderate temperatures; decomposes at high heat releasing acetic acid

Key Variants

• PVA 1788: Insoluble in cold water; dissolves at ~88°C

• PVA 0588: Best cold-water solubility; low viscosity

• PVA 2688: Limited cold-water solubility; dissolves better at higher temperatures

Viscosity Grades

• PVA 05-88: ~5 mPas

• PVA 17-88: ~24 mPas

• PVA 24-88: ~47 mPas

Applications

Industrial

• Adhesives: Wood, paper, textiles

• Coatings & Films: Water-resistant, biodegradable packaging films

• Textiles: Sizing agent, improves yarn strength

• Paper Industry: Binder, enhances durability and oil resistance

Medical & Cosmetic

• Hydrogels: Wound dressings, moisture-retaining medical gels

• Contact Lenses: Hydrophilic, biocompatible material

• Drug Delivery: Controlled-release tablet coatings

• Cosmetics: Thickener in gels, lotions, peel-off masks

Other Uses

• Food Packaging: Edible and biodegradable films

• Electronics: Polymer electrolyte in lithium-ion batteries

• 3D Printing: Water-soluble support material

• Water Treatment: Filtration membranes

• Agriculture: Soil stabilizer, water-retention agent

PVA vs. PVAc

• Polyvinyl Acetate (PVAc): Derived from vinyl acetate monomer; used in glues, paints, coatings; not water-soluble.

• Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA): Produced by hydrolyzing PVAc; water-soluble, biocompatible, non-toxic.

Sectoral Suitability & Usage Ratios for PVA

🔹 Notes for ERP/Product Catalog Integration:

• Ratios are indicative ranges; exact percentages depend on formulation and supplier specifications.

• PVA grades (e.g., 0588, 1788, 2488, 2688) should be mapped to sector-specific needs:

  • Low viscosity (0588): textile sizing, coatings

  • Medium viscosity (1788/17-88): adhesives, paper, cosmetics

  • High viscosity (2488/2688):films, biomedical, packaging

Sector-by-sector breakdown for Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA):

1. Adhesives

• How it is used: As a binder in wood glue, paper glue, textile adhesives, labels, and tapes.

• Purpose: Provides strong adhesion and water resistance.

• Typical usage ratio: 20–30% PVA in formulations.

2. Textiles

• How it is used: For yarn sizing, fabric finishing, and strength enhancement.

• Purpose: Improves yarn resistance to breakage and facilitates dyeing.

• Typical usage ratio: 5–15%, depending on yarn/fabric type.

3. Paper Industry

• How it is used: As a binder and coating agent.

• Purpose: Increases paper durability and oil resistance.

• Typical usage ratio: 5–20%, depending on grade.

4. Packaging

• How it is used: In biodegradable films and water-soluble capsules (detergents, agrochemicals).

• Purpose: Provides eco-friendly packaging solutions.

• Typical usage ratio: 10–40%, depending on film thickness.

5. Cosmetics

• How it is used: In lotions, gels, peel-off masks, and as a thickener.

• Purpose: Enhances viscosity and film formation.

• Typical usage ratio: 1–5%.

6. Medical

• How it is used: In hydrogels, wound dressings, drug-release coatings, and contact lenses.

• Purpose: Moisture retention, biocompatibility, and non-toxicity for medical devices.

• Typical usage ratio: 5–15%, depending on product type.

7. Electronics

• How it is used: As a polymer electrolyte stabilizer in lithium-ion batteries, and in photo paper coatings.

• Purpose: Provides stability and protective layers.

• Typical usage ratio: 2–10%.

8. Agriculture

• How it is used: As a soil stabilizer, water-retention agent, and in controlled-release fertilizer capsules.

• Purpose: Improves soil water capacity and enables slow-release fertilizers.

• Typical usage ratio: 5–20%.

9. 3D Printing

• How it is used: As a support material in filament form.

• Purpose: Dissolves in water after printing, leaving clean structures.

• Typical usage ratio: 100% PVA filament (support role).

10. Water Treatment

• How it is used: In filtration membranes and industrial wastewater treatment systems.

• Purpose: Filters harmful substances and supports chemical separation.

• Typical usage ratio: 10–30%, depending on membrane design.

Main PVA Varieties

• PVA 0588

  • Type: Low viscosity, partially hydrolyzed

  • Properties: Good cold-water solubility, excellent film formation, chemical resistance

  • Applications: Textile sizing, coatings, adhesives, paper processing

• PVA 1788

  • Type: Medium viscosity, partially hydrolyzed

  • Properties: Requires hot water (~88°C) for dissolution, strong binding capacity

  • Applications: Adhesives (wood, paper), textiles, cosmetics, contact lenses

• PVA 2488

  • Type: High viscosity, partially hydrolyzed

  • Properties: Strong film formation, high stability, resistant to oils/chemicals

  • Applications: Packaging films, biomedical hydrogels, coatings

• PVA 2688

  • Type: High viscosity, partially hydrolyzed

  • Properties: Limited cold-water solubility, dissolves better at higher temperatures

  • Applications: Biodegradable food packaging, medical hydrogels, water treatment membranes

Alternatives to PVA

Summary:

• PVA grades differ mainly by viscosity and hydrolysis degree:

  • Low viscosity (0588): Textiles, coatings

  • Medium viscosity (1788): Adhesives, cosmetics

  • High viscosity (2488/2688): Packaging, biomedical, water treatment

• Alternatives (PVAc, CMC, HPMC, starch polymers, PEG, PLA) are chosen when biodegradability, natural origin, or specific solubility profiles are required, but they don’t cover as wide a range of applications as PVA.