Polyvinyl Alcohol

Description

Polyvinyl Alcohol is used as an emulsion polymerization aid, as protective colloid, to make polyvinyl acetate dispersions.

Uses of polyvinyl alcohol include:

• Paper adhesive with boric acid in spiral tube winding and solid board production
• Thickener, modifier, in polyvinyl acetate glues
• Textile sizing agent
• Paper coatings, release liner
• As a water-soluble film useful for packaging. An example is the envelope containing laundry detergent in “liqui-tabs”.
• Feminine hygiene and adult incontinence products as a biodegradable plastic backing sheet.
• Carbon dioxide barrier in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles
• As a film used in the water transfer printing process
• As a form release because materials such as epoxy do not stick to it
• Movie practical effect and children’s play putty or slime when combined with borax
• Used in eye drops (such as artificial tears to treat dry eyes) and hard contact lens solution as a lubricant
• PVA fiber, as reinforcement in concrete
• Raw material to polyvinyl nitrate (PVN) an ester of nitric acid and polyvinyl alcohol.
• As a surfactant for the formation of polymer encapsulated nanobeads
• Used in protective chemical-resistant gloves
• Used as a fixative for specimen collection, especially stool samples
• When doped with iodine, PVA can be used to polarize light
• As an embolization agent in medical procedures
• Carotid phantoms for use as synthetic vessels in Doppler flow testing
• Used in 3D printing as support structure that can then be dissolved away.

Hazards:

• Polyvinyl alcohol dust is mildly irritating to the eyes and causes discomfort if inhaled. 
• Treat as a nuisance dust and avoid inhalation or contact with eyes. 
• There are no known detrimental effects arising from short-term polyvinyl alcohol exposure either as a solid or in solution with water.
• Can cause coughing & chest discomfort