1. Fiber Processing
Fiber processing consumes the most polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) , accounting for approximately 40% of its general uses, excluding its use as a raw material for vinylon (polyvinyl formal fiber). Its applications are broadly as follows:
Sizing: Warp yarn sizing, fabric finishing, printing and dyeing sizing, etc. Modifier: Fabric resin finishing
Binder: Binders for felt and non-woven fabrics
2. Paper Processing
Water-soluble polymers are primarily used in the papermaking industry as surface sizing agents, pigment binders, and pulper additives. Surface sizing agents used in the past were starch and pigments. Casein was the primary binder. polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) exhibits superior adhesion to cellulose compared to casein, resulting in strong film-forming properties and excellent film strength. 3. Adhesives
General paper adhesives
The main uses in this area are as follows: ①Paste various paper bags and cartons; (2) Kraft paper
Tape; (3) Adhesive paper; (4) Corrugated board; (5) Paper tubes; (6) Bookmaking; (7) Office paper
② Rewetting adhesives
Partially decomposed polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with an alcoholysis degree of 88% not only has a strong equilibrium adhesive force that is not significantly different from that of fully decomposed polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), but is also easily soluble in water and has excellent rewetting adhesive force. Taking advantage of this property, partially decomposed polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is widely used as a rewetting adhesive
4. Emulsion stabilizer
Taking advantage of the surface activity of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), it is used as a stabilizing emulsifier in industry.
Its largest use is as a stabilizing emulsifier for vinyl acetate monomer in vinyl acetate emulsions.
It can also be used as a dispersion stabilizer for vinyl acetate suspension polymerization.
5. Films
polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) aqueous solution has good film-forming properties. Fiber packaging films are primarily made of cellophane, with polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, and polypropylene also available. However, vinylon films offer excellent transparency, glossiness, anti-static properties, and toughness. While more expensive than other films, they still hold a significant market share.
Release films and water-soluble films that utilize their solubility in water are also used for food packaging, with a focus on excellent airtightness. Due to the unique properties of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films, food packaging films are expected to see significant growth in the future.
6. Molded Products
Thick sheets and strips molded from PVA can replace leather and rubber products in specialized applications. PVA sheets offer excellent mechanical properties such as tensile strength, abrasion resistance, and flex resistance, as well as excellent anti-static properties, oil resistance, and resistance to organic chemicals. These molded products possess numerous advantages.
