Polyvinyl Ethers (PVE)
Properties and Applications
Polyvinyl ethers (PVE) are either viscous oils or soft and tacky rubbery materials depending on the chemical composition and molecular weight. Their glass transition temperature is well below room temperature. They are known for their elasticity and excellent resistance to hydrolysis (being ether-based, PVEs do not hydrolyze). They also have fairly good weatherability and heat resistance since they do not have double bonds in the backbone and are miscible with water and soluble in many solvents. They are usually none hazardous substances and not irritants to skin.
Polyvinyl ethers are widely used in adhesive and coating formulations. They are also used as synthetic lubricants, mainly as refrigerant oils. The synthetic vinyl ether oils (PVE) have excellent lubricating properties. However, they provide not better lubrication than petroleum-based lubricants such as mineral oils, but they do have a narrow molecular weight distribution which gives the oil very consistent physical properties.
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