Ethan Clarke
The LP (long-playing) record was introduced in 1948 by Columbia Records and is a phonograph record format characterised by a speed of 33+1⁄3 rpm, a 12- or 10-inch diameter, use of the microgroove groove specification, and a vinyl composition disk. Vinyl is a plastic made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and is a copolymer of vinyl chloride acetate. LPs are made from a plastic called PVC, which stands for polyvinyl chloride. PVC is the third most used plastic on the planet and is used because it meets all the requirements of price, usability, and durability.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic used | Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate, acetate plastics |
| Plastic weight | A typical record requires only a handful of vinyl pellets |
| Plastic origin | US-based petrochemical corporations, Thai Plastic and Chemicals Public Company Limited (Thailand) |
| Plastic usage in the US recording industry | 60 million kilos of plastic per year during sales peaks |
| Plastic usage in the US recording industry | More than 140 million kilos of greenhouse gas emissions per year |
| Plastic usage in the US recording industry | Less plastic used now than in the past |
What You'll Learn
LPs are made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride)
LPs, or Long Play records, are made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride). Introduced by Columbia Records in 1948, the LP is an analog sound storage medium, specifically a phonograph record format. It is characterised by a speed of 33+1⁄3 rpm, a 12- or 10-inch (30- or 25-cm) diameter, use of the "microgroove" groove specification, and a vinyl composition disk.
PVC is a synthetic resin made from the polymerization of vinyl chloride. It is a lightweight, rigid plastic in its pure form, but it can also be manufactured in a flexible “plasticized” form. Vinyl chloride (CH2=CHCl), also known as chloroethylene, is most often obtained by reacting ethylene with oxygen and hydrogen chloride over a copper catalyst. It is a toxic and carcinogenic gas that is handled under special protective procedures.
PVC is used in the manufacture of numerous products, including packaging films, water pipes, raincoats, shower curtains, window frames, indoor plumbing, and of course, LPs.
The use of PVC in LPs was likely due to its durability and smooth tracking of a stylus. PVC is also known for its strong resistance to chemicals, sunlight, and oxidation from water, making it a suitable material for records.
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Vinyl is a copolymer of vinyl chloride acetate
LPs, or vinyl records, are a type of phonograph record characterised by their size, speed, groove specification, and composition disc. They were introduced by Columbia Records in 1948 and quickly became the standard format for record albums during the album era. LPs are composed of vinyl, which is a copolymer of vinyl chloride acetate.
Vinyl, also known as polyvinyl chloride acetate (PVCA), is a thermoplastic copolymer of vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate. Vinyl chloride is a tough, chemically resistant material with high resistance to water absorption and no odour or taste. On the other hand, vinyl acetate provides strong adhesiveness and plasticity. When combined, these properties make vinyl an ideal material for audio recordings.
The use of vinyl for LPs offers several advantages. Firstly, it provides a quieter playing surface compared to earlier records made from shellac, which was abrasive and noisy. Secondly, vinyl is durable and can withstand repeated playing, scuffs, and scratches without significant audio degradation. Additionally, vinyl is cost-effective and meets the requirements for price and usability.
Over time, other materials have been considered for making records, such as polyethylene and polycarbonate. However, polyethylene was deemed too expensive in the 1950s, and polycarbonate may also be a more costly option. Polystyrene, another plastic explored for record-making, was found to be unsatisfactory due to its inferior qualities.
Today, in the era of the vinyl revival, most records continue to be based on the LP format, and the term "vinyl" is commonly used to refer to new records. The demand for vinyl has increased in niche markets, especially among audiophiles, DJs, and fans of indie music.
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LPs are oil products
LPs, or vinyl records, are indeed oil products. They are made of PVC ("vinyl"), which is a copolymer of vinyl chloride acetate. PVC is the third most used plastic on the planet.
The use of PVC for records was first introduced in the 1950s, when it was chosen over other plastics due to its price, usability, and durability. PVC also allowed for a smoother tracking of the stylus (the needle used to play the record). While there have been records made out of other plastics, such as polystyrene and polycarbonate, they have not been as successful as PVC records.
Prior to the introduction of PVC records, most phonograph records for home use were made of an abrasive and noisy shellac compound. These records played at 78 revolutions per minute (rpm) and were limited to less than five minutes of playing time per side. The new PVC records played at 33 1/3 rpm and offered a much quieter playing surface, with a playing time of about 25 minutes per side.
Today, in what is known as the vinyl revival era, the majority of records continue to be based on the LP format, and the term vinyl is often used to refer to all phonograph records. While the sale of LPs had declined with the introduction of cassettes and CDs, there has been a recent increase in demand for vinyl records in niche markets, particularly among audiophiles, DJs, and fans of indie music.
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LPs are petrochemical plastic products
LPs, or vinyl records, are petrochemical plastic products. They are made from PVC ("vinyl"), which is short for polyvinyl chloride. PVC is a plastic that is derived from oil.
The use of vinyl for records was introduced in the 1950s, replacing the abrasive and noisy shellac compound that was previously used. Vinyl records are fine-grooved discs that are played with a smaller-tipped "microgroove" stylus at a speed of 33+1⁄3 rpm. Each side of a 12-inch LP can play for about 25 minutes, allowing for a total runtime of approximately 50 minutes.
The choice of PVC for records was driven by various factors, including price, usability, and durability. At the time, other plastics like polyethylene were deemed too expensive, and polystyrene was not as durable. Today, PVC remains the dominant material for LPs due to its established infrastructure and suitability for the application.
The production and use of LPs contribute to the consumption of plastic and the associated environmental impacts. The music industry, including the production and distribution of LPs, has been criticised for its environmental footprint, particularly its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and pollution.
Despite the environmental concerns, LPs continue to hold cultural significance and have experienced a revival in recent years. The unique sound, feel, and visual appeal of LPs have contributed to their enduring popularity among audiophiles, DJs, and fans of indie music.
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LPs are environmentally damaging
LPs, or vinyl records, are made of PVC ("vinyl"), a copolymer of vinyl chloride acetate. They were introduced in 1948 by Columbia Records and quickly became the standard format for record albums during the "album era" of popular music.
While vinyl records have a rich history in the music industry, they are environmentally damaging. Firstly, they are made from plastic, specifically PVC, which is a petrochemical product. This means that the production of LPs contributes to the use of fossil fuels and the associated environmental impacts. During the peak of LP sales in the US, the recording industry used almost 60 million kilos of plastic annually, resulting in more than 140 million kilos of greenhouse gas emissions each year in the US alone.
The environmental impact of LPs extends beyond just the use of plastic. The production and distribution of vinyl records also contribute to their carbon footprint. The manufacturing process requires energy and resources, and the distribution of physical records involves transportation, further adding to greenhouse gas emissions.
Additionally, the revival of vinyl records in recent years has led to an increase in demand for LPs. This has resulted in a resurgence of the LP format, with most records today still following the LP standard. However, this increased demand has environmental implications. With the ingredients for LPs often manufactured offshore, the supply chain has become more complex and likely contributes to a larger carbon footprint.
Despite the environmental concerns, it is important to note that the music industry as a whole, including digital streaming services, is caught up in petro-capitalism and has its own environmental impacts. While practical resolutions are being explored, such as the development of recyclable and non-PVC records, there are challenges in terms of audio quality and consumer acceptance, as evidenced by the negative response to the Green Vinyl Records prototype recordings.
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Frequently asked questions
An LP record is made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or "vinyl", a plastic copolymer of vinyl chloride acetate. It takes only a handful of vinyl pellets to make a typical record.
In the 1950s, record manufacturers considered using polyethylene instead of vinyl, but it was too expensive. Polystyrene was also tried and tested, but it was not as durable as vinyl. PVC was a plastic that met all the requirements: price, usability, and durability.
During the sales peak of LPs in the US, the recording industry was using almost 60 million kilos of plastic a year, which is equivalent to more than 140 million kilos of greenhouse gas emissions. However, the shift to digital audio files and music streaming has resulted in even higher greenhouse gas emissions due to the energy required to store, process, and transmit data.
A group of Dutch companies has been exploring ways of making LP records from a recyclable, non-PVC material. However, their prototype recordings were not well-received due to their unusual sound and feel.
