Maya Ellison
Plastic is everywhere, with over 70% of daily necessities made from it. But how can you tell if a plastic item is made from PVC? One way is to look for the plastic identification code: three arrows forming a triangle with a number in the middle. PVC's code is 3. You can also try the crease test: fold a piece sharply, then release it. If it relaxes back to being flat, it's probably PVC. Alternatively, try the floating test: PVC is heavy and will sink in water. Finally, if you burn PVC, the flame will be blue at the top and green at the bottom, with smoke, and it will be hard to soften.
How to tell if plastic is PVC
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Identification code | 3 |
| Raw material colour | Yellow and translucent |
| Transparency | Good |
| Strength | High |
| Flexibility | Good |
| Brittleness | Not easy to be brittle |
| Softness/Hardness | Can be both soft and hard |
| Crease test | Does not retain a crease |
| Burn test | Blue and green flame with smoke; difficult to soften after burning; pungent sour smell |
| Density | High |
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What You'll Learn
Look for a code: a triangle of arrows with a number in the middle. PVC is code 3
One of the easiest ways to identify PVC plastic is by looking for a code. This code will be made up of a triangle of arrows with a number in the middle. These international codes are used to identify different types of plastics based on their chemical makeup and grading for recycling. PVC plastic will have the number 3 as its code.
PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is one of the most common types of plastic. It is used in a wide range of applications, from packaging materials to pipes and building materials. It can be divided into soft and hard PVC, with the difference being the use of a softener. Soft PVC is not toxic, while hard PVC is considered hazardous and toxic.
If you are unable to locate a code, there are other methods to identify PVC. One such method is the crease test, where you fold a piece of the plastic sharply and then let it relax. If it returns to its original flat shape without a crease, it is likely PVC. Another method is the floating test, which involves placing the plastic in water and observing its buoyancy. Due to its high density, polyvinyl chloride will sink rather than float.
Additionally, you can observe the reaction of the plastic when exposed to heat. PVC does not burn easily and will extinguish once removed from the fire source. It produces a blue and green flame with smoke and a pungent sour smell. However, it is important to exercise caution when conducting such tests, as burning plastic can be hazardous.
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Try the crease test: PVC won't retain a crease
One way to identify whether a piece of plastic is made of PVC is to try the crease test. This test involves folding a portion of the plastic sharply to create a crease and then letting it relax. If the plastic is PVC, it will likely lose the crease and return to its flat, crease-free state. This is because PVC typically doesn't hold creases well.
To perform the crease test, start by taking a small piece of the plastic you want to identify. If you are working with a larger piece of plastic, cut a small section to work with. Then, using your hands, bend a corner or edge of the plastic sharply, creating a defined crease. Try to make the crease as sharp and pronounced as possible.
Once you've made the crease, carefully unfold the plastic and lay it flat. Let the plastic relax for a few seconds. If the plastic is made of PVC, you will likely notice that it gradually loses the crease and returns to its original flat state. Non-PVC plastics are more likely to retain the crease.
It's important to note that while the crease test can be a helpful indicator, it may not always provide a definitive answer. The accuracy of the test can depend on various factors, such as the specific type of plastic and its flexibility. Additionally, it's possible that some non-PVC plastics may also lose a crease, so a more conclusive test may be necessary in certain situations.
For a more comprehensive identification, you can combine the crease test with other methods, such as visual inspection and the burn test (performed with caution and in a safe environment). Visual inspection involves examining the colour and appearance of the plastic. For example, PVC often has a bluish tint due to the addition of ultramarine and other colourants. The burn test, though destructive, can also provide insights. When burned, PVC typically produces black smoke and a strong, irritating odour, and the burning edge may display black crystals. Remember to exercise caution when handling plastics and performing any tests to avoid any potential hazards.
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Check its density: put it in water and see if it floats
One way to identify whether a plastic is PVC is to check its density by putting it in water and observing whether it floats or sinks. This method can help you determine the weight of the plastic.
PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is denser than water and will sink when placed in it. Other plastics with a density that will cause them to sink include PET (or PETE), which is used for single-use drink bottles, and PS (polystyrene), which is used for hot cups and food containers. These plastics have densities ranging from 1.05 to 1.38-1.39.
On the other hand, plastics with a density lower than that of water will float. The only common plastics with densities less than 1.0 are PP (polypropylene) and PE (polyethylene). These plastics will float in water.
It is important to note that the float test is not the only method to identify PVC. Other methods include the crease test, where you fold a portion of the plastic sharply and observe whether it retains the crease, and the burn test, where you burn a small piece of the plastic and observe its reaction. PVC typically loses its crease and does not continue to burn once the flame source is removed.
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Burn it: if the flame is blue and green, it's PVC
Burning plastic is not recommended, as it releases toxic gases that are harmful to human health and the environment. However, if you choose to burn plastic to identify its type, please do so with caution and in a well-ventilated area.
PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is one of the most hazardous types of plastic. It has a high flashpoint, or the temperature at which it begins to burn, of 390 degrees Fahrenheit, compared to wood, which typically burns at around 250 degrees Fahrenheit. This means that PVC is much harder to ignite than other materials.
When PVC burns, it releases hydrogen chloride gas, which combines with free hydrogen released by the burning PVC to create non-flammable gas. This self-extinguishing effect is why PVC tends to smoke as it burns and can be challenging to keep lit.
The flame produced by burning PVC will typically have a blue and green colour, indicating the presence of chlorine in the plastic. This distinct colour differentiation can be a key indicator that the plastic you are burning is PVC.
It is important to note that PVC is not completely fireproof, and while it is fire-retardant, it can still catch and sustain a flame under certain conditions. Always exercise caution when handling and burning PVC or any other type of plastic.
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Look at its colour: PVC raw material is yellow and translucent
One way to identify PVC plastic is by looking at its colour. PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, in its raw material form is yellow and translucent. It has good transparency, high strength, and flexibility, and is not easy to break.
PVC is one of the most hazardous types of plastic and used to be the second-most used plastic after polyethylene. It is important to distinguish PVC from other plastics, as it can be toxic depending on its composition. For example, soft PVC is not toxic, whereas hard PVC is.
The colour of the flame when PVC is burned can also be used to identify it. When burned, PVC produces a yellow flame with green tips. This is because PVC contains chlorine, which, when heated, releases an irritated stench. However, burning plastic is not recommended as a method of identification, as it is harmful to health and the environment.
Instead, a simple way to identify PVC is to look for a serial number or a plastic identification code on the casing of the product. This code is universal and is made of a triangle composed of three clockwise rotating arrows with a number representing the material in the middle. PVC has the code 3.
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Frequently asked questions
Locate three arrows forming a triangle with a specific number in the middle. This is an international plastic identification code. PVC items have the number 3.
Try the crease test. Fold the plastic sharply to put a crease in it, then let it relax. If it goes back to being flat with no crease, it's probably PVC.
PVC stands for polyvinyl chloride.
The raw material is yellow and translucent, has good transparency, high strength, good flexibility, and is not easy to be brittle.
PVC is used in packaging materials, pipes, doors, and windows in the building materials industry.
