PVC :: Why do we use PVC??

Once you have cut a master laquer, you have metal stampers created and have records pressed from them. Discuss manufacturing here. (Record Matrix Electroforming- Plating, Vinyl Record Pressing.)

Moderators: piaptk, tragwag, Steve E., Aussie0zborn

Post Reply
User avatar
SUNBEARS
Posts: 82
Joined: Fri Apr 12, 2013 8:44 pm
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Contact:

PVC :: Why do we use PVC??

Post: # 49194Unread post SUNBEARS
Thu Feb 01, 2018 9:00 pm

Curious why PVC is what we use and not some other hard, less toxic, plastic?? Any insight?

Cheers,
J
The loudness war is over, if you want it! - http://www.berlinmastering.co

User avatar
vondeu
Posts: 10
Joined: Thu Sep 28, 2017 11:42 am

Re: PVC :: Why do we use PVC??

Post: # 49245Unread post vondeu
Tue Feb 06, 2018 3:24 am

Hi J,

Quite a interesting question, but at this point i dont have a the right answer to it. Maybe the more experienced guys have it though.

Without starting a new topic:

At which point does PVC gets really toxic and what is a good way for a factory/operator to keep the work envoirement as healthy as possible? Savety is in my opinion in all cases the most important thing.

Have a good day,

Cheers,
Thomas

User avatar
Aussie0zborn
Posts: 1822
Joined: Sat Mar 11, 2006 8:23 am
Location: Australia
Contact:

Re: PVC :: Why do we use PVC??

Post: # 49247Unread post Aussie0zborn
Tue Feb 06, 2018 9:15 am

It's cheap (compared to other plastics), low melting point therefore faster to mould, rigid, lasts forever, good wear resistance and able to fill the nooks and crannies of the groove with ease.

We used PVC from Australia, USA, Italy, Germany and China.
Only the American producti made by Keysor-Century Corp carried warnings that it was carcenogenic.
The Chinese product made by China Record Corporation would turn to charcoal and give off noxious fumes when overheated. You could feel the carcinogens filling your lungs and nasal passages. Just horrendous. This would only occur when fast-heating steam-heated extruders and not keeping an eye on the nozzle temperature.

Unless you burn the PVC and inhale the fumes, I can't imagine you are in any real danger.

User avatar
JLenahan2
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Aug 19, 2013 6:49 pm

Re: PVC :: Why do we use PVC??

Post: # 49947Unread post JLenahan2
Sat Mar 31, 2018 8:04 pm

Expanding on what aussie said, pvc compounds are a balance between quality and financial feasibility for the presser. Sure there could be many materials which give advantages over pvc, but if the presser cant make any money, why bother? Lower melt temps correlate to lower energy/utility costs on your extruders, good flow properties decreases chances of nonfill and thus low reject rates, cheaper material means reasonably priced albums for retail customers, etc.

Example: One material which might have better flow properties than pvc would equate to faster cycle times and more records produced per minute, but it might be to soft and the stylus will scratch/cut your grooves and there goes quality or the record would warp.

I will add that if most of the large labels like RCA, Sony, JVC, etc with their own compounds, pressing plants, and R&D departments back in the day could have found a better material which correlated to added dollars in their pocket without hurting quality to a point it wouldnt sell, those materials/formulations/compounds would have been implemented long ago.

As far as the toxicity point goes, the resin itself can only produce HCl vapors upon degradation which is why a stabilizer is always incorporated into a compound. As long as the overheating is brief, the stabilizer will bond with any labile chlorine to prevent HCl formation. Might see some staining once pressed depending on type of stabilizer. If your that worried, get vented barrel extruders and some fume hoods to avoid exposure to any vapors created but, like aussie said, simply not burning the material should do the trick.

Post Reply