Properties of Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) How to make PVA

Testing some of the properties Procedure: 1. Place 100ml of Water into a 250 ml Beaker and heat to boiling. 2. Measure 4.0 grams of PVA solid into a 100 ml Beaker and add 20 ml of ethandiol. 3. Slowly pour the PVA solution into the boiling water with constant stirring. Be sure to add the PVA slowly to guarantee a homogeneous solution. 4. Note the properties of the solution as the PVA solution mixes with the water. 5. Once the PVA has mixed with the water, remove the beaker from the heating source using a Hot Hand or Glove. 6. Place 5 mls of the PVA solution in a small aluminum pan and evaporate the water from the PVA by heating. Remove the pan from the heating source when the water has evaporated. Note the properties of the residue.

7. Place 10 ml of the PVA solution into a graduated cylinder. 8. Slowly add Propanone (Acetone) to the PVA in the graduated cylinder. 9. Remove any solid produced at the interface of the two liquids. Dry the product with a paper towel. 10. Place 20 mls of the PVA solution into a small dish. 11. Slowly add to the dish with stirring the saturated borate ion solution provided. 12. Note the properties of this mixture. Remove any gel or solid produced and record any properties of this material. Questions 1. What molecular feature (Functional Group) on the PVA molecule allows the PVA to be miscible in the water? 2. How does temperature affect the solubility of the solid PVA? 3. Does propanone mix with water? Is Propanone a very polar molecule? 4. Is PVA soluble in Propanone? 5. When you added the Propanone to the PVA solution what was the solid produced at the interface? 6. What are some of the properties of the solid produced? 7. When you dried the PVA solution what were the properties of the residue? 8. When you added the Borate Ions to the PVA solution what did the ions due to the solution? 9. Borate ions have a central atom surrounded by four OH- ions. What do you think the borate ions are doing the molecules in the solution? 10. The gel or solid produced has distinct properties. Is the material produced a pure crystalline solid or an amorphous solid?

Description
Polyvinyl Alcohol is a white and granular, it is soluble in hot water but insoluble in cold water and common organic solvents. For many applications Polyvinyl Alcohol is prepared in water solutions. On evaporation of water, transparent films are formed which have high tensile strength and tear resistance. The binder characteristics of Polyvinyl Alcohol offer excellent adhesion to porous, water-absorbent surfaces.

Typical Properties
Physical Properties Polyvinyl Alcohol Form Color Hydrolysis, mole %
a b

granular white 99.0-99.8 3-12 0.5-1.8 27-33 5.0-7.0 5

a 3

Saponification number Viscosity, mPas (cP)c Solution pH Volatiles, % max Ash (as Na2O), % max
3

Residual polyvinyl acetate, weight %

1.0 400-432 (25-27) 1.30 1294 (10.8) 7.7 x 10-4 (21.3) 1.54 >100 1674 (0.4)

Bulk density, kg/m (lb/ft ) Specific gravity Resin density, kg/m (lb/gal) Specific volume, m3/kg(in3/lb) Refractive index Hardness, Shore unplasticized Specific heat, J/kgK(cal/g/C)
a b c

dry basis. milligrams potassium hydroxide per gram polymer. viscosity of a 4% aqueous solution at 20C (68F), determined by Hoeppler falling ball method.

Suggested End-Uses
Polyvinyl Alcohol offers a combination of excellent film forming and binder characteristics, along with insolubility in cold water and organic solvents. This combination of characteristics is useful in a variety of applications. Adhesives In adhesive applications Polyvinyl Alcohol can be used alone or often in combination with extenders such as starch, dextrin or clay. As the proportion of Polyvinyl Alcohol increases, the adhesive strength and water resistance also improve. Examples of Polyvinyl Alcohol adhesives applications include:

for paper and paperboard, alone or in combination with other additives; as a component in industrial adhesives for bonding paper, textiles, leather, films and porous substrates; for laminating adhesives which are used in the manufacture of solid fiberboard, linerboard, spiral wound tubes and cores, and laminated specialties; in bag adhesives and pastes; and as an adhesive in corrugated container board. Paper and Paperboard Sizing and Coatings In sizing and coatings for paper and paperboard Polyvinyl Alcohol can be used alone or combined with extenders or modifiers. The proportion of Polyvinyl Alcohol to be used depends on desired physical properties and economics. Some specific paper uses include:

for fine writing and printing papers as surface size material with starch; as grease-proof coating or release coating on paper specialties; and as binder in pigmented coatings to provide greater opacity: due to improved optical properties, part of the TiO2 may be substituted by a lower cost pigment such as clay.

Textiles In addition to providing strength properties, Polyvinyl Alcohol 71-30 is flexible and resists abrasion when used in textile applications such as:

warp size for spun yarns:

inish for textiles in combination with thermosetting resins; and effective binder for some nonwoven structures. Films Unsupported films cast from water solutions of Polyvinyl Alcohol and plasticizer are transparent, tough, tear-resistant and puncture-resistant. Polyvinyl Alcohol provides a unique combination of properties whereby films have water solubility, in addition to resistance to oils, grease and solvents, and impermeability to most gases. These properties make films of Polyvinyl Alcohol suitable for dissolvable unit packages and hospital laundry bags. Building Products Because Polyvinyl Alcohol is an effective binder for solid particles such as pigments, ceramics, cements and plastics, it finds utility in building products. It is used as a binder in ceiling tile, floor coatings and particle board. Other Uses The general properties of Polyvinyl Alcohol make it useful in other applications including:

hoses, gaskets, pipe and gloves where its oil and solvent barrier properties are important; as an emulsifying agent in emulsions and latices; and as an additive for strength to concrete and cements.

Properties in Solution
Polyvinyl Alcohol often is prepared in a water solution. The viscosity of water solutions of Polyvinyl Alcohol varies with concentration (solids) and temperature. The relationships between viscosity, concentration and temperature are shown in Figures 1 and 2. Elvanol is the Dupont product name for PVA.