Monday, October 24, 2016

The History Of PVC-u Windows

leading manufacturer and supplier of high quality windows in the UK
Today, many builders and property owners are choosing to have their windows made of PVC-u. This is because the production costs for PVC-u windows are cheaper than with other materials. In addition, PVC-u windows are really strong and highly durable.

The Invention Of PVC


PVC or Polyvinyl Chloride was discovered by accident and its discovery actually happened twice. It was first discovered in 1835 by the French chemist Henri Victor Reginault. It was discovered again in 1872 by the German Eugen Baumann. In both occasions, the polymer first appeared as a white, solid substance inside flasks of vinyl chloride that were accidentally left exposed to sunlight.

Neither of Reginault nor Baumann thought to patent their discovery and it wasn’t until the early 20th century that anyone tried to find a commercial use for this substance. Among those who initially attempted to commercialise PVC were Russian chemist Ivan Ostromislensky and Fritz Klatte of the German chemical company Griesheim-Elektron. Unfortunately, both ran into various hardships in processing the rigid and occasionally brittle polymer and all their efforts were hampered.

In 1962, famed American inventor Waldo Semon found out that the substance could be plasticized if it is mixed with various additives. The product became a softer and much more malleable material that which is now one of the most popular building supplies today.

Early History Of PVC-u

PVC-u, or the unplasticized form of PVC, eventually found a use of its own as a building material. The production of PVC-u windows started during sometime in the 1960s, first in Germany and then soon, in Britain and the USA

Many people soon learned about the advantages of PVC-u over traditional materials such as wood and metal. Over the years, production of PVC-u windows increased exponentially to the point that over 90% of windows produced, sold, and fitted in the UK  today are made of this material.

Info source: www.spectus.co.uk

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