What's the difference between hard texture PVC and soft texture PVC?

Hard texture PVC and soft texture PVC differ in the following aspects:

Composition

• Hard PVC: It contains no plasticizers in the production process, with the main component being polyvinyl chloride resin. It has good stability and a relatively simple composition.
• Soft PVC: Softeners are added during the production of soft PVC. These softeners enhance its flexibility and softness but may affect its stability and service life.

Physical Properties

      Hardness and Flexibility

• Hard PVC: It is hard and rigid, with poor flexibility. It is difficult to bend and is prone to breakage when subjected to excessive force. It can maintain its shape well after being formed and is not easily deformed.
• Soft PVC: It has good softness and flexibility, is easy to bend and fold, and can be molded into various shapes according to needs. It is not easy to break and has a certain degree of elasticity.

      Density

• Hard PVC: The density is usually around 1.4 g/cm³.
• Soft PVC: The density is in the range of 1.16-1.35 g/cm³.

      Temperature Resistance

• Hard PVC: The general service temperature does not exceed 40°C. When the temperature is too high, hard PVC products may be damaged, become deformed, or even decompose.
• Soft PVC: It has better high and low temperature resistance and can usually be used in a wider temperature range.

Processing Performance

      Molding Difficulty

• Hard PVC: Due to its hardness and brittleness, the molding process requires higher temperature and pressure conditions. It is more difficult to process and shape, and requires the use of professional processing equipment and tools.
• Soft PVC: It is easier to mold and shape at a relatively lower temperature and pressure because of its softness and good fluidity.

      Welding and Bonding

• Hard PVC: Welding and bonding require the use of special welding equipment and adhesives. The surface needs to be treated in advance to ensure a good welding or bonding effect.
• Soft PVC: It is relatively easier to weld and bond, and there are more choices of adhesives.

Applications

      Hard PVC

• Building Materials: It is mainly used in the production of hard PVC pipes, fittings, profiles, window frames, doors, etc. It is also used to make building decoration materials such as wall panels and ceiling panels.
• Electrical and Electronic: It is used to make insulating shells of electrical appliances, such as switch shells and socket shells.
• Chemical Industry: It can be used to make chemical reaction vessels, pipelines, storage tanks and other equipment due to its good corrosion resistance.

      Soft PVC

• Packaging: It is often used to make plastic films, packaging bags, and tablecloths because of its softness and good flexibility.
• Medical Field: It is used to make medical products such as medical tubing, blood bags, and some medical devices.
• Leather Substitute: It can be made into artificial leather, which is used in the production of shoes, bags, furniture upholstery and other products.

Recycling

• Hard PVC: It is relatively easier to recycle. The recycling process is relatively simple, and the recycled materials can be used to produce some low-end products or fillers after treatment.
• Soft PVC: The softeners in soft PVC may affect the recycling process and quality. The recycling cost is relatively high, and the performance of the recycled materials is also affected to a certain extent.