The Complete Guide to PVC Sealing
Radio frequency welding, also known as dielectric welding, is a plastic welding process that utilizes high-frequency electric fields to heat and melt plastics. This process allows manufacturers to join thermoplastic materials together and is especially useful for welding lap joints or seals on plastic sheets or plastic parts.
What is PVC Sealing?
PVC Sealing is the application of RF sealing to Polyvinyl chloride or vinyl fabric. PVC is an especially good choice for RF heat sealing because of its flexibility, polarity, and is perfect for creating hermetic seals and waterproofing applications.
What types of products are made with PVC sealing?
Fuel bladders, marine bladders, boat bladders, beach balls, inflatable rafts and life jackets, sewn bags, tents, water beds, and most inflatable products are able to be created using PVC heat sealing.
What are the benefits of PVC heat sealing?
PVC sheets and boards can especially benefit from the strong seams that RF welding creates. Products produced from the pvc sealing process can be flexible and elastic but still possess shear strength and durability.
PVC itself is a very versatile and cost-effective material. Its main benefits are:
- Electrical Insulation: PVC has good dielectric strength, making it a good insulation material for applications that require electrical insulation.
- Durability: PVC is resistant to weathering, oil, grease, chemical rotting, corrosion, shock, and abrasion. Logically, it is therefore the material of choice for many outdoor products or applications where durability is a top factor of consideration.
- Flame Resistance: PVC products are self-extinguishing due to their high chlorine content. This gives it excellent performance and mechanical properties against fire.
- High Performance for Low Cost: The durability and aforementioned factors allow for finished products that require low amounts of maintenance and replacement in many environmental conditions.
- PVC is abrasion-resistant, lightweight, and tough: These mechanical properties make it the material of choice for finished products that will be subject to weathering or rigorous use.
Are there disadvantages to PVC?
PVC itself has poor heat stability, which is why additives are added to stabilize the material at higher temperatures and are typically added in before the rf welding process to counteract this disadvantage. It is important to avoid the melting point of PVC as it can emit toxic fumes if not properly conducted.
What Equipment is Used in PVC Sealing?
RF Sealing Machines or thermatron rf welders are used for different materials, including PVC. A PVC heat sealer can come in different forms and different brands.
Learn more about PVC Welding
