Properties of Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVAL)

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is a synthetic polymer that is water-soluble. It is made through the polymerization of vinyl acetate followed by hydrolysis, which converts the acetate groups to alcohol groups. PVA is widely used in various applications, including as a component in adhesives, as a textile sizing agent, in the production of water-soluble films, and in the formulation of some pharmaceuticals.

The following table provides a comprehensive list of polyvinyl alcohol (PVAL) properties in both SI and US customary/Imperial units at normal temperature and pressure (NTP).

Click on the icon to switch between Metric and Imperial units.

Table of Polyvinyl Alcohol Properties
Physical Properties
Metric
CategoryThermoplastic
Density1190 - 1310 kg/m3
Thermal PropertiesMetric
Melting Point200 °C
Thermal Conductivity0.795 W/m·K
Specific Heat Capacity (Cp)1.255 J/kg·K
Glass Transition Temperature (Tg)85 °C

Unless stated otherwise, all values are taken at room temperature (approximately 20°C or 68°F) and 1 atm pressure. (1 atm = 101,325 Pa)

Related Pages
References: 1) Cardarelli, François. Materials Handbook: A Concise Desktop Reference. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing, 2018. 2) CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 97th Edition. United Kingdom: CRC Press, 2016-2017. 3) A.M. Howatson, P.G. Lun, J.D. Todd, P.D. Engineering Tables and Data. United Kingdom: University of Oxford, Department of Engineering Science, 2009.