Soft and flexible PVC is achieved by adding plasticizers, which are substances that reduce the polymer's intermolecular forces and increase its chain mobility. Plasticizers essentially act as lubricants between the polymer chains, allowing them to slide past each other more easily. This results in a material with reduced rigidity and increased flexibility. The softness and flexibility of PVC make it suitable for a variety of applications, such as hoses, wires, flooring, and toys.
In contrast, Bakelite is a thermosetting plastic, meaning it undergoes an irreversible chemical change upon heating, forming a rigid, cross-linked structure. This cross-linking creates a strong, hard, and brittle material. The rigidity and hardness of Bakelite make it useful in electrical insulation, automotive parts, and cookware applications where strength and resistance to heat and wear are required.
The key difference between PVC and Bakelite lies in their molecular structures and the types of bonds between their polymer chains. PVC's intermolecular forces are weaker, allowing for plasticizers to easily modify its properties. Bakelite, on the other hand, has stronger intermolecular forces due to the cross-linking, which results in its rigid and brittle nature.
