What Is PVC Leather Made Of?

Also known as Pvc leather, vinyl leather is a type of synthetic material used extensively in clothing, upholstery and other uses. It is made from petroleum derived plastic called polyvinyl chloride (PVC). What is PVC leather made of? Here are some key points about the composition and production of PVC leather

PVC resin:This powdery white substance is also the main constituent of PVC leather. To produce PVC resins, vinyl chloride monomers are polymerized which results by reacting with ethylene and chlorine gas that has been generated.

Plasticizers:Plasticizers are added to make flexible and soft the PVC resin. These usually comprise phthalates because they help raise its malleability. 

Stabilizers:Over time, PVC can degrade when exposed to light, heat or oxygen. Hence stabilizers are included to avoid this process in the PVC resin which may be metallic compounds e.g. lead or cadmium or organic ones such as organotin complexes.

Dyes & pigments:Indoors during manufacturing dyes or pigments are mixed with the PVC resin so as to generate colors for the resulting product i.e., the pvc-leather. These substances can either be organic or inorganic with most often being mixed up with pvc resins before it gets melted down into rolls/sheets.

Texturing:Many times people find it hard to differentiate between genuine leather and pvc-leather because they look similar due to embossing with a textured pattern on it done on pvc-leather material itself hence giving it an appearance of genuine leather. The patterns desired for texture might be pressed onto material using rollers while others prefer coating pvc-leathers with polyurethanes or any other materials that could provide additional protection against wear.

On a broader perspective, Polyvinyl Chloride Leather (PVC Leather) is versatile and economical in many applications.