PVC

PVC: see polyvinyl chloride.

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PVC

 in full polyvinyl chloride

Synthetic resin, an organic polymer made by treating vinyl chloride monomers with a peroxide. It may be blended with more rubbery polymers or copolymerized with other vinyls to obtain products with desired properties. PVC resin mixed with plasticizers (see Waldo Semon), stabilizers, and pigments is made into flexible articles (e.g., raincoats, toys, containers). Nonplasticized resin has been used for rigid products (e.g., water pipes, plumbing fittings, phonograph records). Concern over leaching of vinyl chloride into foods has resulted in restrictions on its use in food containers; its decomposition into hydrogen chloride when burned has also raised concerns. Today it is produced in larger quantities than any other plastic except polyethylene.

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(Permanent Virtual Circuit) A point-to-point connection that is established ahead of time. A group of PVCs defined at the time of subscription to a particular service is known as a "virtual private network" (VPN). Contrast with SVC. See VPN.

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1.	(networking)	PVC - Permanent Virtual Circuit.
2.	(hardware)	PVC - polyvinyl chloride.