IGCSE Design & Technology Test 2026 – Complete Practice for JIS

PVC’s usefulness comes from its combination of chemical resistance, durability, and how easily it can be formed into long, hollow or thin shapes. For pipes, it can be extruded into continuous, smooth-walled tubes that resist water, many chemicals, and weathering, while remaining lightweight and cost-effective. For clear packaging film, PVC can be made transparent and thin, with good barrier properties and the ability to seal well, which protects contents while letting them be seen. When plasticizers are added, it becomes flexible enough for films, yet it can also stay rigid for piping, giving versatility across these common applications.

Wooden furniture is built from wood materials for aesthetic and structural reasons, which PVC doesn’t provide. Textile fabrics are made from fibers; while PVC can be used as coatings or vinyl fabrics, the base material is not the same as traditional textile fabrics. Metal structural beams require high strength and rigidity that PVC does not offer.