Flooring
Flooring manufacturers combine phthalates like DEHP with PVC powder to make a soft and flexible finished product, which makes comfortable, safe and stylish floors for buildings of every size and use all over the world and at a price within the reach of millions. Thanks to phthalates, manufacturers can achieve an exciting range of diverse designs.
How is soft PVC flooring made?
Manufacturers produce most PVC floors by a process known as 'plastisol spread coating'. In this, phthalates like DEHP are essential to producing a liquid paste or 'plastisol', from solid PVC particles. The paste is applied in several layers so that the floor is literally 'built up'. Typically these include a foam core, a decorative layer and a protective wear layer.
Plastisols prepared with these phthalates are rapidly fused so that the layers can be applied at a high production rate. This ensures that the whole process is cost-effective. These plasticisers also enable the plastisols to be processed at a range of temperatures, while giving consistent, high quality foams. Thanks to these integral foams, soft PVC floorings deaden sound, have a pleasing softness under foot and yet are hard wearing.
Benefits of soft PVC flooring
Design: Plasticised PVC allows for a great range of design styles, colours and effects
Protection and hygiene: Soft PVC flooring prevents dust and dirt from building up and microbes from breeding, which is why it is a material of choice in sensitive areas such as hospitals and clinics
Low maintenance: The robust surfaces of soft PVC reduce the need for cleaning and the use of polish
Durability: PVC floors typically last up to 20 years of intensive use
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