Synthetic resins and their raw materials / A survey of the types and uses of synthetic resins, the organization of the industry, and the trade in resins and raw materials, with particular references to factors essential to tariff consideration. Under the general provisions of section 332, title III, part II, Tariff act of 1930.

by United States Tariff Commission

10. VINYL RESINS

Vinyl acetate, vinyl chloride, and to a lesser extent vinyl chloroacetate, are the raw materials (monomers) for the several vinyl resins commercially produced in the United States, Canada, and Germany. These are all esters of the hypothetical vinyl alcohol and are made by the action of acetic and hydrochloric acids on acetylene.

The spontaneous polymerization of vinyl derivatives has been known for many years, although its significance and industrial application have been realized only recently. Vinyl acetate, probably the most important of the vinyl esters, was discovered in 1912 and first made in Canada in 1917.

Vinyl resins may be classified into (a) polyvinyl acetate, (b) copolymers of vinyl acetate and vinyl chloride, (c) polyvinyl chloride, and (d) polyvinyl chloroacetate.