Definition

1. Noun:
   • A synthetic resin or plastic: A vinyl polymer is a type of thermoplastic material created through the chemical process of polymerization, using starting compounds that contain the vinyl group (a specific arrangement of carbon and hydrogen atoms, -CH=CH₂).

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a common and durable vinyl polymer used in construction.
  • The record was made from a high-quality vinyl polymer.
  • These floor tiles are composed of a flexible vinyl polymer.

Advanced Usage

• In industrial and chemical contexts, "vinyl polymer" often refers specifically to polymers where the repeating unit is derived from a vinyl monomer (e.g., ethylene, styrene, vinyl chloride).
  • The properties of the final product depend on the specific vinyl polymer synthesized.

Variants and Related Words

• Polyvinyl: A prefix denoting a polymer made from a vinyl compound, as in .
• Vinyl: In common usage, "vinyl" often refers informally to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or to phonograph records made from such materials.
  • He collects vintage vinyl records. (Here, "vinyl" is a shorthand for the vinyl polymer used to make the records.)

Synonyms

• Vinyl resin: A synonym often used in material science and engineering.
• Polymer: A broader category that includes vinyl polymers as a specific type.

Related Phrases and Compounds

• Vinyl monomer: The small molecule (containing the vinyl group) that is linked together to form a vinyl polymer.
• Vinyl group: The specific chemical unit (-CH=CH₂) characteristic of the starting materials for these polymers.

Noun

1. a thermoplastic derived by polymerization from compounds containing the vinyl group