Within the last 200 years, scientists have created many new fabric and fiber innovations rather than traditional weavers. People have valued leather for its flexibility, strength, and soft feel for thousands of years. But its high price has slowed the march of mass consumption. Then early in the 20th century, a synthetic material exploded onto the scene, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), also known as Vinyl. Plastic was a cheap product, and chemists consistently found ways to enhance its performance. When the market grew more demanding for low-cost, biodegradable, and environmentally friendly materials, Polyurethane (PU) emerged as a viable option. In this article, we will discuss the differences between PU and PVC.
About PVC and PU Material
PU and PVC both imitate leather, but they are made of different materials and are made in different ways. Due to their synthetic nature, PU leather and PVC leather are not made from animal skins. PU leather has a split leather backing and a polyurethane coating that gives it a similar finish to natural leather, as well as similar flexibility. PVC leather has a fabric leather backing, a foam layer, a skin layer, and a plastic coating.
What is PVC?
PVC is a high-strength thermoplastic material used for many applications, including pipes, medical devices, and leather. PVC has various properties that can be added to PVC, including reinforcing, making it one of the most versatile materials. PVC comes in powder or granule form in a white, brittle solid state.
What is PU?
Polyurethane is a commonly used material for hoses and tubes. Abrasion resistance and temperature resistance are two properties that make this material one of the most popular materials.
PU vs PVC Material
There are several ways PU material differs from PVC.
Structure
The layers under the coating of PVC make it stronger and more durable. While PU has fewer layers, it is more flexible and pliable. The PU material can even wrinkle and stain, while the PVC can withstand more extreme weather conditions.
Breathability
PU leather has a more breathable surface than PVC leather since it is covered in foam underneath its surface coating. Therefore, PU leather is the material of choice when it comes to wearable clothing. As PU leather has more pores, it is susceptible to absorbing stains and other unwanted particles. For this reason, most upholstery uses PVC leather.
Durability
The multilayer structure of PVC and the absence of pores make it more durable than PU leather. For this reason, it is primarily used for upholstery and footwear. Using PVC leather could also add to the product’s lifespan.
Bottom Line
By now, you should be able to distinguish between PU and PVC. But what should you use? The answer is simple: focus on the functionality of your product.
