⟡ Poly(vinyl alcohol) / PVA / High-Hydrolysis Water-Soluble Polymers
Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), MW 78,000, 98% Hydrolyzed
Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), also known as PVOH, is a water-soluble synthetic polymer derived from polyvinyl acetate through hydrolysis. This grade has an approximate molecular weight of 78,000 and is 98 mol% hydrolyzed, making it well suited for applications requiring stronger hydrogen bonding, higher crystallinity, film strength, and controlled water interaction.
Highly hydrolyzed PVA grades are commonly selected for high-strength films, coatings, adhesives, hydrogels, biomedical materials, textile sizing, paper processing, and emulsion stabilization. Compared with partially hydrolyzed grades, 98% hydrolyzed PVA typically provides increased crystallinity and stronger intermolecular hydrogen bonding, but may require more heat or mixing energy to dissolve.
Polysciences supplies poly(vinyl alcohol) materials for research, laboratory, industrial, biomedical, and formulation applications requiring consistent water-soluble polymer performance.
Key Features & Benefits
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Highly hydrolyzed PVA: 98 mol% hydrolyzed for increased crystallinity and hydrogen bonding
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Water-soluble polymer: suitable for aqueous systems, hydrogels, coatings, and formulation work
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Approximate MW 78,000: provides higher viscosity and film strength than lower molecular weight grades
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Strong film-forming properties: useful in coatings, packaging films, adhesives, and barrier applications
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High hydrogen bonding potential: supports structural integrity, adhesion, moisture interaction, and mechanical strength
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Hydrogel and biomaterials utility: applicable in biomedical research, controlled-release studies, and wound dressing materials
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Emulsion stabilization: can function as a protective colloid in polymerization and dispersion systems
Product Details
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Product name: Poly(vinyl alcohol)
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Common abbreviations: PVA, PVOH
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Molecular weight: ~78,000
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Hydrolysis: 98 mol% hydrolyzed
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Polymer type: Highly hydrolyzed poly(vinyl alcohol)
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Solubility: Water soluble
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Function: Film former, binder, adhesive, stabilizer, hydrogel polymer, formulation additive
Typical Applications
High-Strength Films, Coatings & Packaging
Poly(vinyl alcohol) is used to form water-soluble and barrier films for coatings, packaging, controlled-permeability layers, and film-forming applications requiring strength and structural integrity.
Adhesives & Binders
PVA functions as a water-soluble adhesive and binder in paper, textile, wood, and industrial formulations where adhesion, cohesion, and film strength are important.
Hydrogels & Biomedical Research
Used in hydrogel systems, wound dressing research, drug delivery studies, and biomaterials applications because of its hydrophilicity, biocompatibility, hydrogen bonding, and gel-forming behavior.
Emulsion Polymerization & Stabilization
Acts as a protective colloid in emulsion polymerization processes, helping stabilize dispersions and support consistent particle formation.
Textile & Paper Processing
Used as a sizing agent, surface treatment polymer, and binder to improve fiber strength, coating performance, adhesion, and processability.
Why Hydrolysis Percentage Matters
The degree of hydrolysis affects PVA solubility, crystallinity, hydrogen bonding, film strength, water sensitivity, and dissolution behavior. Highly hydrolyzed grades such as this 98 mol% hydrolyzed PVA typically have stronger intermolecular hydrogen bonding and greater crystallinity than partially hydrolyzed grades.
Because of this higher crystallinity, 98% hydrolyzed PVA may require more heat or mixing energy to dissolve, but it can provide improved film strength, chemical resistance, and structural integrity in applications where durability and controlled water interaction are important.
Why Molecular Weight Matters
Molecular weight influences PVA viscosity, film strength, processing behavior, and solution performance. This ~78,000 MW grade offers a higher-viscosity option than lower molecular weight PVA grades, making it useful for applications that require stronger films, greater mechanical integrity, or increased formulation body.
Lower molecular weight PVA grades generally provide lower solution viscosity and easier handling, while higher molecular weight grades tend to increase viscosity, film strength, and structural performance.
Why Researchers & Manufacturers Use PVA
Poly(vinyl alcohol) is widely used across industrial, biomedical, packaging, coating, adhesive, and formulation applications because it combines water solubility, film-forming ability, chemical resistance, mechanical strength, and strong hydrogen bonding behavior.
PVA is frequently selected when a formulation requires water interaction, controlled permeability, adhesion, film formation, emulsion stabilization, hydrogel performance, or improved coating durability.
Handling & Storage
- Store in a cool, dry place in a tightly sealed container.
- Protect from moisture to maintain product quality.
- Add gradually to water with mixing to promote proper dispersion and dissolution.
- Highly hydrolyzed grades may require additional heat or mixing energy to dissolve.
- Consult the SDS for complete handling and safety information.
Why Choose Polysciences?
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FAQ
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What is 98% hydrolyzed poly(vinyl alcohol) used for?
98% hydrolyzed poly(vinyl alcohol) is used in high-strength films, coatings, adhesives, hydrogels, biomedical materials, textile sizing, paper processing, emulsion stabilization, and packaging applications.
What does PVA mean?
PVA commonly stands for poly(vinyl alcohol), also abbreviated as PVOH. It is a water-soluble synthetic polymer derived from polyvinyl acetate through hydrolysis.
What does 98% hydrolyzed PVA mean?
98% hydrolyzed PVA means that approximately 98 mol% of the acetate groups from polyvinyl acetate have been converted to alcohol groups, increasing crystallinity, hydrogen bonding, and film strength compared with partially hydrolyzed grades.
Is 98% hydrolyzed PVA water soluble?
Yes. 98% hydrolyzed PVA is water soluble, but highly hydrolyzed grades may require additional heat, time, or mixing energy to dissolve because of increased crystallinity and hydrogen bonding.
What is the difference between 88% and 98% hydrolyzed PVA?
88% hydrolyzed PVA generally dissolves more easily and offers greater formulation flexibility, while 98% hydrolyzed PVA typically provides stronger hydrogen bonding, higher crystallinity, greater film strength, and improved structural integrity.
Why is PVA used in films and coatings?
PVA is used in films and coatings because it offers strong film-forming ability, adhesion, mechanical strength, moisture interaction, and controlled permeability.
Do you supply PVA for industrial and research applications?
Yes. Polysciences supplies poly(vinyl alcohol) materials for laboratory, industrial, biomedical, coating, adhesive, and formulation applications worldwide.
