Vinylidene Chloride (VDC)

Vinylidene Chloride (VDC)

Vinylidene chloride (VDC) is produced by chlorination of EDC to 1,1,2-trichloroethane, which is then dehydrochlorinated with a slight excess of caustic soda. VDC has excellent barrier properties owing to its high density and high crystallinity. Polymers of VDC are impermeable to a variety of gases. Therefore, the main commercial use for VDC is in the production of household food wraps. A significant application for vinylidene chloride copolymers are multilayered films and sheets. Other uses include various chemical intermediates, agricultural chemicals, polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) resins and films, PVDC latex coatings, multiwall paper bags, lacquer resins, and upholstery. The most common lacquer resins are terpolymers made of VDC with methyl methacrylate and acrylonitrile.