Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a thermoplastic polymer that can undergo thermal degradation when exposed to a flame. The chemical equation for the combustion of PVC can be represented as follows:
2C2H3Cl + 9O2 → 4CO2 + 2H2O + 2HCl
In this equation, PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is represented as 2C2H3Cl, indicating two units of the monomer (vinyl chloride) that make up PVC. The combustion process involves the reaction of PVC with oxygen (O2) from the air, resulting in the formation of carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O), and hydrogen chloride (HCl). The release of HCl during PVC combustion is one of the reasons why PVC fires are hazardous, as it can be corrosive and harmful to humans and the environment.