Kuraray is a company that produces a range of products, including polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) grades. Polyvinyl alcohol is a water-soluble polymer that finds applications in various industries due to its unique properties. Two important characteristics of PVOH grades are viscosity and alcoholysis degree.

1. Viscosity: Viscosity refers to the thickness or resistance to flow of a substance. In the context of PVOH, viscosity is an important property because it affects how the polymer behaves in different applications. Higher viscosity PVOH grades tend to have thicker solutions and may provide better film-forming properties, making them suitable for applications like adhesive films, coatings, and paper treatments. Lower viscosity grades are often used when a more fluid solution is required, such as in textile sizing or as a binder in certain formulations.

2. Alcoholysis Degree: PVOH is produced by the hydrolysis of polyvinyl acetate (PVAc), which involves replacing acetate groups with hydroxyl groups. The degree of alcoholysis refers to the percentage of acetate groups that have been replaced by hydroxyl groups in the polymer chain. A higher alcoholysis degree means that more acetate groups have been hydrolyzed, resulting in a greater number of hydroxyl groups along the polymer chain. This influences the water solubility and other properties of the PVOH.

Kuraray likely offers a range of PVOH grades with varying viscosities and alcoholysis degrees to cater to different applications. The choice of grade depends on the specific requirements of the application. Higher alcoholysis degrees typically result in more water-soluble PVOH, which can be advantageous for applications where rapid dissolution is desired, such as in laundry detergents. On the other hand, lower alcoholysis degrees might be preferred for applications where greater film strength or barrier properties are needed, such as in packaging films.

When selecting a Kuraray PVOH grade, it's important to consider both the viscosity and alcoholysis degree in relation to the intended application to ensure that the chosen grade aligns with the desired performance characteristics.