The core characteristics of vinyl, such as inherent flame resistance, weatherability, and relatively low energy consumption, are combined with a wide array of performance enhancing possibilities to make vinyl a solid economic and environmental choice.  Vinyl compounds are an excellent alternative to engineered thermoplastics which may be over-engineered for the necessities of end-use or where polyolefins lack the physical properties required by end-use.  Vinyl compounds are also ideally suited to replace metal where design changes allow part consolidation and where corrosion resistance is a concern.