PLASTICIZER

PLASTICIZER

By
By

AmarArakh
Arakh
Amar

PLASTICIZER
Chemicals that are added to other polymeric
substances, to improve the flexibility of the
polymer or to aid in processing the polymer.
Additive designed to space out the polymer
molecules, facilitating their movements and leading
to enhanced flexibility (lower modulus)and
ductility. Widely used to convert PVC from the rigid
to the flexible variety. Can sometimes be polymeric.
The main role of the plasticizer is to improve
mechanical properties of the polymers by
increasing flexibility, decreasing tensile strength
and lowering the second order transition
temperature

CONT...
Mostly used in PVC (second largest material selling
in Western Europe).
80-90% plasticizers are used in PVC.
The Successful addition of a plasticizer will result in
the formation of a product with a degree of
flexibility, such as a cable insulation or sheathing, a
floor covering or flexible profile.
Plasticizers acts to reduce the Tg of PVC .

PLASTICIZER MARKET
6 million ton plasticizer produced every year.
80-90% of the worldwide consumption is in PVC

MECHANISM.......

As plasticizers usually possess relatively long alkyl chains, they

have the effect of screening the polymer chains from each other,
thereby preventing them from re-forming the chain-chain
interactions which give the unplasticized polymer its rigidity.

PLASTICIZATION THEORIES

Lubricity Theory: Plasticizer acts as a lubricant,

reducing intermolecular friction between polymer
molecules responsible for rigidity of the polymer.
Gel Theory: Polymers are formed by an internal
three-dimensional network
Free Volume Theory: Plasticizer lowers the glass
transition temperature (Tg) of the polymer.
Mechanistic Theory: Plasticizer molecules are not
bound permanently to the polymer molecules form.

CLASSIFICATION

Majority of plasticizers are Organic Esters.

According to technique of Plasticization

External

Not physically bound to

polymer & can
evaporate, migrate or
exude from polymer.

Internal

Group constituting a part

of a basic polymer chain,
which may incorporate
bet. chain

CLASSIFICATION

Other
Conventionally classified as

Primary

Sufficient level of
compatibility to be used
give desirable effect.
directly interact with
chain.

Secondary

Limited compatibility &

can exude if used alone.
Incorporate with primary
plasticizer.

PHTHALATES
Most widely use as plasticizer.
Phthalates accounts 92% of all plasticizers.
A Phthalate ester derived from phthalic acid by an
esterification reaction.
Properties: Colorless Oily liquid ( like vegetable oil)
Ester odor, High boiling point, Inert and very stable
over long periods

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DOP/DEHP
Primary use as plasticizer.
Insoluble in water, Boiling point: 386.9oc,Density:
0.9732 g/L, Molecular weight: 390.5618 g/mol.
Production: Phthalic anhydridewith2-ehaxenol:

C6H4(CO)2O + 2 C8H17OH C6H4(CO2C8H17)2+ H2O

Used in medical devices ,Toys, Pacifiers, Vinyl

Upholstery, Food containers, Table cloths, Shower
curtains.

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DINP
Mixture of chemical compounds consisting of various
isononyl esters & phthalic acid.
Properties :Insoluble in H O,Soluble in most
2
organic solvents, Boiling point: 250Density: 0.98g/cc,
Molecular weight: 418.6 g/mol.
Use in Replacing DEHP in toys when initially
determined to be carcinogenic.

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DIDP
Mixture of compounds derived from the esterification
of phthalic acid & isomeric decyl alcohol.
Properties: density:0.96g/cc, melting point: -50,
boiling point: 250-257c at 0.5KPa.
Uses in plastisol application, provides good initial
viscosities & excellent viscosity stability.

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SEBACATES & ADIPATES

Dibutyl Sebacate is an organic chemical , a dibutyl
ester of sebacic acid.
Properties: density: 0.94g/cc, boiling point:344.5c ,
melting point:-10c, flash point: 178c.
Used in foodpackagingindustry, in plastics used for
medical devices, and forpharmaceuticalapplications,

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TRIMELLITATE PLASTICIZERS

Synthesized using one mole of trimellitic anhydride and

3 moles of an alcohol. The third alkyl group, compared to
phthalates, contributes higher molecular weight (low
diffusivity);the third ester group contributes sufficient
polarity to enhance compatibility with PVC.

Tri (2-ethylhexyl) Trimellitate

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FATTY ACID ESTERS

Esters of fatty acids & monocarboxylic acids can
be used as viscosities depressant for PVC pastes
& also as secondary plasticizers for plasticized
PVC.
Present in liquid form.
Stearic acid esters are used as plasticizers &
processing agent for various plastics & also as
lubricants for PS.

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OLIGOMERIC/POLYMERIC
PLASTICIZER
These extend the life of PVC products
considerably
They reduce migration, extraction & volatility.
In these adipates are generally used in mixture
with other plasticizer to increase plasticization &
improve low temp. Properties.
Epoxied plasticizer (soybean oil & linseed oil) are
used as stabilizing plasticizer offering properties
of migration resistance in PVC compounds.

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PLASTICIZER IN PVC

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SELECTION CRITERIA

Choice of plasticizer depends upon the properties

required in final product, the application
technology used to make it !!

Prize boundaries present for product process.

Stability in processing & service condition.

Compatibility & ease of mixing.

Toxicity.

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PLASTICIZER EFFICIENCY..
The measure of concentration of plasticizer
require to improve a specifies softness to PVC.
Plasticizer efficiency increases as carbon number
of alcohol chain decreases.
For phthalates,
BBP>DIHP>DOP>DINP>DIDP
Linear plasticizer is more efficient.

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HEALTH & SAFETY...

1860

1998

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