Plasticizers – Benefits, Trends, Health, and Environmental
Plasticizers are colorless and odorless esters, mainly phthalates, that increase the elasticity of a material (e.g., polyvinylchloride (PVC)). Plasticizers soften the PVC to make it flexible and bendable. This opens up a huge range of possibilities for new applications.
Plasticizers: Types, Uses, Classification, Selection & Regulation
Most common plasticiser chemistries include citrates, benzoates, ortho-phthalates, terephthalates, adipates, azelates, sebacates, and trimellitates. Plasticizers are the most common additives used in the plastics industry. But, selecting the right plasticizer for an application has always been a daunting task.
What Plasticizers Do & How They Affect Properties | Osborne
PVC is one of the most durable materials in the world because of plasticizers added to it, lasting up to 50 years without damage. Because plasticizers can make the material stronger than before, PVC is largely used in the construction, automotive and wire and cable sectors.
Plasticizer
For example, plasticizers are commonly added to polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which otherwise is hard and brittle, to make it soft and pliable; which makes it suitable for products such as shower curtains, vinyl flooring, clothing, bags, flexible plastic tubing, and electric wire insulation/coating.
What Are Plasticizers? | Plasticizers in Plastic Manufacturing
Starting with the basics, a plasticizer is a low-volatility liquid or solid substance that’s added to a raw polymer like a type of plastic or rubber to improve its flexibility, make it easier to shape and mold, and reduce friction on its surface.
- What does a plasticizer do?
- A plasticizer is a chemical compound added to materials, particularly plastics, to increase their plasticity or flexibility. The primary function of a plasticizer is to reduce the intermolecular forces between polymer chains, allowing them to move more freely, which in turn increases the material's flexibility, softness, and workability.
- How effective is a plasticizer?
- A plasticizer’s effectiveness depends on its chemical composition, compatibility with the host polymer, and capacity for migration within the matrix with age. Plasticizers can act mainly because they can change the arrangement of molecules and intermolecular forces between polymer chains.
- What is a plasticizer chemistry?
- Plasticizers are the most used additives in the plastics industry. They are generally available as non-volatile, colorless liquids. They improve the properties of the polymer. With several plasticizer chemistries available in the market choosing the right one can be daunting. In this guide, you will read more about:
- What if plasticizers are not added?
- Plasticizers are the most commonly used additives in the plastic industry. If plasticizers are not added, the properties of many polymers will not be very good. These common additives endow many products made of plastics and polymers with crucial flexibility.
- What materials use plasticizers?
- Many different materials use plasticizers, including PVC, rubber, plastics, etc. In fact, the discovery of plasticizers has almost made the polymer industry possible. Without plasticizers, most polymers would be too brittle and hard to use.
- How do I choose a plasticizer for custom plastics manufacturing?
- Several important factors must be considered when choosing plasticizers for custom plastics manufacturing to ensure the best performance, safety, and compliance with regulatory standards. Compatibility: The plasticizer chosen must be compatible with the polymer in use.
