Effect of Plasticizers on the Properties of Polystyrene Films
All three plasticizers tested cause measurable changes in the physical properties of the plastic films, although the extent of the effects as a function of concentration varies dramatically among the plasticizers. Concepts of plasticization and interpretation of test results are discussed. Publication: Journal of Chemical Education Pub Date:
Full article: Physical, thermal, morphological, and tensile properties
The primary role of the plasticizers is reducing the strong attraction of hydrogen bonds within amylose and amylopectin molecules in the starch network, as well as facilitate the mobility rate of the polymer macromolecular chain, this, in turn, minimizes the glass transition temperature and then improves the flexibility and stiffness of
10. EFFECT OF PLASTICIZERS ON PROPERTIES OF PLASTICIZED MATERIALS
Since a low molecular weight plasticizer behaves like a solvent when mixed with a polymer, it leads to decrease of the cohesion between the macromolecular chains, and, consequently, to the...
The effect of plasticizers on the functional properties
Generally, the plasticization effect of plasticizers strengthens the film structure, in which the tensile strength and elongation of the films are improved and water barrier properties are reduced. Graphical abstract Download : Download high-res image (106KB) Download : Download full-size image Previous article Next article Keywords
Effects of plasticizers on the structure and properties of starch–clay
Fig. 9 shows the WVP of starch–clay nanocomposite films based on different plasticizers. The use of urea and formamide as the plasticizers decreased the WVP of the films as compared to glycerol plasticized films. That meant the new plasticizers (urea and formamide) facilitated stronger interactions between the starch matrix and clay surface.
- Do plasticizers affect the structural and physical properties of curdlan edible films?
- Conclusions This study investigated the effects of various plasticizers—glycerol (GLY), ethylene glycol (EG), propylene glycol (PRO), xylitol (XY), sorbitol (SOR), and polyethylene glycol (PEG)—on the structural and physical properties of curdlan (CL) edible films.
- Which plasticizer has the highest WS?
- All plasticizer-containing CL films demonstrate significantly higher solubility than the pure CL film, with the CL-PEG film showing the highest WS at 18.75%. Due to the hydrophilic nature of the plasticizers, their leaching into water raises the solubility of the plasticized films.
- Which plasticizer is most effective?
- Among the plasticizers, GLY significantly enhanced the mechanical properties, producing films with reduced tensile strength but the highest elongation at break, reflecting increased flexibility. Overall, GLY was identified as the most effective plasticizer, creating films with balanced mechanical performance and water resistance.
- How do plasticizers affect film solubility?
- As the concentration of plasticizers increases, film solubility also rises. Plasticizers reduce the intermolecular interactions among polymers, increasing the interaction sites between the film’s molecular chains and water molecules, which enhances water affinity and results in higher solubility .
- How does flexibility affect plasticization efficiency?
- Theoretically, the more the flexibility, the greater the reduction in the glass transition temperature of the plasticized polymer. Also, at equal flexibility among plasticizers, the plasticization efficiency decreases with increase in molecular mass . Plasticizers with long chains are better plasticizers compared to small molecules. ... ...
- How do plasticizers affect TS and EAB?
- The TS value of the unplasticized film is 19.74 MPa, and the EAB is 5.39%. The addition of plasticizers decreases the TS and increases the EAB of CL films. This is attributed to the plasticizers significantly reducing the intermolecular forces in CL, leading to an increase in chain mobility and free volume within the polymer matrix .
