What Plasticizers Do & How They Affect Properties | Osborne
Plasticizers act like a lubricant among polymer chains to reduce rigidity. Without them, synthetic polymer materials would be too brittle and rigid for any practical purpose. For example, plasticizers give rubber its extensibility. Approximately 90% of all plasticizers are used in polyvinyl chloride, or PVC.
Plasticizer
It was commonly thought that plasticizers work by embedding themselves between the chains of polymers, spacing them apart (increasing the "free volume"), [3] [4] or swelling them and thus significantly lowering the glass transition temperature for the plastic and making it softer.
Plasticizers: Types, Uses, Classification, Selection & Regulation
Plasticizers increase the flow and thermoplasticity of a polymer by decreasing the viscosity of the polymer melt, the glass transition temperature (Tg), the melting temperature (Tm) and the elastic modulus of the finished product without altering the fundamental chemical character of the plasticized material.
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.
Plasticizers – Benefits, Trends, Health, and Environmental
Plasticizers soften the PVC to make it flexible and bendable. This opens up a huge range of possibilities for new applications. One of the main benefits of plasticizers is the durability they confer onto PVC applications, which can ensure high performances for up to 50 years.
- What are plasticizers & how do they work?
- Plasticizers are non-volatile organic substances (mainly liquids) added into a plastic or elastomer. They are also usually cheaper than other additives. They improve the following properties of the polymers: Plasticizers increase the flow and thermoplasticity of a polymer.
- Why are plasticizers important?
- Thanks to their ability to soften plastics, plasticizers enable the creation of more ductile products, reducing the brittleness of the material and enhancing performance in applications requiring greater elasticity. How do plasticizers work?
- How do plasticizers affect a polymer?
- For example, commonly they are integrated polymer chains, plasticizers reduce intermolecular forces, thereby increasing the material’s plasticity and decreasing its viscosity. This modification transforms rigid and brittle polymers into more pliable forms, broadening their application spectrum.
- 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.
- Why do Plasticizers make polymers soft and pliable at lower temperatures?
- By lowering Tg, plasticizers make polymers soft and pliable at lower temperatures. Decreasing Crystallinity: Some polymers, like PVC, have regions of crystallinity that make them naturally rigid. Plasticizers reduce crystallinity, further enhancing flexibility and elasticity.
- How are plasticizers broken down in polymer matrices?
- There are several ways that plasticizers are broken down in polymer matrices: hydrolysis, oxidation, and thermal degradation. Each method can convert a plasticizer into tiny fragments that could be dangerous if released into the environment.
