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. When they’re added to a polymer, they work themselves into the polymer chains, acting like a
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.
- 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 is a primary plasticizer?
- A primary plasticizer enhances elongation, softness and flexibility of polymer. They are highly compatible with polymers and can be added in large quantities. For example: up to 50% of vinyl gloves are made up of plasticizers, which make the PVC flexible and soft enough to wear.
- 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?
- What polymers use plasticizers?
- Other polymer systems that use small amounts of plasticizers include polyvinyl butyral, acrylic polymers, poly (vinyldiene chloride), nylon, polyolefins, and certain fluoroplastics. Plasticizers can be used with rubber, although more often these materials fall under the definition of extenders, rather than plasticizers.
- Why are plasticizers used in polyvinyl chloride?
- Plasticizers increase the flow and thermoplasticity of a polymer. This is done by decreasing the viscosity of the polymer melt, Tg, Tm, and elastic modulus of the finished product. During this process, the fundamental chemical character of the plasticized material remains unaltered. Plasticizers are most often used in Polyvinyl chloride.
