Plasticizers: Types, Uses, Classification, Selection & Regulation
Plasticizers are among the most widely used additives in the plastic industry. They are also usually cheaper than other additives used in polymer processing. Plasticizers are most often used in PVC, the third largest polymer by volume after PP and PE. In turn, PVC is used in a wide range of products. Examples include:
Polymeric Plasticizers
Polymer plasticizers or polyadipates are polyesters of aliphatic dicarboxylic acids. BASF manufactures and markets the following polymer plasticizers for special applications:
One-pot and industrial manufacturing of cardanol-based polyoxyethylene
With the rapid development of PVC industry, the global market of plasticizer is going to exceed 111billion dollars in 2025 (In, 2025). Among the plasticizers, phthalates mainly composed by dioctyl phthalate (DOP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) occupy over 65% of the global market because of their high performances and low prices.
Specialty Plasticizers for Rubber/Elastomers | Hallstar
The elastomer requires antioxidants, anti-ozonants, fungicides, plasticizers, tackifiers and flame-retardants as the occasion and severity of the application demands. It can be cured with sulfur or peroxide systems. High ACN polymers require high polarity plasticizers, low ACN polymers require low polarity plasticizers.
Plasticisers - Information Center
They give PVC the flexibility and elasticity needed for many different applications, particularly in construction (sheathing for electric cables, roofing membranes, flooring and wall coverings), in the automobile industry (trim, cables, under body sealants), furniture and artificial leather goods.
- How can plasticizers be used in industrial applications?
- External plasticization using low molecular weight plasticizers is the most widely applied approach in industrial applications. The glass transition temperatures and the mechanical properties (elastic modulus) of CA systems with different plasticizer contents are reported in Table 2.
- 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 the role of plasticizers in polymers?
- The primary role of plasticizers is to improve the flexibility and processability of polymers by lowering the second order transition temperature . Plasticizers are actually low molecular weight (MW) resins or liquids, which form secondary bonds to polymer chains and spread them apart.
- Which polymers are plasticized?
- The plasticizers produced have been applied in 60 polymers and more than 30 groups of products. Industrially, the most common plasticized polymers are PVC, poly (vinyl butyral) (PVB), poly (vinyl acetate) (PVAc), acrylics, cellulose molding compounds, nylon, polyamides and certain copolyamides.
- What are plasticizers & oligomers?
- Plasticizers of this type might allow us to prevent leaching of plasticizers as well as formulate plastics with desired mechanical properties. Polymeric plasticizers and oligomers are now being produced commercially. A wide variety of these plasticizers are available to provide desired properties to different polymers.
- 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.
