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Plasticizers

Plasticizers are additives that are added to polymers to increase their flexibility and processability. They work by inserting themselves between polymer chains and increasing the distance between the chains. Major types include phthalates, citrates, and phosphates. Phthalates are the most widely used plasticizers, especially for PVC. Selection depends on factors like compatibility with the polymer, processing needs, and desired material properties. While plasticizers are effective at modifying polymers, they may also leach or migrate out of materials over time, posing potential health and environmental risks.

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412 views19 pages

Plasticizers

Plasticizers are additives that are added to polymers to increase their flexibility and processability. They work by inserting themselves between polymer chains and increasing the distance between the chains. Major types include phthalates, citrates, and phosphates. Phthalates are the most widely used plasticizers, especially for PVC. Selection depends on factors like compatibility with the polymer, processing needs, and desired material properties. While plasticizers are effective at modifying polymers, they may also leach or migrate out of materials over time, posing potential health and environmental risks.

Uploaded by

Pathik Shah
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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PLASTICIZERS

Content
• What are plasticizers?
• History
• Types of polymers
• Principle of action
• Effect on polymers
• Principle of selection
• Plasticizers for plastics
• Techniques
• Classes of plasticizers
• Risks and drawbacks
• Properties
• Applications
What are plasticizers?
Plasticizers are additives that are added
to increase the plasticity or fluidity of a
material.
They serve to soften polymeric materials.
Thus, the primary role of plasticizers is
to improve the flexibility and
processability of polymers.
History
• Plasticizers have long been known for their
effectiveness in producing flexible plastics for
applications ranging from the automotive
industry to medical and consumer products.
• In the early days, camphor was used to
plasticize celluloid. Soon afterwards, camphor
was substituted by tricresyl phosphate. This
compound is still in use for PVC.
• Phthalic acid esters were introduced in 1920 and
are still the most important class of plasticizers
today.
Types of polymers
• Plasticizers are used for several types of
polymers, including:
 Poly(vinyl chloride)
 Acrylics
 Cellulosics
 Epoxy
 Phenolic
 Poly(amide)
 Poly(urethane)
 Aminoplasts
 Linear poly(esters)
 Elastomers
Principle of action
• Plasticizers exhibit usually low molecular
weight. They are forming secondary bonds
with polymer chains and thus increase the
intermolecular distance of the polymer
chains.
• In other words, they spread the polymer
chains apart. A softer, more easily
deformable bulk material is obtained.
Effect on polymers
• In crystalline polymers, the crystalline region
remains unaffected, because plasticizers enter
only the amorphous regions of polymers.
• Plasticizers are reducing the modulus, tensile
strength, hardness, density, melt viscosity, glass
transition temperature, and volume resistivity of
a polymer.
• In contrast, they are increasing the flexibility,
elongation at break, toughness, dielectric
constant and power factor.
• In order to avoid phase separation, plasticizers
should be highly compatible with the base
polymer.
Principle of selection
• Plasticizers are generally selected on the basis of the
following criteria:
 Compatibility of a plasticizer with a given polymer.
 Processing characteristics
 Desired thermal, electrical and mechanical properties of
the end product.
 Resistance to water, chemicals, solar radiation,
weathering, dirt and micro-organisms.
 Effect of plasticizer on rheological properties of polymer.
 Toxicity
 Costs
Plasticizers for plastics
• Plasticizers for plastics are additives, most commonly
phthalate esters in PVC applications.
• Almost 90% of the market for plasticizer is for PVC, giving this
material improved flexibility and durability. The majority is
used in films and cables.
• It was commonly thought that plasticizers work by embedding
themselves between the chains of polymers, spacing them
apart (increasing the "free volume") and thus significantly
lowering the glass transition temperature.
• For plastics such as PVC, the more plasticizer added, the
lower their cold flex temperature will be. This means that the
plastic will be more flexible and its durability will increase as a
result of it.
• Plasticizers evaporate and tend to concentrate in an enclosed
space, the "new car smell" is caused mostly by plasticizers
evaporating from the car interior.
Techniques
• There are two techniques for plasticization :

 External plasticization is a method that provides


plasticity through physical mixing. Thus, external
plasticizers are not chemically bound to the
polymer and can evaporate or migrate.

 Plasticization of polymers by incorporation of


comonomers or reaction with the polymer,
providing flexible chain units is called an internal
plasticization.
Classes of Plasticizers
• Phthalate Plasticizers : In phthalate esters,
the benzene nucleus highly enhances the
compatibility to PVC. Phthalates with short alkyl
chains are easier to formulate since they diffuse
faster.
• Cyclohexanoic Diesters : The use of these
esters produces formulations with increased
stability to UV light, improved low temperature
properties, lower viscosity and reduce smoke on
burning.
• Phosphate Plasticizers : Phosphate based
plasticizers impart flame retardant properties.
Most common is tricresyl phosphate.
Classes of Plasticizers
• Aliphatic Esters : The esters of
aliphatic dicarboxylic acids, such as
adipates, azelates, and sebacates exhibit
high plasticizing effectiveness with PVC
and PVAc and also provide excellent low
temperature flexibility.
• Polymeric Plasticizers : Polymeric
plasticizers are advantageous due to their
inherent low volatility. These materials can
be tailored to be highly compatible with the
host polymer.
Classes of Plasticizers
Classes of Plasticizers
Phthalates, Dibutylsebacate, Dioctyladipate
Risks and Drawbacks
• Leaching and Migration: Leaching refers to the removal
of a substance in a solid material by the extraction of a
liquid medium. On the other hand, migration refers to any
phenomena by which a component escapes from a
material. Plasticizers escaping from the polymer, often
provide toxicity risks for health and environment. It can be
reduced by coating the polymer surface.
• Inherent toxicity : DOP use in medical plastics, has
been found at detectable levels in the blood supply and
potential health risks may arise from its chronic exposure.
A further issue is the use of phthalates in baby care
products and toys. Benzoate based platicizers have been
developed to account for the leaching problems.
Properties of a plasticizer
• To improve polymer processability and
mechanical properties.
• Decreases the intermolecular forces
between the polymer chains, resulting in a
softened and flexible polymeric matrix.
• Increase the polymer's elongation by
loweing the melting and softening points.
• They are often inert organic compounds
with low molecular weight, high boiling
points and low vapour pressures.
Applications
• Dioctyl phthalate used in flooring materials,
carpets,notebook covers and high explosives.
• Dibutyl phthalate used for cellulose plastics, food
wraps, adhesives, perfumes, and cosmetics.
• Trimellitates are used in automobile interiors and
other applications where resistance to high
temperature is required.
• Some plasticizers are used in rocket propellants
and smokeless powders.
• Plasticizers with better biodegradability and fewer
biochemical effects are being developed and
these can be used as food additives, food
packagings, medical products and children toys.
Bibliography
• A concise introduction to additives for
thermoplastic polymers by Johannes Karl
Fink
• Wikipedia
Thank You

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