Alexei Volkov
Plasticizers are substances that are added to materials to make them softer, more flexible, and easier to handle. They are commonly added to polymers and plastics, particularly polyvinyl chloride (PVC), to improve their flexibility, viscosity, softness, friction level, and plasticity. Plasticizers are organic chemicals that are either liquids or solids with low volatility. They are key to the usability of PVC, which is the third most widely used plastic. Without plasticizers, PVC is hard and brittle, but with them, it can be used for vinyl siding, roofing, vinyl flooring, and plumbing. Plasticizers are also added to concrete formulations to make them more workable and fluid for pouring.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Form | Liquids or solids |
| Colour | Colourless |
| Volatility | Low |
| Viscosity | Decreases |
| Friction | Decreases |
| Plasticity | Increases |
| Flexibility | Increases |
| Softness | Increases |
| Durability | Increases |
| Compatibility | With polymers, plastics, rubber, adhesives, concrete, stucco, PVC |
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What You'll Learn
Plasticizers make materials softer and more flexible
Plasticizers are substances that are added to materials, usually polymers such as plastics and rubber, to make them softer and more flexible. They are also added to adhesives, concrete, and stucco.
Plasticizers are typically colorless, low-volatility liquids or solids. They are bulky organic molecules, generally weighing between 300 and 600 g/mole. They are added to raw polymers to improve their flexibility, make them easier to shape and mold, and reduce friction on their surface. They work by embedding themselves between the chains of polymers, acting as a buffer and increasing the "free volume." This process is known as plasticization, which refers to the modification of thermal and mechanical properties of a polymer. Plasticizers lower the glass transition temperature (Tg) of polymers, which is the temperature at which a polymer transforms from a hard, glassy material to a soft, rubbery material.
The most common plasticizers are phthalates, which are esters of phthalic acids. Phthalates are popular for their ability to retain their flexibility and durability over time. Other types of plasticizers include dicarbonates, phosphates, and fatty acid esters. The choice of plasticizer depends on various criteria, such as cost, compatibility, processibility, permanence, and other performance properties.
Plasticizers are used in a wide range of applications across many industries. One of the most common applications is in PVC (polyvinyl chloride), which is the third most widely used plastic. Without plasticizers, PVC is hard and brittle, but with plasticizers, it becomes flexible and suitable for products such as vinyl siding, roofing, flooring, plumbing, and electric wire insulation. Plasticizers are also added to concrete formulations to make them more fluid and workable for pouring and mixing, reducing the drying time.
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They improve plasticity, viscosity, and friction levels
Plasticizers are low-molecular-weight substances that are added to polymers to improve their plasticity, viscosity, softness, and friction levels. They are commonly added to plastics such as PVC to make them more flexible and durable, and easier to handle during manufacturing.
PVC is a widely used material across various industries, including the food and construction industries. Without plasticizers, PVC is hard and brittle. By adding plasticizers, it becomes suitable for products such as vinyl siding, roofing, vinyl flooring, plumbing, and electric wire insulation.
The most common type of plasticizer used with PVC is phthalates, which are esters of phthalic acids. Phthalates are popular for their ability to retain their flexibility and durability over time. They are also used in other applications such as car upholstery and shoe coatings.
Other types of plasticizers include dicarbonates, which are used in shaping PVC at lower temperatures; phosphates, which are used to make materials flame retardant; and fatty acid esters, which are added to rubber and vinyl to improve flexibility.
The choice of plasticizer depends on various criteria such as low toxicity, compatibility with the host material, non-volatility, and cost. Plasticizers are selected to impart specific properties to the base polymers, making them suitable for particular applications.
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Plasticizers are used in concrete to make it more workable
Plasticizers are chemical compounds that are added to materials to enhance their flexibility and durability. They are typically used in polymers and plastics, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), to improve their plasticity and make them easier to handle during the manufacturing process.
In the context of concrete, plasticizers are used to make it more workable and fluid for pouring. They achieve this by reducing the amount of water needed in the concrete mix. The strength of concrete is inversely proportional to the amount of water added; by decreasing the water content, plasticizers help create a stronger and more durable concrete mixture. This reduction in water content also makes the concrete less likely to crack and more resistant to cold temperatures.
Plasticizers are particularly useful when working with high-strength concrete or fiber-reinforced concrete, where the mix often includes pozzolanic ash. Adding one to two percent of a plasticizer per unit weight of cement is typically sufficient to achieve the desired results.
There are several types of plasticizers used in concrete, including water-reducing plasticizers, superplasticizers, and retarding plasticizers. Water-reducing plasticizers, as the name suggests, focus on reducing the water content in the mix. Superplasticizers, also known as high-range water reducers, are synthetic polymer additives that can decrease the water content by 30% or more, resulting in high-strength concrete. Retarding plasticizers, on the other hand, slow down the setting and hardening of concrete, which can be advantageous in hot or dry weather conditions.
Overall, plasticizers play a crucial role in improving the workability, performance, and durability of concrete while also enhancing its strength by reducing the water-to-cement ratio.
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They are added to polymers and plastics like PVC
Plasticizers are added to polymers and plastics like PVC to make them more flexible, durable, and easier to handle during the manufacturing process. They are low-volatility liquids or solids that work themselves into the polymer chains, acting as a buffer between the segments of molecules. This reduces friction and makes the material softer and more pliable.
PVC, for example, is a hard, rigid, and brittle material in its raw state, used in water and sewer pipes. However, with the addition of plasticizers, it becomes flexible and suitable for a variety of applications, including shower curtains, tubes, cable covers, vinyl siding, roofing, flooring, plumbing, and electric wire insulation.
The choice of plasticizer depends on several factors, including cost, compatibility with the host material, non-volatility, and efficiency. Phthalates, for instance, are commonly used as plasticizers in PVC due to their compatibility and ability to retain flexibility and durability over time. Other types of plasticizers include dicarbonates, which are used in shaping PVC at lower temperatures, and phosphates, which are added to make materials flame retardant.
Plasticizers are also used in other industries, such as medical thermoforming to create IV bags and flexible devices, and telecommunications to form durable, flexible casing for wires and cables. They are even added to concrete formulations to make them more workable and fluid for pouring.
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Plasticizers are organic chemicals that improve material handling
PVC is a widely used material across various industries, including the food, agriculture, construction, and telecommunications industries. Without plasticizers, PVC remains hard and rigid. By adding plasticizers, PVC can be used for products such as vinyl siding, roofing, vinyl flooring, plumbing, and electric wire insulation.
The choice of plasticizer depends on several criteria, including low toxicity, compatibility with the host material, non-volatility, and cost. Phthalate esters, for example, are common plasticizers that meet these specifications. However, due to regulatory concerns, there has been a move away from classified substances towards non-classified alternatives, especially in Europe.
Plasticizers work by embedding themselves between the chains of polymers, increasing the distance between them. This disrupts the polymer-polymer interactions and promotes the plasticity and flexibility of the material. The molecules of the plasticizer act as a buffer between the segments of molecules in the polymer.
Plasticizers are also used in other materials, such as concrete, to make them more workable and fluid for pouring. They reduce the amount of water needed, creating a stronger and quicker-drying substance.
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Frequently asked questions
A plasticizer is a substance added to materials, usually polymers, to make them softer, more flexible, and easier to handle.
Plasticizers are added to polymers to improve their flexibility, plasticity, viscosity, softness, and friction levels. They also make the polymer solution more suitable for film coating.
Over 30,000 substances have been tested for use as plasticizers, but only about 50 are commercially available today. Common plasticizers include phthalates, fatty acid esters, dicarbonates, and phosphates.
Plasticizers are used in a wide range of industries, including medical, telecommunications, automotive, electrical, and construction. They are commonly added to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) to make it suitable for products such as vinyl siding, roofing, plumbing, and electric wire insulation.
There have been concerns over the safety of some polymer plasticizers, especially low molecular weight ortho-phthalates, which have been associated with potential endocrine disruption. However, regulatory organizations such as REACH and the FDA have determined that most plasticizers are safe.
