Sofia Martinez
Plasticizers are additives used in plastics to increase their flexibility, softness, durability, and pliability. They are commonly added to polymers and plastics such as PVC to make them easier to handle during manufacturing and to meet the demands of the end product. Plasticizers can comprise 15-50% of a PVC formulation, and by changing the type and amount used, the properties of the plastic can be tailored to specific requirements. For example, increasing the concentration of plasticizers increases flexibility but decreases tensile strength. Plasticizers are also used in other materials such as rubber, adhesives, concrete, and stucco. While they have transformed the use and applications of plastics, there are concerns about the safety of some plasticizers and their potential impact on health and the environment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A plasticizer is a substance added to plastics to increase softness and flexibility, decrease viscosity, and/or decrease friction during handling and manufacturing. |
| Types | Phthalates, adipates, azelates, citrates, benzoates, terephthalates, sebacates, trimellitates, fatty acid esters, dicarbonates, phosphates, chlorinated paraffins, alkyl sulfonic acid esters, etc. |
| Applications | Plasticizers are used in polyvinyl chloride (PVC), synthetic rubber, adhesives, concrete, stucco, acrylic resins, and other polymers. |
| Benefits | Improved flexibility, durability, longevity, biodegradability, and extensibility of plastics. Facilitates handling of raw materials and meets demands of end products. |
| Safety Concerns | Potential endocrine disruptors, developmental toxicity, and environmental impact. Regulatory concerns have led to a move away from certain classified substances. |
| Commercial Usage | Approximately 50 plasticizers are used commercially due to performance, availability, cost, and regulatory factors. |
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What You'll Learn
Plasticizers make plastics softer and more flexible
Plasticizers are additives incorporated into plastics to increase their softness and flexibility, among other desirable properties. They are commonly added to polymers and plastics such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) to improve their handling during fabrication and meet the demands of the end product.
PVC, without plasticizers, is hard and brittle. However, with the addition of plasticizers, it becomes flexible and suitable for various applications, such as vinyl siding, roofing, flooring, plumbing, and electric wire insulation. Plasticizers reduce the viscosity of the polymer melt, allowing for easier processing and shaping of the plastic material.
The type and amount of plasticizer used can be tailored to achieve specific properties. For example, increasing the concentration of plasticizers generally increases flexibility and reduces hardness. Plasticizers can also improve durability, longevity, biodegradability, and extensibility.
Phthalates are commonly used plasticizers in PVC and other plastics. Examples include diisononyl phthalate (DINP), which is known for its durability, flexibility, and heat resistance. Other phthalate plasticizers include dimethyl phthalate (DMP), used in fragrances and insect repellents, and dibutyl phthalate (DBP), used in insecticides and fragrance fixatives.
Bio-based plasticizers are also available, derived from natural sources such as epoxidized soybean oil (ESBO), epoxidized linseed oil (ELO), castor oil, palm oil, and other vegetable oils. The selection of the appropriate plasticizer grade and type is critical to achieving the desired properties in the final plastic product.
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They improve durability and longevity
Plasticizers are additives that improve the durability and longevity of plastics. They are commonly added to polymers and plastics such as PVC, either to facilitate the handling of the raw material during fabrication or to meet the demands of the end product's application.
PVC is one of the most durable materials in the world due to the plasticizers added to it. It can last up to 50 years without damage. By adding plasticizers, PVC becomes suitable for a wide range of applications, including pipes, sidings, window profiles, and medical devices. It is also used for automotive trims and interiors, cables, PVC films, flooring, roofing, and wall coverings.
The type and amount of plasticizer used can be adjusted to tailor the properties of the plastic to meet specific requirements. For example, increasing the plasticizer concentration increases flexibility, while decreasing the concentration increases tensile strength and hardness. This customizability allows for a wide range of applications, improving the durability and longevity of the final product.
The use of plasticizers in PVC has been crucial to its success in various industries. By improving the durability and longevity of PVC, plasticizers have contributed to its widespread adoption in construction, automotive, and wire and cable sectors. The ability to customize the properties of PVC through plasticizers has been instrumental in expanding its range of applications.
In addition to PVC, plasticizers are also used in other polymers such as acrylics, PET, polyolefins, and polyurethanes. They are constantly being evaluated for safety, and their widespread usage has led to extensive research and testing for potential health and environmental impacts. The discovery and development of plasticizers have transformed the plastic industry, allowing for more durable and long-lasting plastic products.
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Plasticizers are used in many industries
Plasticizers are organic chemicals that improve the flexibility, viscosity, softness, friction level, and plasticity of materials. They are used in many industries, including the medical, telecommunications, automotive, electrical, flooring, construction, and fragrance industries.
In the medical industry, plasticizers are used in medical thermoforming to create IV bags and flexible devices. In telecommunications, they are used to form durable, low-friction, flexible casing to go around wires and cables. In the automotive industry, ditridecyl phthalate (DTDP) is used as a plasticizer for automotive cables and wire applications. Plasticizers are also used in electrical wire insulation and coating.
Plasticizers are also used in flooring materials, such as vinyl flooring, and in the construction industry, particularly in concrete and stucco. Adding a small amount of plasticizer to concrete allows for the use of less water, creating a stronger, more workable substance. This is also true of wallboard stucco, where plasticizers improve workability and reduce the energy consumed in drying.
Phthalate-based plasticizers are used in fragrances and in industrial processes as a solvent or carrier. Common phthalate plasticizers include dimethyl phthalate (DMP) and diethyl phthalate (DEP), which are used in fragrances. Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) is used in perfumes and cosmetics, as well as in food wraps and adhesives. Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBzP) is used in vinyl tiles, traffic cones, food conveyor belts, artificial leather, and plastic foams. Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), also known as dioctyl phthalate (DOP), has been used in flooring materials, medical devices, consumer products, and high explosives.
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They can be tailored to meet specific requirements
Plasticizers are organic chemicals that can be tailored to meet specific requirements. They are used to improve the flexibility, viscosity, softness, friction level, and plasticity of materials. Plasticizers are most commonly added to polymers and plastics such as PVC, comprising 15-50% of a PVC formulation. The type and amount of plasticizer used can be adjusted to meet the desired properties of the material. For example, increasing the concentration of plasticizers increases flexibility and reduces hardness.
Different types of plasticizers have different properties and can be selected based on criteria such as low toxicity, compatibility with the host material, non-volatility, and cost. For instance, phthalate esters are commonly used plasticizers due to their low toxicity and compatibility with PVC. However, due to regulatory concerns over potential health and environmental effects, there has been a move away from classified substances towards non-classified alternatives, especially in Europe.
Bio-based plasticizers are another option, derived from natural sources such as epoxidized soybean oil (ESBO), epoxidized linseed oil (ELO), castor oil, palm oil, and other vegetable oils. These alternatives offer a more sustainable choice without compromising performance.
The selection of the right plasticizer is critical to achieving the desired properties in the final product. Osborne Industries, for instance, offers customizable resin systems tailored to meet specific requirements for impact and abrasion resistance, corrosion resistance, flame resistance, smoke suppression, UV resistance, and more.
Overall, plasticizers play a crucial role in the plastics industry by allowing manufacturers to customize the properties of materials to meet specific requirements. Through careful selection and modification of plasticizers, it is possible to create plastics with enhanced flexibility, durability, and performance characteristics suited to a wide range of applications.
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Plasticizers are constantly evaluated for safety
The Registration for Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), the world's strictest safety regulator, has determined that nearly all plasticizers are safe. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also deemed them safe. In 2014, the European Commission (EC) re-evaluated the restriction on plasticizers DINP and DIDP and concluded that they pose no unacceptable risk in articles that can be placed in the mouth. The EC also approved their use in all current consumer applications.
Despite these endorsements, concerns have been raised about the safety of some polymer plasticizers, particularly low molecular weight ortho-phthalates, which have been linked to potential endocrine disruption and developmental toxicity. Plasticizers can escape from plastics through migration and abrasion, as they are not bound to the polymer matrix. The "new car smell," for example, is often attributed to plasticizers or their degradation products. However, studies have found that phthalates are not present in significant amounts in this context due to their low volatility and vapour pressure.
Regulatory concerns have led to a shift away from classified ortho-phthalates towards non-classified alternatives, particularly high molecular weight ortho-phthalates, in Europe. This transition aims to address the potential health and environmental risks associated with specific plasticizers.
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Frequently asked questions
Plasticizers are non-volatile chemical solvents added to plastics to increase properties such as flexibility, softness, durability, and longevity.
Plasticizers are added to plastics to make them softer and more flexible. They also help to improve a product's elastic modulus.
Plasticizers are made from a variety of substances, including phthalates, fatty acid esters, and dicarbonates. Bio-based plasticizers are also available, made from vegetable oils, starches, and sugars.
Plasticizers are most commonly added to polyvinyl chloride (PVC). They are also added to other plastics such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP).
The safety of plasticizers has been a subject of concern, especially regarding potential endocrine disruption and developmental toxicity. Regulatory bodies have taken steps to limit the use of certain plasticizers, and extensive research and testing are ongoing.
