English
中文简体Primary plasticizers enhance elongation and softness while remaining chemically stable. Examples include phthalates and trimellitates such as TOTM, TINTM, and DTDP.
1. DOP/DEHP
The most common phthalate used to make PVC soft and flexible. It is found in medical tubing and bags (blood, dialysis, nasogastric) and also in toys, garden hoses and rainwear. DEHP has been shown to cause neurotoxicity in rats and is an endocrine disruptor. It leaches into aqueous liquids, binds strongly to soil, and is slowly absorbed into water. It extracts faster into nonpolar solvents such as oil.
DEHP is the phthalate ester of the alcohol 2-ethylhexanol and has three stereoisomers. It is normally produced via the dimerisation of butyraldehyde, which itself is synthesised from propylene. DEHP is relatively low in volatility and shows good plasticizing efficiency and fusion rate.
2. DINP
This phthalate ester is used to improve the flexibility, pliability, and elasticity of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic products such as vinyl and faux leather, electrical wire and cable insulation, and tubing and hoses. It is also used in PVC-free formulations such as rubbers, lubricants, and adhesives.
DINP has a low paste viscosity and is easy to work with in manufacturing settings. It also has low migration properties and outdoor weather resistance.
Like DOP and DEHP, DINP is endocrine disrupting and causes reproductive harm in humans. In lab rats, high exposure to DINP can cause testicular malformations and female-like nipples. In California, products that contain DINP require a Prop 65 warning.
3. DPHP
Dipropyl hexyl phthalate is a viscous and oily plasticizer with excellent compatibility with polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It is often used in PVC products that require a high level of durability, as it provides good weather resistance. It also has lower migration rates than many other phthalate plasticizers.
DPHP has taken the place of LMW phthalates in our house dust and SPM samples, although it still represents only a small share of these substances. In both matrices, the concentration and patterns of DPHP remained nearly unchanged over our study period.
Like DIOP, DPHP is not considered to pose health risks and it is widely used in electrical wires and cables. It is also used in coating plastisols and lubricating oils.
4. TOTM
The large majority of the flexible PVC used in many market segments is compounded by calendering, extrusion and spread coating processes. These films, sheet and coated fabrics are used in table cloths, packaging, swimming pool liners, tarpaulins, office products and other plasticized fabrics.
These materials require general performance properties including compatibility, outdoor weatherability and low-temperature flexibility. In these applications, superior plasticizer permanence is not as important.
For these end-uses, GP plasticizers like DOP, DINP and DPHP are common choices. However, for some specific markets such as building wire insulation and cable jacketing, more permanent plasticizers are required. These are usually the more highly volatile trimellitates like TOTM, TINTM and n-butyryltri-n-hexyl citrates.
5. TINTM
Eastman's portfolio of benzoate ester plasticizers includes TINTM, which can be used as a general purpose plasticizer in a wide range of polymer systems. Typical end-uses include resilient flooring, caulks and sealants. Energetic materials pyrotechnic compositions such as smokeless gunpowders and rocket propellants use energetic plasticizers to improve the physical properties and specific energy yield.
TINTM provides a balance of cost and properties. It has lower volatility than TOTM, offers low migration to electronics, good ageing-resistance and can be blended with higher molecular weight phthalate plasticizers such as DTDP and DPHP in the manufacture of PVC products designed for more severe temperature requirements.
6. 425
Like water used to soften clay and oil to soften pitch for waterproofing boats, plasticizers are colorless, odorless liquids that are major functional additives to help polyvinyl chloride (PVC) bend without breaking and conform to the shape of the product. They can also increase the thermoplasticity of the PVC, reduce its glass transition temperature (Tg) and melt temperature, lower the viscosity and improve its elasticity.
Eastman is introducing an enhanced version of its industry-leading Eastman 168 non-phthalate general purpose plasticizer called 168 SG. It offers an easy replacement for DINP and tris (2-ethylhexyl) trimellitate (TOTM). This new sensitive plasticizer provides formulation flexibility with an excellent toxicological profile and low migration into food.
