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Plasticizer Raw Material are chemical additives used to facilitate the manufacture of plastic products. They are typically added to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) to make it soft and pliable, which allows it to be formed into a variety of shapes and sizes.
Esters of phthalic acid are the main plasticizers used, representing over 85% of global consumption. There are many other options that can be used, however, including terephthalates, epoxy, aliphatics and trimellitates.
Phthalic Anhydride
Phthalic anhydride is the raw material for the production of phthalate plasticizers and other chemicals. It is a white solid or clear molten liquid with an irritating odor and hydrolyses to phthalic acid in hot water. It is incompatible with acids, bases, oxidizing agents and alcohols. It reacts violently with copper oxide or sodium nitrite to form toxic gases.
It is produced by catalytic oxidation of o-xylene or naphthalene by fixed bed reactors and conventional switch condensers. It is also used for the manufacture of phthalins, benzoic acid and alkyd resins (used in paints and varnishes, surface coatings and adhesives) and synthetic indigo.
Phthalate Esters
Phthalate esters are a large class of plasticizers commonly used in polyvinyl chloride production. They are also present in a variety of consumer products and can be detected in soils contaminated by plastic film. They are a common pollutant in the environment and some have been identified as carcinogenic to humans.
Unlike phthalic anhydride, phthalate diesters are high production volume chemicals that are used to impart flexibility to PVC and other plastics. They are found in a wide range of products including children’s toys and medical tubing. Certain phthalates inhibit reproductive development in mammals.
Phthalate esters such as di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP) are known human endocrine disruptors. Concentrations of these PAEs were determined in soils from intensively managed suburban vegetable production bases in east China using gas chromatography-flame ionization detection.
Benzoate Esters
Benzoate esters are the reaction product of a short aromatic acid such as benzoic acid with a fatty alcohol. They are colorless, oily liquids that can be fat soluble depending on the length of their chain (up to iso-decanol).
They are generally miscible with most organic solvents and soluble in methanol and ethyl acetate. They also exhibit good stability and low temperature properties.
Aliphatic Dibasic Acid Esters
The dibasic ester market is dominated by mixtures of dimethyl glutarate, dimethyl succinate and dimethyl adipate. These are used in paints (coil, enamel, automotive and waterborne), solvents, plasticizers, resins, binders, soil stabilization, chemical grouting, oilfield drilling fluids, crop protection products, cedar spray and adhesives.
Dibasic esters exhibit low temperature fluidity, volatility, good oxidative stability and perform well in lubricity, corrosion and other bench tests. They also demonstrate good biodegradability and are non-toxic. They can replace toxic, odor-stimulating isophorone, cyclohexanone and various high-boiling ether solvents in industrial coatings. They are readily soluble in alcohols, ketones, ethers and most hydrocarbons. They are slowly evaporating, easy to handle and safe in handling. They are a cost-effective alternative to isophorone and other expensive solvents. They can be formulated to meet a wide variety of application needs including coin steel, bakelite, tin plate printing and vessel/can coatings.
Trimellitates
The Trimellitates are a group of esters of trimellitic anhydride with aliphatic linear or branched alcohols. The most important member of the group is Trioctyl Trimellitate (TOTM) which is used to plasticize polyvinyl chloride, ethylene-chloroethylene copolymer and ethyl cellulose. It offers good compatibility, low temperature properties and ease of processing as well as a high degree of permanence.
