The knowledge of Dioctyl Phthalate

Dioctyl Phthalate (DOP) is a plasticizer that is used in making polyvinyl chloride. It is known for its good stability to heat and ultraviolet light, and is compatible with many PVC resins.

DOP is used in various applications including screen printing inks, paints and coatings, lubricants and greases. It can also be used as a solvent in glow sticks.

General Use Plasticizer

Dioctyl Phthalate (DOP) is a long-time plasticizer for polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It’s well known for its good stability to heat and ultraviolet light, and broad compatibility for use with PVC resins.

DOP is a monomeric plasticizer that offers a balance of properties and economical cost, making it a popular choice for general-purpose applications. This DOP is used in a wide variety of products including screen printing inks, paints and coatings, and lubricants and greases.

Phthalates are widely used as plasticizers for flexible plastics such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). They make the plastics softer and more flexible. They are also used as a release agent in medical devices such as IV catheters, nasogastric tubes, dialysis tubing, blood bags and transfusion tubing.

Screen Printing Inks

Dioctyl Phthalate is a commonly used screen printing ink. It has good solvency properties and can be added to a variety of binders.

In general, a screen printing ink consists of a film-former or binder resin that is in a dilute solution. It also contains a dye or pigment in a solvent, usually a ketone.

When plastisol inks are made, they contain polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin and a plasticizer liquid. Under heat, the PVC resin absorbs the plasticizer and transforms it into a solid.

The phthalates in plastisols are harmful to the environment and can be a source of carcinogenic exposure. As a result, major brands have demanded that screen printers use PVC-free inks.

Water based inks, on the other hand, do not contain a PVC resin or plasticizer and are much less toxic. They are also much easier to clean up and don't need specialized chemicals for waste disposal.

Paints & Coatings

Dioctyl Phthalate is a common & widely used plasticizer, mostly in PVC resins as a flexible & durable PVC plastic material. It has a wide range of characteristics such as good plasticizing efficiency, low volatility, excellent UV-resistance, water-extracting proof, cold-resisting property and softness and electric property, making it an ideal choice for a variety of applications.

Besides being a general use plasticizer, DOP can also be used as an exempt solvent in coating formulations & as a base coat in paints. Its low cost, long time industry standard, high stability to heat and ultraviolet light makes it an attractive option for many coating application.

It is also a common ingredient in nitrocellulose lacquers, a quick drying, durable and hardwearing paint type, with cellulose dissolved in nitric acid, alkyd resin and polyvinyl phthalate (PVD) as the main component of the coating. These are often used in automotive & wood working, and the addition of zinc chromate and phosphoric acid enhances anti-rust properties for metal painting.

Lubricants & Greases

Dioctyl Phthalate (DOP) is a colorless, clear liquid that is not soluble in water. It is used as a plasticizer in PVC paste and pulp mixtures, a hydraulic or dielectric fluid in capacitors, and as an additive to many other products.

It is an excellent lubricant that offers good stability against heat, ultraviolet light, and wide compatibility. It also has good fusion rate, reasonable viscosity, and is inexpensive.

Despite its excellent performance, DOP is sometimes associated with health complications, especially in pregnant women. Therefore, its use is being limited.