TOTM Plasticizer is a phthalate-free plasticizer with excellent elevated temperature properties. It has a low migration rate and good extraction resistance properties.
Extraction studies have shown that TOTM performs better than DOP and DOA. It also performs better than the three citrate offerings.
TOTM resists crazing far better than alternative plasticizers and even beats DEHP. It’s an excellent choice for medical devices.
Low Migration
TOTM is a safe, non-phthalate plasticizer that has good extraction resistance and low volatility. It is used in applications where stability and high purity are of critical importance such as dishwater gaskets.
In previous migration studies, the phthalate alternative TOTM has shown to be a safe and effective substitute for DEHP in medical devices. However, the concentrations of TOTM released into the infusion fluid depend on the infusion rate: TOTM migrates significantly more than DEHP when the infusion rate is high.
Low Extraction
TOTM is a primary plasticizer that exhibits very low extraction properties in saline solutions. This makes it ideal for applications that require a low level of plasticizer migration, such as dishwasher gaskets and photograph storage. It also works well in blended systems with other plasticizers that have lower volatility such as DUP or DOTP.
A recent study conducted by Eastman comparing the extraction rate of various PVC compounds in saline solutions found that TOTM and acetyltri-n-butyl citrate resisted extraction much better than DEHP did. The study further determined that the selection of priming fluid had a significant effect on plasticizer migration, with lipid and protein-containing fluids promoting higher levels of migration than simple sodium chloride.9% solution prime.
Low Volatility
TOTM is used in PVC applications where extreme low volatility is required such as dishwasher gaskets, automotive interior or molded parts and telephone wire. It also works well in blends with other plasticizers with lower volatility like DOTP.
Its low volatility reduces the potential for VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions into the atmosphere and provides greater resistance to extractability by soapy water. TOTM also retains elongation better than ortho phthalates at low temperatures, providing excellent flexibility and reducing yellowing.
TOTM is a primary branched monomeric plasticizer for vinyl homopolymer and copolymer resins with low volatility. Its low migration and extraction properties make it ideal for use in vinyl products, automotive interiors, electrical, flexible medical plastic, and vinyl compounds. TOTM has a mild ester odor and is free from solid impurities. This primary plasticizer has a very low BTE and exhibits excellent reactivity with vinyl chloride. It is compatible with nitrocellulose, ethyl cellulose and most synthetic rubbers.
High Durability
The low volatility of TOTM Plasticizer allows it to be used in applications requiring elongation retention such as high-temperature PVC wire coatings. It also resists extraction by soapy water and offers excellent chemical resistance properties. It also helps to protect the material from yellowing due to external effects, such as sunlight.
TOTM resists crazing better than DOTP and other alternative plasticizers, although it does not perform as well as polymer plasticizers. This characteristic can be advantageous in medical compounds where device manufacturers want to avoid serious crazing failures that can occur when phthalate esters are used.
TOTM has a higher molecular weight than DEHP, which reduces its ability to be absorbed into the porous resin particles during compounding. This leads to slower absorption than DOTP and other monomeric plasticizers. Sediment cores show that phthalates and NPPs accumulate more rapidly in rivers, streams and the inner parts of bays than in the outer areas, consistent with their production history.