What is Plasticizer？
Plasticizers are a class of chemicals widely used in plastic products to improve their flexibility, ductility, and processability. They increase the plasticity of the plastic and reduce its brittleness, making it easier to bend, stretch, and mold. Plasticizers are typically in liquid or solid form and can be mixed with plastic resins to form pliable materials.
Plasticizers have extensive applications in the plastics industry and can be used in the manufacturing of various plastic products, such as packaging materials, wires and cables, pipes, plastic films, and plastic containers. They provide specific properties required for plastic products, such as softness, transparency, heat resistance, cold resistance, and chemical resistance.
Common plasticizers include phthalate esters (such as di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate or DEHP), phosphates, epoxy resins, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plasticizers. Selecting the appropriate plasticizer is crucial to achieving the desired plastic properties based on specific needs and requirements.
What is the use of plasticizers？
The function of plasticizers is to modify the properties and characteristics of polymers, mainly in the following aspects:
Increase of plasticising flexibility and plasticity
The molecules of plasticizers can insert themselves between polymer chains, increasing the distance between the chains and weakening intermolecular forces. This makes the polymer more flexible and easily bendable. It enhances the plasticity of plastics, making them easier to bend and deform.
Improving elongation and flexibility
The addition of plasticizers can increase the elongation of polymers, making them more elastic and flexible. This allows the plastic to better resist stretching and deformation when subjected to external forces.
Enhancing impact resistance
The use of plasticizers can improve the impact resistance of polymers, enabling the plastic to withstand external impacts and compressive forces, reducing the risk of fracture and damage caused by impacts.
Reducing hardness, viscosity, and glass transition temperature
The addition of plasticizers can lower the hardness and viscosity of polymers, making them easier to process and shape. Additionally, plasticizers can lower the glass transition temperature of polymers, allowing them to remain soft and deformable at lower temperatures.
Improving ingredient blending and processing performance
Plasticizers help improve the blendability of polymers with other ingredients, allowing for a more uniform mixture with pigments, fillers, and other additives. This contributes to better processing performance and production efficiency of plastics.
In summary, plasticizers modify the structure and properties of polymers, making plastics more flexible, malleable, and processable to meet the requirements of different application fields.
What are the harmful effects of plasticizers？
Plasticizers may present certain safety hazards, particularly in the following situations,
Volatile plasticizers
Some plasticizers have volatility, which means they can be released from the plastic and enter the surrounding environment or be inhaled by humans. Prolonged exposure to high concentrations of volatile plasticizers can have adverse effects on human health, such as respiratory irritation and allergic reactions.
Toxic plasticizers
Some plasticizers may have toxicity, posing potential risks to human health. Common plasticizers like phthalates, at high concentrations, can interfere with the endocrine system and have been associated with health issues such as reproductive abnormalities, cancer, and neurodevelopmental problems.
Migration
Plasticizers can sometimes migrate from plastic into food or liquids. This migration can contaminate the food or liquid and result in human exposure to the plasticizer. Certain plasticizers used in food contact materials are subject to regulatory restrictions to ensure their safety.
Cumulative effects
Prolonged exposure to plastic products containing plasticizers may result in the accumulation of plasticizers in the human body. While individual plastic products typically contain low levels of plasticizers, long-term use of various products containing plasticizers can lead to increased overall exposure.
To mitigate safety risks, many countries and regions have established strict regulations and standards to limit or prohibit the use of certain plasticizers and ensure the safety of plastic products. Consumers should choose products that comply with safety standards when using plastic items and minimize exposure to high concentrations of plasticizers, which is particularly important for children and pregnant women. Proper storage and disposal of plastic products are also important measures to reduce potential risks.
The regulations on the use of plasticizers
To address the potential risks associated with phthalate plasticizers, the United States and the European Union have implemented several policies since 1999 to regulate their usage. The EU introduced the ROHS and REACH regulations, which restrict the use of phthalates, such as DEHP, DBP, DIBP, and BBP, to a concentration limit of 0.1%. Recently, the European Chemicals Agency announced an expansion of phthalate restrictions beyond toys and childcare products to include other plastic consumer goods like flooring, mattresses, and footwear. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified DINP as a hazardous chemical and included six phthalates on its priority control pollutant list. In 2008, the United States explicitly banned the use of these six phthalates in plastic toys, setting a concentration limit of 0.1%.
What is the feature of phosphate plasticzers?
Excellent Flame Retardancy
All phosphates exhibit excellent flame retardancy, which is particularly evident when used alone. The flame retardancy improves with increasing phosphorus content and gradually transitions from self-extinguishing to difficult-to-ignite. The lower the alkyl group content in the molecule, the better the flame resistance. Introducing halogen atoms into phosphates further enhances their flame retardancy.
Good Durability
Phosphates have better durability and volatility compared to DOP.
Antimicrobial and Weather Resistance
Most phosphates possess antimicrobial and weather-resistance properties.
Poor Cold Resistance
Triaryl phosphates have poor cold resistance but lower volatility. Trialkyl phosphates have slightly better cold resistance but higher volatility.
Toxicity
Most phosphates are toxic, except diphenyl octyl phosphate (ODP), which is allowed to be used in food package
High Cost
In large-scale commercial applications, phosphates are often used in combination with other plasticizers, which can somewhat reduce the flame retardant performance. To compensate for this loss, they are frequently used in conjunction with chlorinated hydrocarbons. Phosphates have an antagonistic effect when combined with commonly used flame retardants such as antimony trioxide. Therefore, they should not be used together.
Common phosphate plasticizers
TiBP is widely used as a plastic additive and processing compound. It exhibits excellent plasticizing properties and can be used as a plasticizer for polymers such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). TIBP improves the flexibility, extensibility, and weather resistance of these polymers. Additionally, TIBP can also be employed as a soluble plasticizer and flame retardant in materials such as coatings, inks, and adhesives.
TBEP is used as an important plasticizer and leveling agent in the formulation of floor wax due to its excellent low-temperature characteristics. It can effectively lower the polymer’s glass transition temperature and film-forming temperature while improving its flowability.
TOP is commonly added to polymers such as polyethylene and polypropylene to enhance their plasticity, making them easier to process and shape. The use of this plastic additive can improve the performance of plastic products, making them more suitable for specific applications such as plastic packaging, pipes, insulation materials, and more.
Tri-cresyl phosphate
Tri-cresyl phosphate (TCP) has the following unique characteristics as a plasticizer:
Excellent high-temperature resistance
TCP exhibits outstanding resistance to high temperatures, maintaining stability without significant decomposition or volatilization. It is suitable for high-temperature processing and application environments.
Good electrical insulation properties
TCP possesses excellent electrical insulation performance, improving the electrical insulation properties of polymers. It is suitable for applications in electronic devices and electrical insulation materials.
Superior oil resistance
TCP demonstrates good resistance to oils, maintaining stability in oily environments without being affected by greases or lubricants.
Excellent mold resistance
TCP has remarkable mold resistance, effectively inhibiting the growth of microorganisms and extending the product’s lifespan.
Good electrical insulation performance
TCP enhances the electrical insulation properties of polymers, improving the product’s electrical resistance and insulation performance.
Good solubility
TCP has good solubility, allowing it to be compatible with various polymers, facilitating processing and blending.
These characteristics make TCP advantageous in specific application areas, such as high-temperature processing, electronic devices, oil-resistant products, and mold-resistant materials.
Cresyl diphenyl phosphate
Cresyl diphenyl phosphate (CDP) has the following unique characteristics as a plasticizer:
High durability and stability
CDP exhibits excellent durability and chemical stability, maintaining its plasticizing effect in polymers over an extended period without significant decomposition or volatilization.
Efficient plasticizing effect
CDP has a high plasticizing efficiency, allowing for lower dosages compared to other plasticizers to achieve the same level of plasticization.
Excellent low-temperature properties
CDP retains good flexibility and flowability at low temperatures, resisting brittleness or hardening, making it suitable for applications in low-temperature environments.
Good abrasion resistance
CDP enhances the abrasion resistance and durability of polymer products, making them more resistant to wear and long-lasting.
High solubility
CDP has good solubility, making it compatible with many polymers and facilitating processing and blending.
Excellent flame retardancy
CDP possesses excellent flame retardant properties, contributing to improved flame retardancy of plastic products, and enhancing their safety and reliability.
These characteristics make CDP advantageous in specific applications such as low-temperature applications, wear-resistant plastic products, and flame-retardant materials. However, it is important to consider specific requirements and application conditions when selecting a plasticizer.
Octyl diphenyl phosphate
Octyl diphenyl phosphate (ODP) has the following unique characteristics as a plasticizer:
High-temperature stability
ODP exhibits excellent stability at high temperatures, maintaining its plasticizing effect in polymer systems without significant decomposition or volatilization.
High shear stability
ODP remains stable under high shear conditions, making it suitable for processes involving high shear rates, such as extrusion and injection molding. It resists loss or precipitation during processing.
Low volatility
ODP has low volatility, minimizing evaporation or release from the polymer matrix, which helps maintain consistent plasticizing effects and performance over time.
Excellent electrical properties
ODP possesses good electrical insulation properties, enhancing the electrical performance and dielectric resistance of polymers. It is suitable for applications in electronic devices and insulation materials.
Non-toxic and environmentally friendly
ODP is a non-toxic plasticizer that meets environmental requirements. It has no negative impact on the environment during application and processing.
These unique characteristics make ODP advantageous in specific applications such as high-temperature processing, electronic devices, and environmentally friendly plastic products. However, it is important to consider specific requirements and application conditions when selecting a plasticizer.
Partnering up with a global leading material manufacturer that supplies diversified phosphate esters chemicals.