Polyvinyl chloride hydrocarbon ester plasticizers

Plasticizers are most commonly liquid esters of low volatUity, which are blended into rigid thermoplastic polymers to make them soft and flexible. Most are esters of phthatic, phosphoric, and adipic acids. Major use is in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) elastoplastics. Another major use, rarely mentioned in the literature, is the addition of hydrocarbon oils to rubber to improve processability. Plasticizers are also used to improve melt processabUity and toughness of rigid plastics such as cellulose esters and ethers, and they are used in a variety of specialized apphcations. In some cases, they perform dual functions such as thermal stabilization or flame retardance. This gives the individual processor the ability to tailor properties for each produet. 

Vinyl resins (1934) n. According to common chemical nomenclature, all resins and polymers made from monomers containing the vinyl group, H2C=CHX. In the chemical literature, polystyrene, polyolefins, polymethyl methacrylate and many other styrenic, ethenic, and acrylic co-polymers are classified as vinyls. In the plastics literature, the above materials are given their own classifications and the term vinyl is restricted to compounds in which X, above, is not H, a hydrocarbon radical, nor an acrylic-type ester. In daily use, the term vinyl plastics refers primarily to polyvinyl chloride and its co-polymers, and secondarily to the following polyvinyl acetal, polyvinyl acetate, poly-vinyl alcohol, polyvinyl but-yral, poly(n-vinylcar-bazole), polyvinyl dichloride, polyvinyl formal, polyvinylidene chloride, polyisobutylvinyl ether, and poly (1-vinylpyrrolidone). Mishra MKM, Yagd Y (1998) Handbook of vinyl polymerization. Marcel Dekker, New York. 

Most plasticizers are used with polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Some go into such plastics as cellulosics, nylon, polyolefins, and styrenics. Plasticizers are typically di- and tri-esters of aromatic or aliphatic acids and anhydrides. Epoxidized oil, phosphate esters, hydrocarbon oils, and some other materials also function as plasticizers. In some cases, it is difficult to discern whether a particular polymer additive functions as a plasticizer, lubricant, or flame retardant. The most popular plasticizers are the phthalates, followed by the epoxies, adipates, azelates, trimeflitates, phosphates, polyesters, and others. There are a number of discrete chemical compounds within each of these categories. As a result, the total number of plasticizers available is substantial. 

Polymer solutions (i.e., polymers dissolved in low molecular weight solvents) are widely used in industrial compoimds of varying complexity. Synthetic hydrocarbon elastomers are often marketed as oil-extended rubber , which are solutions of the basic elastomer with hydrocarbon mineral oils. Polyvinyl chloride is often marketed in a plasticized form, which are solutions involving low molecular weight esters. Many additives dissolve in polymers forming polymer solutions. In this chapter, we consider the fundamental thermodynamics and rheology of polymer solutions as well as important applications. 

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