Plasticizer

Name:
Plasticizer
Detailed information:
An organic compound added to a high polymer both to facilitate processing and to increase the flexibility and toughness of the final product by internal modification (solvation) of the polymer molecule. The latter is held together by secondary valence bonds; the plasticizer replaces some of these with plasticizer-to-polymer bonds, thus aiding movement of the polymer chain segments. Plasticizers are classed as primary (high compatibility) and secondary (limited compatibility). Polyvinyl chloride and cellulose esters are the largest consumers of plasticizers; they are also used in rubber processing. Among the more important plasticizers are nonvolatile organic liquids and low-melting solids (e.g., phthalate, adipate, and sebacate esters), polyols such as ethylene glycol and its derivatives, tricresyl phosphate, castor oil, etc. Camphor was used in the original modification of nitrocellulose to “Celluloid.”See Plastisol; Softener.