Morphological,thermal, and mechanical properties of poly(vinyl chloride)/acrylonitrile butadiene rubber blend using CuSO4·5H2O as cross‐linking agent

Novel rigid poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/cross‐linked acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) blend using copper (II) sulfate pentahydrate (CuSO₄·5H₂O) as cross‐linking agent was prepared by melt mixing. Fourier transform infrared analysis showed that the coordination cross‐linking occurred between NBR and CuSO₄·5H₂O in the PVC matrix, in which a novel morphology was first observed by scanning electron microscopy analysis. The thermal stability and degradation behavior of the PVC/NBR/CuSO₄·5H₂O blend were examined by means of dynamic mechanical thermal analysis and thermogravimetric analysis. It was found that the glass‐transition temperature (T_g) of the PVC/NBR/CuSO₄·5H₂O blend was enhanced by adding the coordination cross‐linked NBR into the PVC matrix. In spite of the onset decomposition temperature and the first rapidest decomposition temperature of the resultant blends reduced in comparison to neat PVC, the second rapidest decomposition temperature and the residues of the resultant blends were significantly enhanced. In addition, the thermal degradation kinetics and mechanical properties of the resultant blends were also investigated. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:1864–1870, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Evaluation effects of biobased plasticizer on the thermal,mechanical, dynamical mechanical properties,and permanence of plasticized PVC

Sunflower oil (SO) is a renewable resource that can be epoxidized, and the epoxidized SO has potential uses as an environmentally friendly in polymeric formulations, especially for poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC). Epoxidized sunflower oil (ESO) was prepared by treating the oil with peracetic acid generated in situ by reacting glacial acetic acid with hydrogen peroxide. Epoxidation was confirmed using spectroscopic and titration methods. ESO was used as a coplasticizer in PVC for the partial replacement of di‐(2‐ethyl hexyl) phthalate (DEHP). The effect of ESO on the thermal stability of plasticized PVC was evaluated by using synmero scale for the sheets. In presence of ESO plasticized PVC samples showed a reduction in discoloration and the number of conjugated double bonds. By using thermogravimetry, the incorporation of 15/45 of ESO/DEHP in PVC presents the lowest weight loss. The results of the shore hardness and mechanical properties showed that a proportion of DEHP could be substituted by ESO. By use of DMA, the formulation which contains 25 % wt of ESO in plasticizer system shifts the glass transition temperature (T_g) to ambient temperature. The migration phenomenon was studied on PVC based samples plasticized with DEHP and ESO in varying amounts. The migration was monitored by the weight loss percentage of the samples immersed into n‐hexane or heated in an oven. The amount of extracted or volatilized DEHP is proportional to the added ratio of ESO in plasticizer system. All of this favored the partial replacement of DEHP by ESO as biobased plasticizer for flexible PVC. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Effects of poly(1,2‐propylene glycol adipate) and nano‐CaCO3 on DOP migration and mechanical properties of flexible PVC

Nano‐CaCO₃ was used as nano‐scale filler and poly(1,2‐propylene glycol adipate) (PPA) was used as polymeric plasticizer in flexible poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) sheets for the partial replacement of di(2‐ethyl hexyl) phthalate (DOP) in this paper. The effect of PPA and nano‐CaCO₃ on restraining DOP migration was evaluated via extraction tests. The results showed that the introduction of nano‐CaCO₃ can decrease the extraction rate of DOP in the PVC matrix. The tensile strength and elongation at break of CaCO₃‐1/PPA‐20/DOP‐30/PVC were similar to those of DOP‐50/PVC, and CaCO₃‐1/PPA‐20/DOP‐30/PVC exhibited the superior suppression of DOP migration compared with DOP‐50/PVC. Thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) indicated that the addition of nano‐CaCO₃ effectively improved the thermal stability of the nanocomposites. Therefore, the combination of PPA and nano‐CaCO₃ is an effective approach to suppress the migration of DOP. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Bio‐based polymeric resin from agricultural waste,neem (Azadirachta indica) seed cake,for green composites

Protein‐based polymeric resin has been developed from nonconventional and nonedible “neem seed cake (NSC)” that has very limited low‐value applications. Neem protein (NP), after extraction from defatted NSC, was used to prepare resin with two common plasticizers (glycerol and sorbitol). Properties of the NP resin sheets were evaluated as a function of plasticizer content. Increase of plasticizer content in NP sheets from 15 to 30% (w/w) enhanced fracture strain with a reduction in tensile strength, modulus, and thermal properties. Sorbitol‐plasticized NP sheets showed better mechanical and thermal properties in comparison to glycerol‐plasticized sheets. Effect of cross‐linking with glyoxal on the mechanical and thermal properties of sorbitol‐plasticized NP sheets was also investigated. Properties improved significantly at 10% (w/w) glyoxal content. Overall, with the enhanced properties of NP sheets, NP can be a viable alternative for edible protein‐based resin for making green composites. NP resin can also be used to replace some synthetic resins. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 10.1002/app.41291.     

Preparation and chemical reactions of rigid cross‐linked poly(vinyl chloride) foams modified by epoxy compounds

A novel method to prepare semi‐interpenetrating polymer network rigid cross‐linked poly(vinyl chloride) (c‐PVC) foams with improved shear toughness in the absence of anhydride components is reported. The cross‐linked network structure in the c‐PVC foams was composed of polyurea network modified by epoxy structure. The cellular morphology was characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Tensile, compressive, and shear properties of the foams were studied. The obtained c‐PVC foams showed high shear properties compared with the comparative samples with the same density and cellular morphology. Possible reactions during the preparation of c‐PVC foams were studied by means of Fourier transform infrared spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance measurements through the model experiments. The results showed that allophanate structure resulting from the reaction between isocyanate compounds and epoxy compounds formed in the molding step, which was included into the final cross‐linked network in the cross‐linking step. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40567.     

Novel branched poly(ɛ‐caprolactone) as a nonmigrating plasticizer in flexible PVC: Synthesis and characterization

A series of hyperbranched poly(?‐caprolactone) (HPCLs, denoted as D_X) with different molecular weights were synthesized by the copolymerization of GPCL (PCL initiated by glycidol) and succinic anhydride. The chemical structure of D_X was characterized by ¹H‐NMR gel permeation chromatography and inherent viscosity, and D_X was used as the plasticizer for poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) compared to traditional plasticizer di‐(ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). The thermal properties, morphology, mechanical properties, and migration stabilities of PVC films were explored with differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscope, tensile, and migration tests. PVC/D₁ exhibited the best plasticization efficiency up to 107%, with enhanced tensile strength (18.5 MPa) and ultimate elongation (416%) compared to PVC/DEHP (11.5 MPa and 375%, respectively). PVC/D₁ exhibited remarkably high plasticization efficiency as compared to PVC/DEHP at a plasticizer concentration of PVC below 40 wt %. Moreover, the migration test for PVC/D_X films exhibited minimal plasticizers migration even at very harsh conditions. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46542.     

Alloying of poly(vinyl chloride) to reduce plasticizer migration

Concern over the migration of low molecular weight plasticizer from flexible poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) used in toys and medical products has spearheaded the commercialization of a number of plasticizing polymers. In this study the plasticizing behavior of an ethylene/vinyl acetate/carbon monoxide terpolymer (Elvaloy® from DuPont) was investigated. Blends of PVC, Elvaloy 742, and dioctyl phthalate (DOP) were processed on a twin‐roll mill and compression molded into plaques. These materials were characterized in terms of their hardness, glass‐transition temperature (T_g), clarity, mechanical properties, and plasticizer migration behavior. The ratios of PVC/DOP/Elvaloy investigated were determined by experimental design. Using this approach it was possible to model the results and produce contour plots to map out the properties of a wide range of formulations. It was confirmed that Elvaloy 742 is compatible with PVC and has a plasticizing effect: this was demonstrated both in terms of a reduction in Shore A hardness and a reduction in T_g. Plasticizer migration was reduced in proportion to the amount of liquid plasticizer replaced. Plasticizing with Elvaloy gave an improvement in tear strength. However, at constant hardness there was no improvement in tensile strength from replacing DOP with Elvaloy. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 2022–2031, 2004     

Enhanced properties of polyvinyl chloride modified by graphene reinforced thermoplastic polyurethane

Graphene sheets with a range of unusual properties and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU ) were combined to modify polyvinyl chloride (PVC ), and the enhanced properties such as flexibility, thermal stability and mechanical properties of the PVC were investigated. In order to avoid the C ? Cl bonds in PVC being weakened, graphene was incorporated into TPU in the melting state first and then this TPU was employed as a modifier to enhance and plasticize PVC in another melt blending step. In comparison with the ternary blending method, this step‐by‐step melt blending method was more efficient and convenient. The distribution of graphene sheets in the polymer matrix is uniform and no C ? Cl bond weakened effect can be observed. Due to the similar polarity, TPU showed good compatibility with PVC and its plasticizing effect allowed a broader range of low temperature flexibility of the modified PVC matrix. Moreover, other properties of the resultant PVC matrix (PTG ‐x ) including mechanical properties, thermal stability and plasticizer migration resistance were all found to be improved. With innovative applications in mind, the development of new graphene‐based materials will certainly lead to many future advances in science and technology. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry     

Epoxidized dimeric acid methyl ester derived from rubber seed oil and its application as secondary plasticizer

A novel plasticizer epoxidized dimeric acid methyl ester (EDAMe) based on rubber seed oil was synthesized. Chemical structure of EDAMe was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Effects of EDAMe as secondary plasticizer and its substitution of commercial plasticizer dioctyl terephthalate (DOTP) in soft poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) films were studied. The thermal properties, mechanical properties and migration stabilities of PVC films were explored with DMA, TG, TG–FTIR, dynamic thermal stability analysis, tensile and migration tests. The results indicated that the epoxidized rubber seed oil based ester has significantly higher thermal stability than DOTP. When DOTP was substituted with 20% (m/m) EDAMe, the results of initial decomposition temperature (T_i), 10% and 50% mass loss temperatures (T₁₀ and T₅₀), and the first maximum weight‐loss temperature rate (T_P1) reached 267.2 °C, 263.5 °C, 307.3 °C and 298.9 °C, respectively. Furthermore, flexibility of the obtained PVC films enhanced significantly with the adding of EDAMe. The migration stabilities of EDAMe was also investigated and showed good migration resistance. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43668.     

Surface treatment of plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) to prevent plasticizer migration

In this investigation, plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) was treated with poly(azido acrylate)s to prevent plasticizer migration. This was achieved by modification of PVC sheets with poly(azido acrylate)s in a dichloromethane solution followed by irradiation under UV light. The surface‐modified PVC sheets with poly (azido acrylate)s were characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy analyses. The migration of the plasticizer was prevented to a large extent from modified PVC in comparison with unmodified PVC. The amount of plasticizer migration with respect to the irradiation time, incubation time, and number of dipping times was evaluated. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Ester‐amide based on ricinoleic acid as a novel primary plasticizer for poly(vinyl chloride)

Utilization of ricinoleic acid as a raw material for the synthesis of green plasticizer would offer an alternative to the phthalate plasticizers. Ester‐amide of ricinoleic acid was synthesized by a two‐step reaction with dibutyl amine and benzoic acid; and then utilized as primary plasticizer in PVC. Ester‐amide plasticizer was added up to 40 phr in PVC; and the prepared PVC sheets were characterized for mechanical, X‐ray diffraction, thermal, rheological, colorimetric, and exudation properties. Addition of the ester‐amide plasticizer demonstrated good incorporation and plasticizing performance in PVC. Viscosity of PVC decreased with increased addition of ester‐amide plasticizer. The dark color of the synthesized plasticizer could have constraints on its application areas; however, the prepared samples illustrated negligible weight loss in the exudation test, attributed to better compatibility between them brought about by the ester, tertiary amide and polarizable benzene ring in the ester‐amide plasticizer with the C‐Cl polar linkage in PVC. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41913.     

Comparison of the effects of linking diglycidyl ether‐terminated PDMS and BPA onto polyurethane with respect to the tensile and thermal properties

Flexible poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) or rigid bisphenol A (BPA) with diglycidyl ether end groups was linked to polyurethane (PU), which was composed of 4,4′‐methylenebis(phenyl isocyanate) as a hard segment and poly(tetramethylene ether)glycol as a soft segment. A control PDMS (CPDMS) series was prepared with an additional deprotonation step by NaH. The spectroscopic, thermal, tensile, shape memory, and low‐temperature flexibility properties were compared with those of plain PU to investigate the effects of linking the flexible PDMS or the rigid BPA on PU. The soft segment melting peaks were not affected by the PDMS content for the PDMS series but disappeared as the BPA content increased in the BPA series. The soft segment crystallization of PU was completely disrupted as the linked BPA content increased in the differential scanning calorimetry results and disappeared in the dynamic mechanical analysis results. The glass transition temperature (T_g) of the BPA series increased with increasing BPA content, whereas that of the PDMS series remained the same. The tensile strength of the PDMS series sharply increased with increasing PDMS content. The shape retention of the BPA series at ?25 °C sharply decreased as the BPA content increased. Finally, the BPA series linked with rigid aromatic BPA demonstrated excellent low‐temperature flexibilities compared with the PDMS series and plain PU. Compared with PUs linked with PDMS, PUs linked with rigid BPA demonstrated a significant change in the cross‐link density, thermal properties, shape retention, and low‐temperature flexibility. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43284.     

Rosin‐derived poly(vinyl chloride) plasticizer: Synthesis,structure, and properties

In this work, rosin‐based plasticizer was synthesized by Diels–Alder (DA) and esterification. First, the maleopimaric acid (RT) was obtained by DA between the double bond of rosin and maleic anhydride. Then, the carboxyl group and anhydride group of RT was esterified with tetrahydro geraniol to obtain the rosin‐based polyacid esters (RTT) under the catalysis of p‐toluene sulfonic acid. The structure of RT and RTT was detected by FTIR and ¹H‐NMR. RTT was used as main plasticizer to obtain plasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC) materials and compared with DOP. The results showed that RTT improved the thermal stability and reduced T_g of PVC film. Plasticized PVC films had excellent mechanical properties with the elastic modulus of ?4,793.67 MPa and tensile strength of ?111.86 MPa, higher than that of pure PVC and DOP‐6. RTT showed better volatility stability, migration, and solvent extraction in PVC compared to DOP. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 26:180–186, 2020. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Plasticizer migration from plasticized into unplasticized poly(vinyl chloride)

There exist important industrial applications, such as hoses or plastic windows, dealing with closely combining plasticized and rigid poly(vinyl chloride). Nevertheless, migration of plasticizer causes severe variation of the mechanical performance of the end-products. This work comprises an effort to investigate and understand these phenomena, also as an extension of previous work of ours in migration to liquid environments. The common system plasticized PVC/dioctylphthalate/unplasticized PVC was studied under two-sided diffusion conditions, i.e., from a thin sheet of plasticized sheet. The whole assembly was placed between two glass plates and then was held in an oven at 64°C to simulate accelerated test conditions. Some pressure was also applied to ensure perfect contact between the plastic sheets. Three different levels of initial plasticizer concentration (48, 66, and 100 phr) have been considered for a period of about five months, until equilibrium was reached. During this period the migration process was monitored by weight changes. Plots of M_t/M_∞ vs. t^½, where M_∞ the amount migrated at equilibrium and M_t the amount lost at time t, resulted in evident linear relationship. Therefore, it was proved that the Fick's law approximation for short times can be used to describe the migration kinetics for this solid/solid system. On the other hand, macroscopic observations revealed that no plasticizer was accumulated at the interface, i.e. all plasticizer leaving the plasticized sheet entered the rigid ones. Finally, it seems that the controlling stage is the diffusion inside plasticized PVC while possible annealing of the plasticized polymer structure cannot be excluded.     

Palm oil‐based compound as environmentally friendly plasticizer for poly(vinyl chloride)

Many plasticizers have been invented to serve the purpose of making poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) into a more flexible plastic. In this work, the potential of palm oil‐based compound (Palm1) as a polymeric plasticizer for PVC was investigated. Plasticization of PVC was conducted via the solvent casting technique, using tetrahydrofuran (THF) as the mutual solvent. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to find evidence of interactions between the plasticizer and PVC. Transition temperatures (T_gs) of the plasticized PVC were obtained using DSC, and their thermal stabilities were evaluated using a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). Results from the study show that the polymeric plasticizer could interact with PVC chains via polar interaction involving –C‐Cl of PVC and possibly the ‐OH groups of Palm1. T_g of the PVC was reduced after it was plasticized with Palm1. The results obtained from this study suggest that the Palm1 may have the potential to serve as an environmentally friendly plasticizer for PVC. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 22:80–87, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effect of cross‐linking time on the thermal and mechanical properties and pervaporation performance of poly(vinyl alcohol) membrane cross‐linked with fumaric acid used for dehydration of isopropanol

Cross‐linked poly (vinyl alcohol) membranes were prepared using fumaric acid as the cross‐linking agent and were used for the pervaporation separation of water/isopropanol mixtures. Cross‐linking process was carried out at 150°C at three different times of 10, 30, and 60 min. The membranes were characterized by different known methods of FT‐IR, TGA, XRD as well as tensile test. The effects of cross‐linking time on the thermal and mechanical properties of the membranes and also their pervaporation performance were investigated. Formation of more ester groups by increasing the cross‐linking time was confirmed by the FT‐IR results. TGA analyses showed that thermal stability of the membranes is improved by prolonging the duration of cross‐linking process. This was due to the formation of more compact structure in the membranes. The XRD results revealed that the crystalline regions of the membranes were relatively diminished with an increase in the cross‐linking time. No specific trend was observed for the variation of tensile strength at break with the cross‐linking time. The PVA membrane cross‐linked for 60 min showed high selectivity of 1492 for water permeation for the feed mixture containing 10 wt % water. The temperature dependency of the permeation flux was investigated using Arrhenius relationship, and the activation energy values were calculated for total permeation (E_p), water (E_pw), and IPA (E_pIPA) fluxes. Lower value of E_pw in comparison with E_pIPA supported excellent dehydration performance of the cross‐linked membranes. Despite large increase in activation energy of water with prolonged cross‐linking time, the selectivity was improved. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2013     

Epoxidation of modified natural plasticizer obtained from rice fatty acids and application on polyvinylchloride films

In recent years, much research effort has been driven to develop alternative plasticizers for medical and commodity plastic materials. In this study, a modified natural plasticizer, synthesized by esterification of rice fatty acids, was modified by epoxidation with peroxy acid generated in situ. Two natural epoxidized plasticizers were obtained, using peracetic acid (NP‐Ac) and peroctanoic acid (NP‐Oc) as reagent. PVC films after addition of these natural epoxidized plasticizers presented fairly good incorporation and plasticizing performance, as demonstrated by results of mechanical properties, T_g values (as shown by DSC), optical microscopy, exudation, and migration tests, FTIR and X‐ray diffraction obtained for plasticized PVC films. NP‐Ac plasticizer presented enhanced plasticizing performance compared with NP‐Oc, probably due to a higher epoxidation degree obtained in the reaction with peracetic acid. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Epoxidized esters of succinic acid,oleic acid and propylene glycol as an effective bioplasticizer for PVC: A study of processing conditions on the physico-chemical properties

The present study evaluated the use of epoxidized esters of succinic acid, oleic acid, and propylene glycol as a bioplasticizer for poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and compared the results with the commercial phthalate plasticizer di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate. The chemical properties, structure, and biodegradation of the obtained bioplasticizer were analyzed. In order to analyze the influence of different PVC processing conditions on the properties of the obtained samples, the gelation process was carried out at 170, 180, 190, and 200°C at a time of 1.5–10.0 min. Mechanical properties, thermal characteristics, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis, plasticizer migration, and color change were determined for the resulting plasticized PVC samples. The performed studies allowed to confirm the obtaining of a biodegradable bioplasticizer (after 28 days, the decomposition rate in respirometry test was 72.7%). The optimal conditions for PVC processing were determined. For them the properties of the obtained material were superior. Processing PVC at 170°C for 7.5 min proved to be the most optimal conditions for the bioplasticizer synthesized in this study. Under these conditions, tensile strength of about 23 MPa and elongation at break of 200% were obtained, while plasticizer migration was very low (4.4% after 7 days and 6.8% after 28 days).     

Sustainable synthesis of bio‐based hyperbranched ester and its application for preparing soft polyvinyl chloride materials

In this study, bio‐based hyperbranched ester was synthesized from castor oil. The chemical structure of the bio‐based hyperbranched ester obtained was characterized with Fourier transform infrared and ¹H NMR spectra. Soft polyvinyl chloride (PVC) materials were prepared via thermoplastic blending at 160 °C using bio‐based hyperbranched ester as plasticizer. The performances including the thermal stability, glass transition temperature (T_g), crystallinity, tensile properties, solvent extraction resistance and volatility resistance of soft PVC materials incorporating bio‐based hyperbranched ester were investigated and compared with the traditional plasticizer dioctyl phthalate (DOP). The results showed that bio‐based hyperbranched ester enhanced the thermal stability of the PVC materials. The T_g of PVC incorporating bio‐based hyperbranched ester was 23 °C, lower than that of PVC/DOP materials at 28 °C. Bio‐based hyperbranched ester showed a better plasticizing effect, solvent extraction resistance and volatility resistance than DOP. The plasticizing mechanism is also discussed. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry     

Plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) composites: Influence of different nanofillers as antimigration agents

In this study, plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) composites with different nanofillers, including single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), organoclay, TiO₂, and ZnO nanoparticles, were prepared, and their effects on plasticizer migration were investigated. Scanning electron micrographs revealed the dispersion quality of the nanofillers in the polymer matrix. It had a significant influence on the performance of the nanofillers in the process of plasticizer migration. Migration and exudation tests showed that the nanofillers could efficiently hinder plasticizer migration. On the basis of these results, we concluded that carbon nanotubes were the best antimigration agent in the plasticized system. This was ascribed to the high aspect ratio of the SWCNTs and the good interactions between them and the plasticizer. Also, TiO₂ nanoparticles showed a better performance compared to the ZnO nanoparticles. This was due to the more homogeneous dispersion of the TiO₂ in the polymer matrix and the higher surface area of the particles. The differential scanning calorimetry thermograms were in good agreement with the migration tests. The lowest change in the glass‐transition temperature was observed for the composite filled with SWCNTs. This indicated that a lower amount of the plasticizer migrated from PVC. The thermogravimetric analysis curves showed that the incorporation of the nanofillers improved the thermal stability of the PVC. The results could be useful for determining the efficiency of plasticized PVC in applications. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42559.