Poly(vinyl chloride) plasticized with succinate esters: synthesis and characterization

Phthalates pose adverse health effects due to their propensity to leach and the most common, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and di-n-octyl phthalate (DOP), are petroleum-based. Conversely, di-esters, succinates are biobased (produced from fermentation of biomass), biodegradable, and therefore potential sustainable replacements for phthalates. A series of succinates, di-octyl succinate (DOS), di-hexyl succinate (DHS), di-butyl succinate (DBS), and di-ethyl succinate (DES), were mixed with poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). The interaction of the plasticizer ester carbonyl with PVC shows an average −5 cm⁻¹ shift of the carbonyl absorbance peak energy. The glass transition temperatures (T _g), were monitored by differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical analyses. The T _gs of DOS and DHS plasticized PVC were significantly lower than DOP plasticized PVC at a lower percent mass. On the other hand, PVC plasticized with either DBS or DES exhibited a similar trend in lowering the T _g as that of DOP plasticized PVC.     

Compatibility of plasticizers with poly(vinyl chloride)

The tendency of a plasticizer to resist exudation from poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) under compressive stress, known technologically as “compatibility,” is treated in terms of a network model, the plasticized composition being thought of as a rubber crosslinked by crystallites. Compatibility is increased by increased solvency (Flory-Huggins χ) and decreased by increasing plasticizer molar volume. A large crosslink density and/or insufficient melting of crosslinks during processing (thermal history) also decreases compatibility. All commercial primary plasticizers are believed to be infinitely miscible with amorphous PVC. Phase separation which occurs is syneresis and not related to any phase diagram. Swelling tests for compatibility and swelling measurements on dilute PVC gels are described. Some general principles relating to gel formation and association in polymer solutions are also discussed.     

Low‐molecular‐weight glycerol esters as plasticizers for poly(vinyl chloride)

Phthalates are the most important plasticizers used in the polymer industry. However, their fossil origin and the results of recent tests showing their potential negative effect on human health have encouraged the polymer industry to turn toward non‐phthalate plasticizers. At the same time, the biodiesel industry produces a surplus of glycerol, thus leading the scientific community to seek new applications for this substance. This paper presents the performance of eight esters derived from glycerol as plasticizers for poly(vinyl chloride), including tests to evaluate their compatibility. Results show that glycerol esters obtained from propanoic, butanoic, isobutanoic, isopentanoic, and benzoic acids, while volatile, can be used as poly(vinyl chloride) plasticizers in certain applications. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 20:65–71, 2014. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Weathering of plasticized poly(vinyl chloride)

A series of flexible plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) compositions containing different organotin compounds and ultraviolet absorbers has been exposed for 4.5 years at four outdoor sites in Australia with widely differing climatic conditions. Loss of plasticizer by evaporation during the exposure was measured and an empirical correlation was found with the average daily maximum temperature at each site. The relative effectiveness of the organotin compounds and ultraviolet absorbers in preventing deterioration of the PVC was estimated by measuring the viscosity of the polymer after exposure. This method of assessment is compared with the results of mechanical tests on the specimens.     

Blends of poly(vinyl chloride) with plasticized polyaniline

A series of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/polyaniline (PANI) blends plasticized and protonated simulataneously by bis(2-ethylhexyl) hydrogen phosphate, bis(4-nitrophenyl) phosphate, diphenyl phosphate, or dibenzyl phosphate was prepared by a mass homogenization technique. Thermal analysis studies by means of thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed that PVC/PANI blends with bis(2-ethylhexyl) hydrogen phosphate were characterized by the highest thermal stability values. Kinetic analysis of the decomposition process by the isoconversional Friedman method showed that the activation energy did not change substantially over the broad conversion range; further advanced kinetic analysis by a nonlinear regression method revealed that the kinetic function that was the best approximation for the experimental data was based on a reaction of nth order.     

Soiling of plasticized poly(vinyl chloride)

The effects of three plasticizers and two plasticizer concentrations on the topography and soiling of poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) were studied. Palmitic acid and triolein were chosen to represent solid and liquid soils. The feasibility of using infrared spectroscopy to quantify the amount of soil on PVC was examined. The structure of the solid model soil on plasticized PVC was studied with optical microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Palmitic acid formed two different structures on the PVC surface. Both the type and concentration of the plasticizer influenced the structure of the oily soil on plasticized PVC. The wetting of plasticized PVC with the liquid oily soil was compared to wetting with water through the measurement of the contact angles. Plasticized PVC was hydrophobic and oleophilic. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

Glycerol‐plasticized spirulina–poly(vinyl alcohol) films with improved mechanical performance

Spirulina–poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)–glycerol (SPG) films with improved mechanical performance, especially tensile strength (TS) and the elongation at break (EAB), are fabricated by a casting method. The integrity, color, solubility, microstructure, thermal properties, tensile strength, and compatibility of the SPG films are assessed. SPG films became smooth, homogeneous, and flexible after plasticizing with glycerol. The presence of PVA and hydrogen bonding of PVA with glycerol and spirulina protein improves the water resistance of SPG films by decreasing water absorption of spirulina protein and decreasing water diffusion through the films. The amount of carbonaceous residues decreases from 31% to 14% because of the co‐pyrolysis of spirulina, PVA, and glycerol. TS increases from 2.5 to 26 Mpa and modulus from 53 to 610 Mpa with increasing PVA content. Glycerol enhances film flexibility and EAB up to 50%. Spirulina can be composited with hydrophilic polymers to fabricate compatible, processable and thermally recyclable films with desirable mechanical performance. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44842.     

Thermal stability and Kinetic Study of rigid and plasticized Poly(vinyl chloride)/Poly(methylmethacrylate) blends

The thermal stability and kinetic parameters for degradation of rigid and plasticized poly(vinyl chloride)/poly (methylmethacrylate) blends have been investigated by using nonisothermal thermogravimetry in a flowing atmosphere of air. For that purpose, blends of variable composition from 0 to 100 wt% were prepared in the presence (15, 30, and 50 wt%) and in the absence of di‐(‐2‐ethyl hexyl) phthalate as plasticizer. Measurements were carried out in the temperature range of 30–550°C and at various heating rates (5, 10, 20, and 40°C/min). The kinetic parameters (E_a and A) were determined by applying the integral Kissinger method. Results indicate that these parameters and the thermal stability of the blends are dependent on the blend composition and the amount of plasticizer present. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 21:102–110, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Chlorinated poly(vinyl chloride) and plasticized chlorinated poly(vinyl chloride)—thermal decomposition studies

The thermal decomposition of chlorinated poly(vinyl chloride) and three plasticized chlorinated poly(vinyl chloride) systems has been investigated. The routes of decomposition of these systems have been elucidated by investigating char formation and by using a combination of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and prolysis/gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy methods (Py/GC/MS). The effects of the charforming/smoke‐suppressing iron(III) compound FeOOH in these polymer systems has also been investigated. The structure of both CPVC polymer and plasticzer determine the path of thermal decomposition and also the quantity and nature of the decomposition compunds formed. Changes in oxygen index and the formation of smoke during burning in these systems have been related to the char that is formed and also to the chemical nature of the decomposition products.     

Smoke suppressants for plasticized poly(vinyl chloride)

Addition of plasticizers to poly(vinyl chloride) generally increases its flammability and frequently increases smoke production during its burning. Flame retardants added to plasticized PVC can reduce flammability, but increase smoke production. This study shows that proper choice of combined use of other polymers, phosphate plasticizers, fillers and other flame retardants, produces measured synergistic improvements in flame retardance and smoke suppression which could benefit applications such as PVC wire and cable insulation.     

A hysteresis in plasticized poly(vinyl chloride)

Plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) formulations were prepared in solid and foam form, and mechanical hysteresis was measured by low-speed tension and compression on an Instron tester and by high-speed rebound on a resiliometer. Hysteresis was greatest in copolymers with vinyl acetate, at low plasticizer concentration, with inefficient plasticizers, at high concentrations of reinforcing fillers, at high expansion to low density, and at high speed of testing. Conversely, resilience was greatest at high plasticizer concentration, with more efficient plasticizers, with non-reinforcing fillers, and at high density.     

Soil burial degradation of new bio‐based additives. Part II. plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) films

Commercial sunflower oil was epoxidized, and the epoxidized oil (ESO) was used as a new thermal stabilizer for poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). Plasticized formulations stabilized with ESO and epoxidized soya bean oil as a commercial stabilizer were evaluated for comparison. Two plasticizers were used, dioctyl phthalate and diisononyl adipate. The aging of the PVC samples was investigated in landfill soil for 24 months. The modifications of the structure of the polymer were followed by Fourier, transform infrared spectroscopy. Furthermore, the variations of density and mechanical properties (tensile and Shore D hardness) were considered, and the variations of the mass of the samples, the glass transition temperature (T_g), the molar mass distribution, and the weight loss were followed as a function of duration of soil burial. The morphological changes were tracked by scanning electron microscopy. Results showed that the nature of the plasticizer and heat stabilizer affects the properties of PVC as well as the phenomena of migration and biodegradation. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 19:183‐191, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

聚羟基烷酸酯改性聚氯乙烯的研究

通过熔融共混的方法分别制备了聚氯乙烯/邻苯二甲酸二辛酯/聚羟基烷酸酯（PVC/DOP/PHA）和PVC/PHA共混物。研究了PHA逐步代替DOP对共混物力学性能和熔体流动性能的影响规律,利用扫描电子显微镜对所制备的试样进行微观结构分析。结果表明,随着共混体系中PHA用量的增加和DOP的等量减少,与PVC/DOP共混物相比,PVC/DOP/PHA共混物的拉伸强度由21 MPa提高至42 MPa,断裂伸长率先增加而后降低,在PHA含量为10.7 %(质量分数,下同)时出现极大值(350 %);在PVC/PHA体系中,PHA含量增加,PVC/PHA共混物的力学性能及熔体流动速率都显著提高,说明PHA可以作为PVC的一种有效的绿色增塑剂和增韧剂。     

An investigation of factors relating to the exudation of polyester plasticizers from poly(vinyl chloride)

Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) was plasticized with a given polyester. The resulting exudate under humid conditions was qualitatively analyzed by GPC and GLC. The exudate was found to have a greater concentration of low molecular weight species than the origional polyester. Further, a much higher hydroxyl group concentration was present. The described polyester was also fractionated and characterization studies were performed. The relative migratory aptitude in PVC of these moieties was studied under humied conditions. The fraction with the greatest concentration of low molecular weight species and the highest hydroxyl concentration was exuded first.     

Poly (vinyl chloride) processing morphology

This paper describes how morphology of PVC changes in the Brabender mixing head. At the range of temperatures used for PVC processing, the Brabender torque-time curve shows minimum torque and maximum torque. The minimum torque is associated with a breakdown of 150 μm PVC grains and 10 μm agglomerates resulting in the release of the 1μm primary particles. The torque increases from minimal interaction between primary particles to the point where primary particles agglomerate at maximum torque so that fibriles can be formed when PVC samples are swollen in acetone and sheard. Further heating reduces the viscosity resulting in lower torque even though residual primary particles still exist with much particle to particle interaction. Primary particle structure disappears at about 215° C with complete melting.     

Poly(vinyl chloride)‐b‐poly(hydroxypropyl acrylate)‐b‐Poly(vinyl chloride): Understanding the synthesis of an amphiphilic PVC block copolymer on a pilot scale

The aim of this work was to develop an understanding of the major difficulties associated with the scale‐up of the technology for the synthesis of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) block copolymers that contain hydrophilic segments, thus providing important directions to be followed in order to produce such new materials on the industrial scale. The synthesis was carried out in a two‐step process. First, the macroinitiator α,ω‐di(iodo)poly(hydroxypropyl acrylate) was synthesized in an aqueous medium by (single electron transfer)/(degenerative chain transfer) living radical polymerization (SET‐DTRP) catalyzed by Na₂S₂O₄. The block copolymer was then prepared by SET‐DTRP of vinyl chloride (VC) from the iodine‐terminal active chain ends of the macroinitiator, thereby leading to the formation of the block copolymer poly(vinyl chloride)‐b‐poly(hydroxypropyl acrylate)‐b‐poly(vinyl chloride). This report covers important aspects related to the characterization of the block copolymer produced and to the identification of the major limitations that must be overcome in order to produce this new material on the industrial scale. The results clearly show the differences between the theoretical predictions and the block copolymer compositions obtained by using a suspension polymerization method, which is the most‐used polymerization process in the PVC industry. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 19:94–104, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

聚氯乙烯环保型增塑剂的研究进展

综述了聚氯乙烯环保型增塑剂的研究及应用状况,介绍了目前研究较多、应用广泛而且价格较低廉的环氧植物油、柠檬酸三丁酯和乙酰柠檬酸三丁酯.对比传统催化剂,阐述了其合成方法的进展,突出了新型高效催化剂的应用.指出环保型增塑剂是聚氯乙烯增塑剂的发展方向,符合可持续发展道路.     

马来酸酐接枝改性氯化聚氯乙烯的制备及其在PVC中的应用

采用固相法制备马来酸酐接枝氯化聚氯乙烯(CPVC-g-MAH),得到了接枝率达2.91 %的CPVC-g-MAH,并对其进行了性能测试,探讨了聚氯乙烯(PVC)/CPVC-g-MAH共混物的冲击性能和加工性能,与PVC/氯化聚氯乙烯(CPVC)共混物进行对比以观察改性效果。结果表明,CPVC-g-MAH的热性能较CPVC有较大提高;PVC/CPVC-g-MAH共混物的冲击性能比PVC/CPVC共混物有所提高,而平衡转矩有所降低,说明CPVC-g-MAH相比于CPVC对PVC共混物加工性能改善效果更加明显。     

Nonlinear viscoelastic behavior of plasticized poly(vinyl chloride)

This paper shows how an empirical nonlinear creep relation suggested by Leaderman might be justified on the basis of an approximate nonlinear viscoelastic constitutive equation. In addition, experimental evidence is presented which tends to support the proposed theory.