Evaluating effects of biobased 2,5‐furandicarboxylate esters as plasticizers on the thermal and mechanical properties of poly (vinyl chloride)

We synthesized 2,5‐furandicarboxylate esters [i.e., dibutylfuran‐2,5‐dicarboxylate, diisoamylfuran‐2,5‐dicarboxylate, and di(2‐ethylhexyl)furan‐2,5‐dicarboxylate] and investigated their potential application as plasticizers of commercial poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) products. Fourier transform infrared analysis, mechanical tests, scanning electron microscopy investigation, differential scanning calorimetry analysis, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), melt flow rate (MFR) measurement, and plasticizer migration measurements were used to the evaluate the comprehensive properties of the blended products. The results of the tensile tests demonstrate that the blends exhibited antiplasticization and flexible plastic characteristics at 10 and 50 phr in PVC, respectively. Moreover, flexural and impact test data indicate that the three types of blends exhibited a similar tendency: the hardness decreased continuously as the amount of plasticizer increased. Their morphology indicated that all of the plasticizers had good compatibility with PVC. The resulting glass‐transition temperature of the investigated plasticizers was lower than that of pure PVC, and reduction was largest for the plasticizer with the highest molecular weight. TGA revealed that the thermal degradation of blended polymers occurred in three stages and that all of the blends were stable up to 180°C. Finally, the MFRs of all of the specimens indicated that the addition of a higher concentration of lower molecular weight biobased esters resulted in improved fluidity, but these compounds migrated more easily from the blends. Hence, 2,5‐furandicarboxylic acid derived from biomass has potential as a plasticizer. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40938.     

Synthesis and application of an environmental epoxy plasticizer with phthalate-like structure based on tung oil and cardanol for poly(vinyl chloride)

An epoxidized cardanol tungoleate (ECT) based on tung oil and cardanol was synthesized through esterification and epoxidation. The chemical structure of the compound was verified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR). The plasticizing effects of ECT as the main plasticizer in poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) was studied and compared with the commercial plasticizer dioctyl phthalate (DOP). The thermal migration stabilities, the thermal degradation process and the mechanical properties of PVC samples and the plasticization mechanism of ECT for PVC were investigated through the use of volatility, extraction, discoloration, and tensile tests as well as thermal gravity analysis (TGA), TGA–FTIR analysis, electronic universal testing machine and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Compared with DOP, the ECT plasticized PVC can exhibits better thermal stability, more excellent tensile strength (17.28 MPa) and higher stretchability (629.41%), which is 1161% higher than DOP (1.37 MPa) plasticized PVC film. In addition, the migration resistance and volatility stability of ECT are much better than DOP. Therefore, this fully bio-based plasticizer based on tung oil and cardanol is a promising alternative plasticizer for PVC and may be an excellent phthalate substitute from the perspective of human health and sustainable development.     

Diester based on castor oil fatty acid as plasticizer for poly(vinyl chloride)

Castor oil is a renewable resource that has potential uses as an environmental friendly material for a range of applications. In recent years, much efforts have been driven to develop alternate plasticizer for medical and commodity plastics due to growing concerns about dioctyl phthalate (DOP) for flexible poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). In this study, a bio‐based plasticizer was synthesized by a two‐step esterification reaction of castor oil fatty acid (COFA) with benzyl alcohol and octanoic acid in the presence of catalyst (dibutyl tin dilaurate). The structure of the octanoic ester (OE) was confirmed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, acid value, and hydroxyl value. OE was used as a coplasticizer in PVC for partial replacement of DOP. The addition of OE exhibited good incorporation and plasticizing performance in the PVC sheets. Incorporation of OE resulted in good plasticizing, tensile strength, percentage elongation, exudation, thermal stability, and chemical resistance because of the presence of long carbon chains of COFA. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis, and color measurements were also performed to evaluate the effect of OE. With the increase in OE, DSC and hardness results showed marginal deviation from those obtained for DOP‐plasticized sheets. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40354.     

Synthesis and application of a novel thermostable epoxy plasticizer based on levulinic acid for poly(vinyl chloride)

Epoxy bisphenol acid isooctyl ester (EBAIE) was synthesized and characterized by FTIR and H-NMR. EBAIE was used as poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) plasticizer for the first time, and its addition amount was 30 wt% of PVC. The mechanical properties, thermal stability, compatibility, and decomposition activation energy of PVC blends were systematically studied. Compared to the commercial plasticizer-dioctyl phthalate (DOP), the tensile strength had been significantly increased from 30.64 to 45.07 MPa, while the elongation at break had little difference. The thermal stability analysis showed that the static stability time at 180°C had been extended from 40 to 300 min. The decomposition activation energy indicated that the EBAIE plasticized PVC was with a higher thermal stability. The extraction and volatility resistance of the novel plasticizer were superior to those of DOP.     

Studies of electrical and mechanical properties of poly(vinyl chloride) mixed with electrically conductive additives

Different samples of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) compositions were formulated from PVC, a polar plasticizer such as dioctylphthalate (DOP), and variable proportions of electrically conductive additives such as fast extrusion furnace (FEF) carbon black (CB), poly(vinylpyridine) (PVP), or polyacrylonitrile (PAN). Epoxidized soybean oil was added as a heat stabilizer. Samples of the PVC–CB system were also prepared by dispersing different concentrations of CB into the PVC matrix. The electrical studies showed that the addition of CB to the PVC–DOP system produces a plasticized PVC with high electrical conductivity whereas the compounding of PVC with CB produces a sample with much higher electrical conductivity. The effect of the structure of PVP and PAN on the electrical and mechanical properties of the PVC–DOP system was also studied to obtain a semiconductive plasticized PVC with good mechanical properties. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 1590–1598, 2004     

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.     

Evaluation of the effects of acetyl tributyl citrate as bio‐based plasticizer on the physical,thermal, and dynamical mechanical properties of poly(vinyl chloride)/polymethyl methacrylate blends

This article details our work in studying the plasticization of Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) blends with bio‐based acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC) in place of conventional plasticizers such as di(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate. PMMA was blended with PVC in various ratios from 0 to 100 wt% by melt compounding with or without the plasticizer ATBC. Both the glass transition temperatures of the blends (differential scanning calorimetry) and Tα (dynamic mechanical thermal analysis) are consistent with a miscibility of the components, and Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy studies show that there are specific interactions in the PVC/PMMA blends favoring the miscibility. The thermal degradation of the blends was studied by thermogravimetric analysis that shows the thermal degradation of rigid and plasticized PVC/PMMA is a process composed of two‐steps and that PMMA exercises a stabilizing effect on the thermal degradation of PVC during the first step by decreasing the rate of dehydrochlorination. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 25:E73–E82, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers     

A new biobased plasticizer for poly(vinyl chloride) based on epoxidized cottonseed oil

The use of epoxidized cottonseed oil as plasticizer for poly(vinyl chloride) was studied. The plasticizer content was set to 70 phr and the optimum isothermal curing conditions were studied in the temperature range comprised between 160 and 220 °C with varying curing times in the 7.5–17.5 min range. The influence of the curing conditions on overall performance of cured plastisols was followed by the evolution of mechanical properties (tensile tests with measurements of tensile strength, elongation at break, and modulus), change in color, surface changes of fractured samples by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermal transitions by differential scanning calorimetry, and migration in n‐hexane. The optimum mechanical features of cured plastisols are obtained for curing temperatures in the 190–220 °C range. For these curing conditions, fractography analysis by SEM gives evidences of full curing process as no PVC particles and free plasticizer can be found. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43642.     

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     

Mechanical and barrier properties of polyvinyl chloride plasticized with dioctyl phthalate,epoxidized soybean oil,and epoxidized cardanol

Plasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC) films were prepared by melt compounding and compression molding using epoxidized cardanol (EC), a biobased plasticizer and its plasticization effect was compared with epoxidized soybean oil (ESBO) and dioctyl phthalate (DOP). The mechanical, migration, thermal, and barrier properties of the plasticized films were compared. The effect of replacing DOP with EC on the properties of PVC films was also investigated. The tensile strength, elongation at break, tensile modulus and impact strength values of PVC/EC films were higher in comparison to PVC/DOP and PVC/ESBO films at a fixed plasticizer loading of 40 wt.%. Also, the films prepared with a mixture of DOP + EC showed higher tensile strength and elongation at break compared to that of films prepared with only DOP. The PVC/EC films showed good thermal stability and reduced oxygen transmission rate (OTR) compared to PVC/DOP films. The addition of graphene and nanoclay in the PVC/plasticizer system exhibited an increase in oxygen transmission. However, the oxygen barrier property of nano filler incorporated PVC/EC films was better than PVC/DOP films. All the films showed negligible water vapor transmission rate (WVTR).     

Dynamic rheological behavior and microcrystalline structure of dioctyl phthalate plasticized poly(vinyl chloride)

The dynamic rheological behavior of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/dioctyl phthalate (DOP) systems were studied as a function of DOP content and melting temperature. The dynamic rheological behavior of the PVC/DOP systems was found to be remarkably affected by the DOP content. The observed curves of storage modulus (G′) versus frequency were well fitted to an empirical equation (G′ = G′₀ + Kωⁿ, where G′₀ is the low‐frequency yield value of the storage modulus, the exponent n is a dependent index of frequency, K is a constant coefficient, and ω is the angular frequency). The loss tangent and/or phase angle increased remarkably at a higher DOP content. There was an apparent critical DOP content transition where the dynamic rheological behavior of the PVC/DOP systems changed greatly. Scanning electron microscopy observations revealed the existence of a multiscale particle structure in the PVC/DOP systems. For the PVC/DOP (100/70) system, with increasing melting temperature, its dynamic rheological behavior showed an apparent mutation at about 190°C. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis confirmed that the high elastic networks in the PVC/DOP systems were closely related to the microcrystalline structure of PVC. The transitions in the curves of the gelation degree and crystallinity versus the DOP content corresponded well to the DOP content transition in the dynamic rheological behavior. DOP could inhibit the secondary crystallite of PVC and almost had no effect on the primary crystallite of PVC. The coexistence of the microcrystalline structure of PVC and the plasticizer (DOP) resulted in high elastic networks in the PVC/DOP systems. The DSC results explained the DOP content transition and the temperature transition in the dynamic rheological behavior of the PVC/DOP systems well. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Effect of poly(epichlorohydrin) on the thermal and mechanical properties of poly(vinyl chloride)

Five kinds of polyepichlorohydrin (PECH) of different molecular weights were synthesized and characterized by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Mechanical blending was used to mix PECH and poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) together. The blends of different PVC/PECH ratios were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), tensile tests, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). TGA results show the thermal stability of PVC/PECH blends is desirable. Tensile tests indicate elongation at break is raised by increasing both the amount and the molecular weight of PECH. DSC is used to determine the glass transition temperature of PECH, and a quite low T_g is obtained. DMA results indicate that PECH has a perfect compatibility with PVC, when PECH concentration is below 20 wt %. There is only one peak in each tan δ curve, and the corresponding T_g decreases as PECH amount increases. However, above 20 wt %, phase separation takes place. The molecular weight of PECH also has a great influence on the glass transition temperature of the blends. This study shows that PECH is an excellent plasticizer for PVC, and one can tailor the glass transition temperature and tensile properties by changing the amount and the molecular weight of PECH. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Epoxidized castor oil-based diglycidyl-phthalate plasticizer: Synthesis and thermal stabilizing effects on poly(vinyl chloride)

Epoxidized castor oil-based diglycidyl-phthalate (ECODP) was synthesized and incorporated into poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) for the first time. The chemical structure of the ECODP was confirmed. The plasticizing effects of ECODP as a replacement for commercial plasticizer dioctyl phthalate (DOP) were investigated. The thermal stability and mechanical properties of PVC films before and after aging were investigated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), TGA-FTIR analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and tensile tests. The results indicated that PVC films plasticized with ECODP significantly improved thermal stability, compatibility, and flexibility. When DOP was substituted with ECODP completely, the initial decomposition temperature, 5, 10, 50, and 70% mass loss temperatures (T_i, T₅, T₁₀, T₅₀, and T₇₀) increased by 24.7, 38.9, 32.0, 30.3, and 102.7 °C, respectively. The functional mechanism of the ECODP as a thermal stabilizing plasticizer and the plasticization mechanism of PVC composites were also investigated. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47142.     

Poly(hexane succinate) plasticizer designed for poly(vinyl chloride) with a high efficiency,nontoxicity, and improved migration resistance

Poly(hexane succinate) (PHS) was designed as an alternative type of polyester plasticizer for the modification of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). The plasticizing effect of PHS was studied and compared with the traditional dioctyl phthalate (DOP) plasticizer. The results show that the PVC plasticized by PHS had the lowest tensile strength of 15.3 MPa and the highest elongation at break of 105.1% when 35 phr PHS was added. It also exhibited a lower glass‐transition temperature than PVC plasticized by DOP (PVC–DOP); this could be explained by the improvement of free volume for the amorphous part of PVC enhanced by high‐molecular‐weight PHS. The migration‐resistant properties of PVC–PHS was greatly superior to those of PVC–DOP. All of these results illustrate that PHS had a higher plasticizing efficiency than DOP for PVC. PHS could be used as an alternative plasticizer to remove the potential health risks of phthalates migrating out during applications. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46388.     

Formulation and properties' evaluation of PVC/(dioctyl phthalate)/(epoxidized rubber seed oil) plastigels

Epoxidized rubber seed oil (4.5% oxirane content, ERSO) was prepared by treating the oil with peracetic acid generated in situ by reacting glacial acetic acid with hydrogen peroxide. The thermal behavior of the ERSO was determined by differential scanning calorimetry. The effect of the epoxidized oil on the thermal stability of poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) plastigels, formulated to contain dioctyl phthalate (DOP) plasticizer and various amounts of the epoxidized oil, was evaluated by using discoloration indices of the polymer samples degraded at 160°C for 30 min and thermogravimetry at a constant heating rate of 10°C/min up to 600°C. The thermal behavior of the ERSO was characterized by endothermic peaks at about 150°C, which were attributed to the formation of network structures via epoxide groups, and at temperatures above 300°C, which were due to the decomposition of the material. Up to 50% of the DOP plasticizer in the PVC plastisol formulation could be substituted by ERSO without a marked deleterious effect on the consistency of the plastigel formed. In the presence of the epoxidized oil, PVC plastigel samples showed a marked reduction in discoloration and the number of conjugated double bonds, as well as high temperatures for the attainment of specific extents of degradation. These results showed that the ERSO retarded/inhibited thermal dehydrochlorination and the formation of long (n > 6) polyene sequences in PVC plastigels. The plasticizer efficiency/permanence of ERSO in PVC/DOP plastigels was evaluated from mechanical properties' measurements, leaching/migration tests, and water vapor permeability studies. The results showed that a large proportion of DOP could be substituted by ERSO in a PVC plastisol formulation without deleterious effects on the properties of the plastigels. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers.     

Synthesis of a bio-based plasticizer from vanillic acid and its effects on poly(vinyl chloride)

A new bio-based plasticizer, VA8-8, was prepared derived from vanillic acid, and its structure was verified by nuclear magnetic resonance. It was incorporated into poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) to replace dioctyl phthalate (DOP), and its plasticizing performance was evaluated. The results indicated that VA8-8 shows good compatible with PVC resin, and has a excellent plasticizing effect for PVC. When DOP was partially or completely substituted with VA8-8, the T_g value PVC blends dropped from 34.6 to 24.3°C and the elongation at break increased from 196.4% to 301.9%, suggesting the enhanced plasticizing efficiency of plasticizer. The plasticizing mechanism was also simulated, and the interactions between VA8-8 and PVC molecules were discussed. The thermogravimetric analysis showed VA8-8 can more effectively improve the thermal stability of PVC than DOP. In addition, the migration resistance of VA8-8 was generally superior to that of DOP. Therefore, VA8-8 is a comparable to or better plasticizer than DOP, and it is a promising alternative plasticizer for PVC.     

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     

环保增塑剂及热稳定剂在PVC中的协同作用

以农林剩余物资源腰果酚为原料合成腰果酚基乙酸酯增塑剂(CA),并用不饱和天然油脂为原料制备多效的油脂源钙锌复合热稳定剂(OMFCTS),将其与聚氯乙烯(PVC)进行共混,通过动态力学性能,热重分析,拉伸性能测试以及静态热稳定性分析,研究其增塑效果及协同作用,并与增塑剂邻苯二甲酸二辛酯(DOP)及热稳定剂硬脂酸钙锌盐进行对比。结果表明,含有20份CA增塑剂及OMFCTS热稳定剂的PVC增塑体系的玻璃化转变温度及储能模量低于PVC/DOP增塑体系;热失重10%及50%的温度明显升高,第一最大失重速率温度和第二最大失重速率温度基本保持不变;断裂伸长率提高到了248.66%,拉伸强度降至5.84 MPa;静态热稳定时间可延长到50 min以上。综上可知,CA增塑剂及OMFCTS热稳定剂联用,可有效改善PVC共混体系的相容性、力学性能及热稳定性,提高制品的综合应用性能及环保性。     

聚癸二酸甘油单月桂酸酯的合成及对聚氯乙烯增塑性能的研究

以甘油单月桂酸酯和癸二酸为原料,以钛酸正丁酯为催化剂,在180℃下合成了高分子量聚酯产品：聚癸二酸甘油单月桂酸酯。采用红外光谱、核磁共振仪和凝胶渗透色谱仪对豆油聚酯的结构和分子量进行了表征;并将该聚酯作为增塑剂与聚氯乙烯热塑共混成型后,采用热重分析仪、差示扫描量热仪和万能拉力试验机对共混物的热性能和力学性能进行了表征。结果显示：通过甘油单月桂酸和癸二酸的直接缩聚反应得到了高分子量聚癸二酸甘油单月桂酸酯,该聚酯产品能够提高聚氯乙烯的热稳定性,降低聚氯乙烯的玻璃化转变温度,可以与邻苯类增塑剂复配,得到热性能与力学性能兼顾的聚氯乙烯产品。     

Benzyl ester of dehydrated castor oil fatty acid as plasticizer for poly(vinyl chloride)

The poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) industry plays an important role in today's total plastics industry. The major volume of PVC is used as soft and plasticized PVC. PVC applications consume approximately 80% of the total production of plasticizers. Most of the common plasticizers are aromatic esters of phthalic acid. In the majority of countries, phthalate plasticizers are banned due to their carcinogenic properties. The concern raised about toxicity led to a large demand for bio‐based non‐toxic plasticizers. Hence, there is an increasing interest in replacing the phthalate plasticizers with those produced from simple bio‐based materials. Dehydrated castor oil fatty acid (DCOFA) is a renewable resource which can be esterified and used as an environment friendly plasticizer for PVC. Benzyl ester (BE) was prepared by reacting DCOFA with benzyl alcohol in the presence of catalyst at 170–180 °C. Esterification was further confirmed by acid value, hydroxyl number, ¹H NMR and Fourier transform IR spectroscopy. The modified plasticizer was used in various proportions as a co‐plasticizer in PVC for partial replacement of dioctyl phthalate (DOP). With an increase in the proportion of BE in PVC samples, a good plasticizing performance was observed. The incorporation of BE also resulted in a reduction in viscosity and viscosity pick‐up and improved mechanical, exudation, thermal degradation and chemical resistance properties. The presence of BE showed a reduction in the whiteness index due to presence of conjugated double bonds in the structure. The results of DSC, XRD and Shore hardness studies showed no significant variation in properties compared with those of DOP‐plasticized sheets and thus we can conclude that BE can be used as a co‐plasticizer in PVC. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry