Plasticizer transfer from plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) sheets to petroleum oils

Plasticizer migration from poly(vinyl chloride) remains a critical problem due to the high consumption of this polymer in a flexible form. The systems poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/labeled dioctyl phthalate (DOP)/white spirit, kerosene, white oil, or lubricating oil have been considered in this article. Migration experiments were carried out at three different temperatures (30, 50, and 70°C) for extremely prolonged periods of time. At the initial stages the data collected fit well to short-term Fickian behavior. The respective diffusion coefficients increase with temperature, conforming also to an Arrhenius form, but the eventually obtained migration values seem to pass through a minimum in the case of the lighter oils.     

Peroxide crosslinking of unplasticized poly(vinyl chloride)

A crosslinking system consisting of 1,1‐di‐t‐butylperoxy‐3,3,5‐trimethyl cyclohexane peroxide and trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TMPTMA) has been used to introduce crosslinks into unplasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). The influence of the concentration of both reagents has been investigated, and crosslinking monitored by determination of the remaining sample weight after Soxhlet extraction with tetrahydrofuran. The system used (i.e., 0.5–2.0 phr peroxide with 5 to 15 phr TMPTMA) has been shown to be effective for crosslinking PVC. Gel contents of 30–40% have been obtained, premature crosslinking during processing is largely avoided, but thermal stability still needs to be improved. Considerable improvements in elevated temperature mechanical properties can be attained using an appropriate TMPTMA/peroxide concentration. The best tensile properties were obtained with 0.5 phr peroxide and 15 phr TMPTMA. Observed increases in T_g, also achievable with only 0.5 phr peroxide, but only slightly dependent on TMPTMA concentration, represent a useful increase in service temperature for the resulting compound. Lower peroxide levels may be adequate to achieve property improvements. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 77: 2657–2666, 2000     

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     

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.     

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     

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.     

The migration of plasticizers from poly(vinyl chloride) into edible oils

The migration of phthalate plasticizers from poly (vinyl chloride) into edible oils has been analyzed. The principal method used involved ¹⁴C-labeled dibutyl and dioctyl phthalates with detection by liquid scintillation spectrophotometry. In most cases, the migration of the main plasticizer was accompanied by the migration of the secondary plasticizer, when present, and by diffusion of the oil into the polymer. Comparison of the scintillation results with those obtained by weight loss measurements can give quantitative information on the amount of the liquid medium that diffuses during the migration process. The effect of the following factors on the migration process was examined; (a) the nature and acidity of the edible oil, (b) the composition and amount of phthalate plasticizer, (c) the amount of epoxy plasticizer, and (d) the temperature and time of contact.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Miscible blends from plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) and epoxidized natural rubber

Miscible blends from plasticized poly(vinyl chloride), and epoxidized natural rubber having 50 mol% epoxidation level were prepared in a Brabender Plasticorder by the melt-mixing technique. Changes in Brabender torque and temperature, density, dynamic mechanical properties, and differential scanning calorimetry of the samples were examined as a function of blend composition. The plasticized poly(vinyl chloride)/epoxidized natural rubber blends behaved as a compatible system at all composition ranges as evident from their single glass-rubber transition temperature (T_g) obtained from dynamic mechanical analysis as well as from differential scanning calorimetry. Profound changes in the nature of the glass-rubber transition were noted with respect to blend composition. The T_g-width values of blends lie between those of plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) and epoxidized natural rubber.     

Simultaneous diffusion of benzyl alcohol into plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) and of plasticizer from polymer into liquid

The diffusion of benzyl alcohol and plasticizer in compression-molded sheets of plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) was studied over the temperature range 30–55°C. A simultaneous diffusion occurred for benzyl alcohol into polymer and for dioctyl phthalate as plasticizer from polymer into liquid when the polymer was soaked in benzyl alcohol. The concentration of benzyl alcohol in polymer increased, rose to a maximum, and then decreased. Diffusion coefficients were measured by considering a nonsteady-state phenomenon for plasticizer concentration of 25, 38, and 50 wt %, both for dioctyl phthalate and benzyl alcohol. Plasticizer concentration and temperature were found to play an important role.     

On the dynamic state of plasticized poly(vinyl chloride)

The spin probe technique is suggested to be suitable for the study of polymer-plasticizer interactions. In this work it was found that the rotational relaxation time (τ) of probe radicals in plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) diminishes strongly when the amount of plasticizer is increased. A linear correlation between τ and Young's modulus (G) was observed. This indicated that the microstate considerably influences the mechanical behaviour of the gel. The translational diffusion constant of plasticizer molecules at 25°C was calculated to change from 0.2 times; 10^-8 cm²/s (PVC weight fraction 0.83) to 4.6 times; 10^-8 cm²/s, (PVC weight fraction 0.20). These values indicate a high degree of freedom for lateral motion of plasticizer molecules in gels.     

Rheological and mechanical properties of plasticized poly(vinyl chloride)

The dependence of rheological properties of a plasticized, filled poly(vinyl chloride) compound on three different methods of thermomechanical treatments has been studied. These three different states of the compound are the dry blend mixed at a maximum temperature of 93°C, the two-roll milled sample prepared at 150°C from the dry blend and the molded sample pressed at 170°C from the previously milled material. At 150°C the viscosity and elasticity of the molded sample are considerably higher than those of the dry blend and the milled sample. At higher temperatures, although their flow curves more or less merge, extrudate swell, extrudate appearance and extrudate tensile properties of the three samples vary. The mechanical and Theological properties of the quenched and annealed molded samples and those of the same compound without filler have also been investigated.     

Diamide derivatives as photostabilizers for plasticized poly(vinyl chloride)

Some diamide derivatives have been prepared, characterized, and investigated as photostabilizers for plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), containing dioctyl phthalate and dibutyl phthalate in a concentration of 30% by weight of the polymer. The stabilizing efficiency of the prepared diamides was evaluated by determining the weight loss percentage that resulted from HCl evolution during the photodegradation process. Moreover, the efficiency was evaluated by determining the amount of gel formed as well as the intrinsic viscosity of the soluble fractions of the photodegraded polymer. The extent of discoloration of the photodegraded stabilized and plasticized PVC was also investigated. The stabilization mechanism and the effect of plasticizers on the photostability of PVC are discussed. J. Vinyl Addit. Technol., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Blends of plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) and waste flexible poly(vinyl chloride) with waste nitrile rubber powder

Blends of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) with varying contents of plasticizer and finely ground powder of waste nitrile rubber rollers were prepared over a wide range of rubber contents through high‐temperature blending. The effects of rubber and plasticizer (dioctyl phthalate) content on the tensile strength, percentage elongation, impact properties, hardness, abrasion resistance, flexural crack resistance, limiting oxygen index (LOI), electrical properties, and breakdown voltage were studied. The percentage elongation, flexural crack resistance, and impact strength of blends increased considerably over those of PVC. The waste rubber had a plasticizing effect. Blends of waste plasticized PVC and waste nitrile rubber showed promising properties. The electrical properties and LOI decreased with increasing rubber and plasticizer content. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 1552–1558, 2004     

Irreversible deformation of plasticized and impact-modified poly(vinyl chloride)

Tensile mechanical properties of DOP-plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and methyl methacrylate-butyl acrylate copolymer (MMA-BA) or ethylene vinyl acetate-vinyl chloride copolymer (EVA-VC) modified PVC have been studied. The irreversible deformation processes have been investigated using optical microscopy. Thermal analysis and x-ray diffraction were used to investigate the structure of the PVC blends. The differences in behavior observed for the modified and plasticized PVC are discussed on the basis of their morphology.     

Dielectric and electromechanical studies of plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) fabricated from plastisol

Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) plastisol is used in many industrial applications and is considered an electrically inactive material. To explore the potential of plastisol as an electroactive material, the dielectric properties, space charge distribution, mechanical properties, internal structure and electromechanical behavior of plasticized PVC (PVC gel) prepared from plastisol by heating were investigated. The gel exhibited a large dielectric constant at low frequencies (1–1000 Hz), an asymmetric charge distribution and excellent mechanical properties. Various DC electric fields were applied to the gel placed parallel between two electrodes and the electrostatic adhesive force to the anode was measured. The results of small‐ and wide‐angle X‐ray scattering suggested that the electromechanical properties of the gel originated from the characteristics of the physical crosslinking distance (ca 20 nm) of PVC in the gel structure. Considering the dielectric properties, space charge density and adhesion force to the anode, PVC gels prepared from plastisol using the heating method have potential for use as electroactive materials. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry