ABSTRACT
WhilsttheuseofplasticisersisnotconfinedsolelytoPVCtechnology,the interactionofpoly(vinylchloride)withplasticisersplaysauniqueroleinthe exploitationofthermoplastics.Notonlydoplasticisersfacilitatefusionand meltprocessingatlowertemperatures,toyieldsofterandmoreflexible products,butthepropertieschangeprogressivelywithplasticiserlevel,to giveawiderangeofusefulcompositions.Evenathighplasticiserlevels, PVCcompositionsretainausefuldegreeofstrengthandelasticity,with surprisinglygoodcreeprecovery.Theplasticiserscommonlyemployedare relativelynon-volatileliquidswhichsolvateandsoftenthepolymer,butare notgoodsolventsatambienttemperatures.Theroleofplasticisertypeand concentrationinPVCprocessingwillbeconsideredlater,butitwillbe apparentfromthemultitudeofflexiblePVCapplicationsthatplasticisers havebeenidentifiedtomeetavastrangeofproductrequirements,thermal, mechanical,electrical,toxicologicalandvisual.
