Use of Polymeric Plasticizers in Polyvinyl Chloride to Reduce Conventional Plasticizer Migration for Critical Applications

Di-(2-ethyl hexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a conventional plasticizer in polyvinyl chloride (PVC), was partially replaced by polymeric plasticizers. Three different elastomers such as nitrile rubber (NBR), carboxylated nitrile rubber (XNBR) and epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) were used as polymeric plasticizers. Mechanical properties and leaching of DEHP of the modified PVC in comparison to the compound containing DEHP alone were investigated. The study shows that the migration of the DEHP can be reduced significantly without affecting the useful mechanical properties.