Ester Plasticizers
“Ester plasticizers serve as plasticizers, softeners, extenders, and lubricants, esters play a significant role in rubber manufacturing. The basic function of an ester plasticizer is to modify a polymer or resin enhancing its utility. Ester plasticizers make it possible to achieve improved compound processing characteristics, while also providing flexibility in the end-use product. Ester plasticizers are selected based upon cost-performance evaluation. The rubber compounder must evaluate ester plasticizers for compatibility, processibility, permanence and other performance properties. The wide variety of ester chemistries that are in production include sebacates, adipates, gluterates, phthalates, azelates, and other specialty blends. This broad product line provides an array of performance benefits required for the many elastomer applications such as tubing and hose products, seals and gaskets, belts, wire and cable and print rolls. Low to high polarity esters provide utility in a wide range of elastomers including nitrile, polychloroprene, EPDM, chlorinated polyethylene, and epichlorohydrin. Plasticizer-elastomer interaction is governed by many factors such as solubility parameter, molecular weight and chemical structure. Compatibility and performance attributes are key factors in developing a rubber formulation for a particular application.” (Wikipedia, Ester Plasticizers, 5/16/2011)
Recent US Patents
11/30/2010
7,842,761
Bioderived plasticizer for biopolymers
Flynn and Torres of Lapol, California, have developed a bioderived plasticizer for biopolymers includes a compatibilizing unit and a polyester plasticizing unit. The polyester plasticizing unit is formed from monomers comprising a multifunctional alcohol and an aliphatic anhydride or its equivalent dicarboxylic acid and ester derivatives. (RDC 4/20/2011)
Recent Journal Articles
Copolyesters as non-toxic plasticizers
( 1158–1161)Polymer International 60 #8 (2011)
Zhou and Ritter of theHeinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Germany, studied aliphatic copolyesters synthesized via ring opening polymerization of lactones as plasticizers for poly(vinyl chloride). (RDC 7/29/2011)