Plasticiser loss from plastic or rubber products through diffusion and evaporation

Xin-Feng Wei,Erik Linde,Mikael S Hedenqvist

doi:10.1038/s41529-019-0080-7

Xin-Feng Wei, Erik Linde + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41529-019-0080-7

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Abstract

Polymers experience degradation during storage and service. One of the main degradation mechanisms of plasticised-polymer products is the loss of plasticiser, which leads to poorer mechanical properties and eventual contamination of the surrounding environment. This paper addresses the kinetics and predictions of plasticiser migration from polymers to a surrounding gas phase, an important issue for plastic and rubber products exposed to high service temperature conditions and during accelerated ageing and testing. The features and factors influencing the two migration-rate-limiting modes (plasticiser evaporation and diffusion), as well as migration issues related to bio-based plasticisers and plasticiser-biopolymer systems, are discussed.

Highlights

Plasticisers are commonly added to polymers to lower their glass transition temperature and increase their processability, mechanical flexibility, ductility and toughness.[1,2,3,4,5] They represent a class of usually low-to-medium-high molecular-weight compounds with different polarities that are relatively nonvolatile at ambient conditions
One of the main degradation mechanisms of plasticised-polymer products is the loss of plasticiser, which leads to poorer mechanical properties and eventual contamination of the surrounding environment
This paper addresses the kinetics and predictions of plasticiser migration from polymers to a surrounding gas phase, an important issue for plastic and rubber products exposed to high service temperature conditions and during accelerated ageing and testing

Summary

Introduction

Plasticisers are commonly added to polymers to lower their glass transition temperature and increase their processability, mechanical flexibility, ductility and toughness.[1,2,3,4,5] They represent a class of usually low-to-medium-high molecular-weight compounds with different polarities that are relatively nonvolatile at ambient conditions.

Results

Conclusion