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[Chemical Knowledge]：What is a plasticizer? An additive or a poison?

Read： 330 Time：18months ago Source：Transform the World with Simplicity

Plastic products have become an integral part of modern life, from daily necessities to industrial use, plastic products can be seen everywhere, and plasticizers have become an indispensable additive in plastic products.

What is a plasticizer?

Plasticizers are chemicals added to plastics to improve their flexibility and toughness. They can act like lubricants in plastics, making them easier to process. In terms of chemical structure, plasticizers are generally macromolecular organic compounds composed of one or more hydrophobic groups and one or more hydrophilic groups. Common plasticizers are phthalates, phospholipids, phenol and its ethers, epoxy compounds, polyoxymethylene urea, etc.

types and application

plasticizers are divided into two categories according to their types, one is non-volatile plasticizers, and the other is volatile plasticizers.

non-volatile plasticizers are mainly phthalates and phosphates, which can break the molecular bonds in the plastic, making the plastic soft and elastic. Suitable for furniture, printing, building materials, packaging, etc. There are more types of

volatile plasticizers, such as butyl acetate, xylene and other organic solvents, which can quickly volatilize out during processing, and will cause the plastic to become brittle and break after long-term use. Therefore, volatile plasticizers are more suitable for products that are used for a short time, such as shoes and shade curtains.

safety issues

With the widespread use of plasticizers, people began to question their safety issues. Some studies have confirmed that some plasticizers are toxic and can cause adverse effects on human health. For example, phthalate plasticizers have been found to cause reproductive and developmental problems, while phenol and its ether plasticizers have been shown to be a potential carcinogen.

However, more plasticizers have not been fully studied, and to what extent they are toxic needs further scientific research to confirm. Some plasticizers that have undergone rigorous inspection and certification, such as polyoxymethylene urea, have become the safer types of plasticizers on the market.

conclusion

plasticizers play an important role in the plastics industry, but their safety issues have also attracted more and more attention. For consumers, it is very important to purchase plasticizer products and manufacturers that meet relevant standards and certifications. For processing enterprises, it is more important to optimize and use safe and environmentally friendly plasticizers to ensure the safety and health of users in order to promote the sustainable development of the plastics industry.