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[Chemical Knowledge]：What is a plasticizer? Understand the role and application of plasticizers

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With the development of human economy and technology, the application of various plastic products is more and more extensive. Plastic products have the advantages of low price, light weight, easy processing and high strength, and have replaced many traditional materials. However, plastic materials also have many disadvantages in the production and use process. They are usually brittle, easily deformed, severely worn, and do not withstand high temperatures. To solve these problems, scientists have created plasticizers. So, "What is a plasticizer? Why can it improve the performance of plastic materials?"

1. What is a plasticizer?

A plasticizer is an additive used to improve the performance of plastic materials. They can promote the flexibility, ductility and plasticity of plastic materials, so that it has better strength, wear resistance and durability. Plasticizers are usually organic compounds and can be divided into two categories: plasticizing and synergistic plasticizing.

2. The role of plasticizer The main role of

plasticizer is to adjust the plastic material to make it have enough toughness to withstand severe deformation and compression. Plasticizers can reduce the locking effect between molecules in plastics, making them easy to move and deform. In general, plasticizers can reduce the tensile strength of plastic materials, but can significantly improve their impact resistance. This means that the plastic product is less likely to break in an impact or collision during use.

3. Types of plasticizers

According to the different functions and properties of plasticizers, it can be divided into two types: plasticizing plasticizers and co-plasticizers.

(1) Plasticizing Plasticizers: Plasticizing plasticizers improve the kinematic properties of plastics, creating large complementary properties in plastics, thereby improving the flexibility, workability, durability and strength of plastics. Plasticizing plasticizers are usually non-oxide plasticizers (such as copper phthalocyanine) and oxide plasticizers (such as selenium phthalocyanine).

(2) Synergistic plasticizer: Synergistic plasticizer has the function of degradation aid, they can reduce the molecular weight of plastic through reaction, and further affect the flexibility and processability of plastic. The co-plasticizers are typically organotin compounds such as isobutyltin acetate and tin oxide.

4. Application of plasticizers

plasticizers are widely used in the production of various plastic products, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, etc. PVC material is an important plasticizer application field. For example, window frames, flooring, wallpaper, wires, cables, etc. all require plasticizers to improve their flexibility and strength.

5. Advantages and disadvantages of plasticizers

plasticizers have a wide range of application prospects in plastic production, but they also have some disadvantages. The use of some plasticizers may cause environmental pollution problems and human health problems. Some plasticizers will release harmful substances in the process of manufacture and use, which will have a certain impact on the environment and human health. In addition, plasticizers also have some negative effects on the chemical and physical properties of plastic products, reducing the service life of plastic products.

plasticizer is an important plastic additive, which can improve the flexibility and strength of plastic materials, and is widely used in the production of plastic products. But we also need to pay attention to the negative effects of plasticizers, use and choose plasticizers reasonably, and minimize the impact on the environment and human health.