Effect of partial replacement of di(2‐ethyl hexyl)phthalate, by a polymeric plasticizer, on the permeability and leaching properties of poly(vinyl chloride)

Abstract

Acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) was used as a polymeric plasticizer in poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) for the partial replacement of di(2-ethyl hexyl)phthalate (DEHP). The effect of this partial replacement on DEHP leaching from the PVC was evaluated at 10, 25, and 408C. The study shows that the incorporation of NBR reduces the rate of DEHP leaching, the reduction being prominent at lower temperatures. Gas permeability of the NBR-modified samples was also evaluated at the above temperatures using oxygen and carbon dioxide. A reduction in gas permeability is observed in NBR-modified samples compared to the PVC plasticized with DEHP alone particularly in the case of carbon dioxide. Water vapor transmission rates of the NBR-modified samples are higher than that of the control sample. The NBR-modified PVC sample was found to be noncytotoxic in the in vitro cytotoxic evaluation both by direct contact and test on extract methods.

HEALTH & SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

“…In this study, sections of PVC pipe had both ends blocked. [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] Later it was found that the chronic cancer and noncancer effects of DINP on rodent liver are consistent with its known action as a peroxisome proliferator. 13 The amount of UV energy affects the rate of vinyl chloride release and migration.…”

“…14 In addition to their high cancer risks, dioxins adversely affect the immune and endocrine systems and the development of foetuses. 16,17,18,25,26 In the study of DINP it was concluded that soft PVC toys and other children's products do not present a significant risk to children. 14 The dioxins trapped in ash will not affect environment because they are expected to be decomposed in the presence of titanium dioxide which was also added.…”

“…14 It was found that dibutyl phthalate and diisononyl phthalate cause liver cancer in rats and have an adverse effect on the reproductive development of young rats. 17 In Germany, daily intake of DOP (or DEHP) was studied based on urinary levels of its metabolites such as mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl)phthalate, mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl)phthalate, and mono-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate. Since phthalate plasticizers are very effective in PVC plasticization it has caused many difficulties and setbacks for PVC industry.…”

Effect of liquid plasticizers on crystallization of PCL in soft PVC/PCL/plasticizer blends

“…[8][9][10][11] Nevertheless, these alternative plasticizers are still small molecular compounds and migration of plasticizers from soft PVC is unavoidable during long-time service, which would result in decreasing of durability. Several strategies have been developed to reduce migration of small molecular plasticizers from flexible PVC, including surface crosslinking, [12][13][14] surface grafting, [15][16][17][18] surface coating, [19][20][21][22][23] coextrusion, 24,25 mixing with nano-particles, [26][27][28][29][30] internal plasticization, [31][32][33] blending, [34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41] and so forth. Blending with macromolecular plasticizers is one of the few solutions which combines practicability with effectiveness, due to its ease of manufacturing and nonmigratory nature of polymers.…”

Synthesis of low molecular weight poly(vinyl acetate) and its application as plasticizer

“…A major point of concern with monomeric plasticizers in particular in packaging applications is the loss of the plasticizer due to migration, extraction, or evaporation . As a consequence, polymeric or oligomeric plasticizers became increasingly attractive in recent years because of the reduced loss due to their higher molecular weights . Widely used are polyethylene glycols (PEG) and polyesters .…”