Applications & Uses of Plasticizer

The major applications of plasticizers in elastomeric-base polymers are pressure sensitive adhesives, contact cements and sealants. Perhaps, pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs) are the products that have the highest usage of plasticizer because of the need to establish predetermined levels of tack, modulus and elongation.

Products that use plasticizers can take several forms, each of which has unique properties and requirements for plasticizers. These forms are:

Solvent-based
Water-based (dispersed/emulsions)
Solids
Plastisols

Each form will provide compounding challenges with regard to plasticizer selection. Table below summarizes the main functions performed by plasticizers in various types of adhesive and sealant formulations.

Function	Solvent-Based	Water-Based	Hot-Melt	100% Solids
Soften, decrease modulus, decrease Tg	✓	✓	✓	✓
Increase solids content	✓	✓
Replace co- solvents and improved coalescence		✓
Increase blocking resistance	✓	✓
Improve adhesion, tack, and heat sealing temperature	✓	✓	✓
Decrease viscosity			✓
Increase viscosity		✓
Improve wetting and coatability		✓
Modify open and set time	✓		✓
Improve processing characteristics		✓	✓	✓

Plasticizers are Used in PVC Pipe Adhesives

Plasticizers are used primarily with thermoplastic polymer-based adhesives which include heat-sealable coatings such as blister packaging.

Plasticizers are used in hobby and household cements

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Plasticizer Applications in Adhesives & Sealants

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