Plasticiser Compositions

Abstract

C9 to C11 alkyl benzoates are used as plasticisers for polyvinyl chloride in particular in combination with plasticisers such as di-2-ethyl hexyl phthalate, diisononyl phthalate, di-2-propyl heptyl phthalate, diisodecyl phthalate or di-2-ethyl hexyl terephthalate. The use of the C9 to C11 alkyl benzoates provides low viscosity low volatility plasticisers, which are fast fusing with lower hot bench gelation temperature and which can be used to reduce the staining problems associated with use of di-2-ethyl hexyl phthalate and diisononyl phthalate. The low viscosity of the C9 to C11 alkyl benzoates allows the formulation of solvent free flexible PVC formulations meeting stringent VOC limitations.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 11 / 792,034, filed May 31, 2007, which is a 371 National Stage Application of PCT / EP2006 / 000478, filed on Jan. 18, 2006, which claims the benefit of Ser. No. 60 / 645,161, filed on Jan. 18, 2005, the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to improvements in or relating to plasticisers and to plasticised polyvinyl chloride compositions containing the plasticisers and in particular to polyvinyl chloride plastisols.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]When emulsion polyvinyl chloride and plasticiser are mixed a paste is typically formed which dries upon heating at temperatures above 160° C. to form a film. As the temperature is increased the polyvinyl chloride grains in the PVC composition begin to swell eventually forming a solid composition (dry film). This is known as the gelation temperature of the poly...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, the higher the K value of the polyvinyl chloride the slower the gelation rate, the higher the fusion temperature and the lower the flowability of the resin, which is undesirable for plastisol processing.

The use of these materials suffers from the disadvantage that they are volatile and can release volatile organic compounds (VOC), which can impair the ambient air quality in terms of odours and pollutants both during processing and in finished product use.

A further disadvantage of the use of viscosity depressants such as TXIB and hydrocarbon fluids is that they have little if any plasticising effect in polyvinyl chloride formulations and have the tendency to increase the gelation temperature.

Viscosity depressants with little plasticising effect such as TXIB are too volatile to have much of a plasticising effect.

These special plasticisers are, however, expensive and it has recently been suggested that di-2-ethyl hexyl phthalate and butyl benzyl phthalate should be labelled Cat.2 for their potential hazards as reproductive toxicants.

Although these products have acceptable staining performance they are too volatile.

If, however, they are used in combination with the less volatile bulk plasticisers such as diisononyl phthalate, the staining performance decreases (i.e. the staining is worse).

In addition there is a need for a plastisol component which not only functions to reduce the viscosity of the plastisol but also has a plasticising effect and furthermore does not increase the level of VOC's generated from articles produced from the plastisol.

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