Acetylated Polyol Hydroxystearate Plasticizers for Phthalate-Free PVC

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Solution Overview

Problem

Phthalate plasticizers used in flexible polymer products have raised environmental and health concerns, necessitating the development of suitable replacements that maintain performance without the negative impacts.

Innovation Solution

The use of acetylated polyol hydroxystearate plasticizers, which include acetylated polyol monohydroxystearate in high weight percentages, combined with epoxidized natural oils or epoxidized fatty acid alkyl esters, to form plasticized polymeric compositions that are compatible with vinyl chloride resins, offering alternatives to phthalates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If phthalate plasticizers are used to plasticize vinyl chloride resins, then flexibility and processability are improved, but environmental and health hazards increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility and processabilityVSAvoidenvironmental and health hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the plasticizer by using acetylated polyol hydroxystearates with specific molecular structures and acetylation degrees (70-90% acetylated). This parameter change maintains the plasticizing effectiveness for vinyl chloride resins while eliminating the harmful phthalate structure, thus resolving the contradiction between performance and environmental safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite plasticizer formulations comprising acetylated polyol hydroxystearate combined with epoxidized natural oils or epoxidized fatty acid alkyl esters. This composite approach maintains the flexibility and processability benefits while using environmentally benign components, thereby resolving the contradiction between operational ease and environmental harm

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If acetylated polyol hydroxystearate plasticizers are used as replacements, then environmental safety is improved, but compatibility and performance may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental safetyVSAvoidcompatibility and performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes specific parameters of the acetylated polyol hydroxystearate including the acetylation degree (70-90%), molecular weight, and hydroxyl value to ensure compatibility with vinyl chloride resins. These parameter adjustments maintain plasticizer-resin compatibility and desired performance characteristics while preserving environmental safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses epoxidized natural oils or epoxidized fatty acid alkyl esters as intermediary components in the plasticizer formulation. These intermediaries enhance compatibility with vinyl chloride resins and ensure proper performance while the acetylated polyol hydroxystearate provides the environmentally safe base, together resolving the contradiction between safety and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2864408B1Acetylated polyol hydroxystearate plasticizers and plasticized polymeric compositions

Publication Date: 2018.04.18 DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

Plasticizers comprising an acetylated polyol hydroxystearate and plasticized polymeric compositions comprising such plasticizers. Such plasticized polymeric compositions can be employed in forming various articles of manufacture, such as coated conductors.