Cyclohexanetripropionic Ester Plasticizer Blend for Low-Gel PVC Plastisols

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Solution Overview

Problem

Trimethyl esters of 1,2,4-cyclohexanetripropionic acid exhibit high viscosity and significant evaporation during processing, leading to suboptimal performance as sole plasticizers in PVC-based plastisols.

Innovation Solution

A plasticizer composition comprising trimethyl esters of 1,2,4-cyclohexanetripropionic acid combined with longer-chain trialkyl esters, each with 4 to 9 carbon atoms, and optionally epoxidized oils, to enhance application-related properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If trimethyl ester of 1,2,4-cyclohexanetripropionic acid is used as the sole plasticizer, then the gelling temperature is reduced, but the viscosity of the plastisol becomes too high and significant evaporation occurs during processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegelling temperatureVSAvoidviscosity and evaporation

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines trimethyl ester of 1,2,4-cyclohexanetripropionic acid with longer-chain trialkyl esters (having 4 to 9 carbon atoms in the alkyl groups) to create a plasticizer composition. This merging of different ester types with complementary properties resolves the contradiction: the trimethyl ester provides low gelling temperature while the longer-chain esters provide appropriate viscosity and reduced evaporation, achieving balanced performance for PVC-based plastisols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the molecular parameter of the plasticizer by using esters with different carbon chain lengths (C1 vs C4-C9 alkyl groups). This parameter change allows optimization of both gelling temperature and processing characteristics, as the shorter-chain trimethyl ester lowers gelling temperature while the longer-chain esters maintain viscosity and reduce volatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If trimethyl ester of 1,2,4-cyclohexanetripropionic acid is used as the sole plasticizer, then the gelling temperature is reduced, but significant portion of the plasticizer evaporates during processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegelling temperatureVSAvoidevaporation of plasticizer

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges trimethyl ester with longer-chain trialkyl esters in a plasticizer composition. The trimethyl ester component provides the low gelling temperature effect, while the longer-chain esters (with 4 to 9 carbon atoms per alkyl group) have lower volatility and compensate for evaporation losses, thereby reducing overall substance loss during processing while maintaining the desired gelling temperature

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite plasticizer system combining different ester types (trimethyl ester and longer-chain trialkyl esters) with complementary properties. This composite approach allows the system to simultaneously achieve low gelling temperature (from trimethyl ester) and reduced evaporation (from longer-chain esters with higher molecular weight and lower vapor pressure)

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP4703423A1Plasticizer composition comprising trimethylester of 1,2,4-cyclohexanetripropionic acid and their long chain derivatives

Publication Date: 2026.03.04 EVONIK OXENO GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

The present invention relates to a plasticizer composition comprising a compound of formula (1) and at least one longer-chain trialkyl ester of 1,2,4-cyclohexanetripropionic acid, wherein the three alkyl groups in the trialkyl ester of 1,2,4-cyclohexanetripropionic acid each have 4 to 9 carbon atoms.