Alloying of poly(vinyl chloride) to reduce plasticizer migration

Concern over the migration of low molecular weight plasticizer from flexible poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) used in toys and medical products has spearheaded the commercialization of a number of plasticizing polymers. In this study the plasticizing behavior of an ethylene/vinyl acetate/carbon monoxide terpolymer (Elvaloy(circle times) from DuPont) was investigated. Blends of PVC, Elvaloy 742, and dioctyl phthalate (DOP) were processed on a twin-roll mill and compression molded into plaques. These materials were characterized in terms of their hardness, glass-transition temperature (T,), clarity, mechanical properties, and plasticizer migration behavior. The ratios of PVC/DOP/Elvaloy investigated were determined by experimental design. Using this approach it was possible to model the results and produce contour plots to map out the properties of a wide range of formulations. It was confirmed that Elvaloy 742 is compatible with PVC and has a plasticizing effect: this was demonstrated both in terms of a reduction in Shore A hardness and a reduction in T. Plasticizer migration was reduced in proportion to the amount of liquid plasticizer replaced. Plasticizing with Elvaloy gave an improvement in tear strength. However, at constant hardness there was no improvement in tensile strength from replacing DOP with Elvaloy. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.