Study of the Use of Plasticizer from Renewable Sources in PVC Compositions

Synthetic polymers have been widely used in manufactured products because of their physical and chemical properties and low cost of production. Poly(vinyl chloride), called PVC, is a versatile, inexpensive plastic whose use has become pervasive in modern society. Its applications include window frames, rain gutters, wall paneling, doors, wallpapers, flooring, garden furniture, toys, blood bags and pipes. In all of these applications additives are used, with plasticizers being among the most important. This work shows a comparative study among distinct compositions of flexible PVC - based on two vegetable plasticizers from renewable sources (modified vegetable oil - OVM and epoxidized modified vegetable oil - OVME), in addition to two conventional petrochemical plasticizers, called di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate-(DEHP) and di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate-(DEHA). No significant differences were observed in the mechanical behavior of the compositions evaluated. The plasticizers affected the hardness and chemical resistance to n-heptane for the compositions. The epoxi group and the high molar mass from vegetable plasticizers showed better compatibility with the PVC resin. The analyses by SEM showed a probable exudation of OVM from the PVC matrix.