Phthalates: They are produced by esterification of phthalic anhydride or phthalic acid obtained by oxidation of xylene phthalate or naphthalene phthalate. The most commonly used phthalate plasticizers include:
1.DEHP: Low molecular weight phthalate. It is still the world's most widely used PVC plasticizer
2.DINP, DIDP: high molecular weight phthalate
3. Aliphatic dibasic acid esters: including glutarate, adipate, azelaic acid ester and sebacate and other chemicals. They are made from aliphatic dibasic acids such as adipic acid and alcohols.
4. Benzoates: They are esterified products of benzoic acid with certain alcohols or diols.
5. Triformate: produced by esterification of trimellitic anhydride (TMA) and typical C8-C10 alcohol
6. Polyesters: They are formed by many combined reactions of dicarboxylic acids and difunctional alcohols.
7. Citrates: They are tetrates, formed by the reaction of one mole of citric acid with three moles of alcohol. The lone hydroxyl group of citric acid is acetylated.
8. Bio-based plasticizers: They are based on epoxidized soybean oil (ESBO), epoxidized linseed oil (ELO), castor oil, palm oil, other vegetable oils, starch, sugar, etc.
9. Others: including phosphates, chlorinated paraffins, alkyl sulfonates, etc
When added to polymers \ resins, these plasticizers have the following advantages: they make the product softer, improve flexibility, handling becomes possible or easier, and plasticized products are less likely to break at low temperatures.