Plasticisers: Characteristics
How compounders pick the right ester for each job
What this tab covers The physical and chemical properties that set its grade, price and uses, with the commercial grades and the standards that define them.Compounders choose on efficiency (how much is needed for a given softness), volatility, migration, cold flexibility, electrical resistivity and price. Higher molecular weight lowers volatility and migration but needs more loading.
Properties that matter commercially
| Property | Value / specification | Why it matters | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purity and colour | ester content typically 99.5% min (indicative) | clear films and electrical grades | indicative |
| Volatility | TOTM lowest, DOP highest of the main types (indicative) | high-temperature cable ratings and fogging in cars | indicative |
| Volume resistivity | grade-specific | cable insulation | indicative |
Commercial grades
- DOP/DEHP general purpose
- DINP and DIDP for cables and flooring
- DOTP/DEHT general-purpose non-phthalate
- DINCH for toys and medical
- TOTM for 105 C cables and car interiors
- DOA for cold flexibility
- ESBO co-stabiliser
- Citrates for medical