Identification and assessment of alternatives to selected phthalates

Plasticiser in
PVC, conc. phr
50, except for
plastisol viscosity
*1
Gelling temperature,
°C
Table 2.3
Technical key parameters of selected phthalate plasticisers' performance in PVC (from
Wilson, 1995, citing BP Chemicals)
Shore A
hardness*2
Elongation at
break,%
Volatility
(loss on
heating),%
Extracted in
mineral oil,
g/m 2
Extracted in
1% soap in
water, g/m 2
DBP 72 75 285 8.6 16 25 11.8
BBP 88 76 290 1.6 10 27 65.0
DEHP 109 80 325 0.8 10 19 6.9
DINP 118 84 325 0.5 7 12 6.9
DIDP 112 86 320 0.4 10 9 8.0
Plastisol
viscosity, at
phr 60, after
1 day, Pa s
Notes: *1: phr = parts per hard resin, meaning parts per weight of hard PVC. *2: A measure for the
plasticiser's efficiency in making PVC flexible; the lower the number, the softer the PVC and the
more efficient plasticiser.
2.2 Application of DEHP
The following information is, if nothing else is mentioned, extracted from an
assessment of the manufacturing and use of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate
(DEHP) recently published by the European Chemicals Agency (COWI,
2009a).
DEHP is widely used as a plasticiser in polymer products, mainly PVC. It offers
a good all-round performance and is therefore used for a many general
purpose products. The content of DEHP in flexible polymer materials varies,
but is often around 30% (w/w).
The main end-product uses of DEHP are as follows:
� Flooring:
- PVC flooring (with PVC surface);
- Carpets with PVC back-coating;
- Cork with PVC top-coating or back-coating ;
� Wall covering;
� Roofing;
� Film/sheet and coated products:
- Curtains, blinds, table linen, etc.;
- Packaging;
- Tape and self-adhesive foils;
- Office supplies (ring binders, files, slip cases, etc.);
- Medical bag/sheet devices;
- Bottom sheets for hospitals.
� Wires and cables;
� Hoses and profiles;
- Garden hoses and tubes;
- Hoses and tubes in industry;
- Profiles of windows and electrical products;
- Medical tubing.
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