Investigation of the rheological properties of PVC compositions containing phthalate plasticizers

Polymer materials based on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are processed in the form of multitudinous compositions. One of the main indicators in the processing of polymer compositions is manufacturability. It is known that in the processing of polyvinyl chloride compositions manufacturability is estimated by rheology of melts. The determine polymer processability the melt flow index (MFI) is the most widespread and almost universally used value. The melt flow index of the polymer material is the mass of polymer in grams extruded through the capillary at a certain temperature and pressure overfall in 10 minutes. It allows us to take decisions on the necessary conditions of processing the polymer composition and to determine the temperature limits of converting. In fact, PVC compositions are characterized by high viscosity and various chemical additives. For example, plasticizers are used to improve the processing conditions. This research studied how oxyalkylated alcohol phthalates developed by the authors influence on the MFI polymer. The results show that the synthesized esters, in a greater degree respect to the industrial plasticizer di- octylphthalate (DOP), increase the fluidity of the melt of the PVC composition and reduce its processing temperature thus improving the effectiveness of the plastic production.