A replacement plasticizer system for phthalate-plasticized formulations

0001The present invention generally relates to the field of polymers. Specifically, the present invention relates to plasticizers used in polymers to create desired physical characteristics in the resulting polymer/plasticizer complex, such as increasing flexibility, pliability, and plasticity in the resultant polymer complex.

0002For example, plasticizers such as di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalale ("DEHP"), di-isononyl phthalate ("DINP"), and other phthalate plasticizers have long been industry standard plasticizers used with polymers such as homo- and copolymers- of polyvinyl chloride ("PVC"), polyvinyl dichlorides ("PVC"), vinyls, and similar polymers and resins to impart pliability and plasticity while retaining good tensile strength and resistance to cracking at low temperatures. For example, phthalate plasticizers have been used with rigid polymers such as PVC to create pliable materials used in such goods as intravenous (IV) bags and tubing, molded children's toys that require a soft or malleable feel, and various other applications where pliability or softness needs to be imparted to a polymer.

0003Phthalate plasticizers such as DEHP and DINP were once preferred plasticizers due to their ability to impart the physical characteristics noted above, and their permanence in the polymer over time, even when exposed to relatively high temperatures and humidity. However, public sentiment has prompted many manufacturers of consumer products to discontinue use of phthalates as a plasticizer due to concerns over potential adverse health effects. Thus, plasticizer compositions that reduce or eliminate phthalates, but perform similarly to DINP or other effective phthalate plasticizers, would be greatly appreciated in the art. Moreover, alternative non-phthatate plasticizers, which show an improved permanence in, and high compatibility with, a broad range of polymers would be greatly appreciated in the art.

0004Notable phthalate-free examples of plasticizers for use in PVC formulations include epoxidized soy oil. Unfortunately, epoxidized soy oil has limited solubility in PVC and insufficiently plasticizes PVC for many applications. Other epoxides have been identified as potential PVC plasticizers, including epoxies made from esters of fatty acids, the epoxy of 2-ethylhexyanol, and epoxidized palm oil esters. Unfortunately, epoxides made from esters of fatty acids such as the epoxidized methyl ester of soy oil are too volatile to serve as useful plasticizers of PVC.

0005Yet, the need exists for phthalate-free plasticizers that are compatible with other plasticizers, suitably nonvolatile, not petroleum-based, and capable of imparting thermal stability to formulations presently using phthalate plasticizers. It is further desirable to broaden the applications in which PVC, other halogenated polymers, acid-functionalized polymers, anhydride-functionalized polymers, and nitrile rubbers may be used by developing new plasticized formulations. In some instances, it might prove useful for the plasticizer or the plasticizer system to act as an acid scavenger.

0006To that end, the presently invented replacement plasticizer system is provided, comprising: <ol id="ol0001" compact="compact"><li>(a) a primary plasticizer consisting of an epoxidized fatty acid ester plasticizer selected from the group consisting of epoxidized biodiesel, epoxidized derivatives of fatty acid esters of biodiesel and an epoxide of a fatty acid methyl ester, and</li><li>(b) a secondary plasticizer, wherein the system is phthalate free.</li></ol>

0007The replacement placement system is useful with a variety of polymers in applications such as wire-and-cable insulations, wire-and-cable jackets, coatings, adhesives, and castings.

0008The epoxidized fatty acid ester plasticizers are epoxidized biodiesel and epoxidized derivatives of fatty acid esters of biodiesel. For the purposes of this application, the term "biodiesel" means herein mono-alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fats. Preferably, the biodiesel is derived from vegetable oils.

0009Also the epoxidized fatty acid ester can be an epoxide of a fatty acid methyl ester. More generally, the epoxidized fatty acid ester can be any epoxidized fatty acid C₁-C₁₄ ester, including ethyl, propyl, butyl, and 2-ethylhexyl esters.

0010The epoxidized fatty acid ester can be prepared in a variety of conventional ways. For example, natural oils can be used as the starting material. In that instance, the natural oils can be saponified to the fatty acids and then esterified with alcohols. Next, the low molecular weight esters are epoxidized. The unsaturated ester can be epoxidized with a per-acid.

0011Alternatively, a glycidyl ester of the fatty acid can be prepared via epichlorohydrin or related chemicals. In yet another alternate, it is possible to transesterify the triglyceride with alcohols and then epoxidize the unsaturated fatty ester with a per-acid.

0012An example of preparing an epoxide of a fatty acid methyl ester begins with soy oil, wherein the soy oil is transesterified with methanol to make the methyl ester of the fatty acids in the oil. Glycerol is removed from the reaction products due to insolubility. A solution of per acetic acid in ethyl acetate is used to epoxidize the double bonds on the fatty acids. The per-acid is kept below 35% per acid and 35 degrees Celsius to prevent detonation. After completion, the ethyl acetate and product acetic acid are removed via vacuum stripping.

0013When formulated with the polymer, the primary plasticizer is present in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 60 parts per hundred rubber.

0014Suitable secondary plasticizers include any plasticizer having a vapor pressure lower than that of the epoxidized fatty acid ester. For example, when the epoxidized fatty acid ester is an epoxide of a fatty acid methyl ester, a suitable secondary plasticizer is preferably epoxidized soy oil. Secondary plasticizers include epoxidized soy oil, epoxidized linseed oil, and epoxides of other vegetable oils as well as conventional plasticizers such as chlorinated hydrocarbons, trimelitates, and phosphate-based plasticizers. Notably, when flame retardancy is desirable, a phosphate plasticizer is suitable.

0015The secondary plasticizer is not a phthalate. As such the replacement placement system is phthalate-free.

0016When formulated with the polymer, the second plasticizer is present in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 60 parts per hundred rubber. Preferably, the primary and secondary plasticizers are present in a 1:1 ratio.

0017Suitable polymers for using the replacement plasticizer system of the present invention include halogenated polymers, acid-functionalized polymers, anhydride-functionalized polymers, and nitrile rubbers. Preferably, the polymer is a halogenated polymer. More preferably, the halogenated polymer is a PVC polymer selected from the group consisting of PVC homopolymers, PVC copolymers, polyvinyl dichlorides (PVDC), and polymers of vinylchloride with vinyl, acrylic and other co-monomers. Examples of other suitable halogenated polymers are chlorinated polyolefins and chlorinated rubbers.

0018Suitable acid-functionalized polymers include acrylic-acid functionalized polymers. Notably, the system is also useful with acrylic and other polymers that require plasticizers to reduce glass transitions or improve toughness.

0019The formulation may further comprise fillers, pigments, metal ion containing stabilizers, UV stabilizers, lubricants, metal soaps, oxides of stabilizers, additional plasticizers, and processing aids.

EXAMPLES

0020The following non-limiting examples illustrate the invention.

Example 1 and Comparative Example 2

0021A simplified PVC wire insulation formulation was produced with a primary and a secondary plasticizer. The PVC used was Oxychem 240F polyvinyl chloride homopolymer, having a K Value of 70. The calcium carbonate was obtained from Huber Materials. The dibutyl tin dilaurate (DBTDL) was obtained from Arkema. The epoxidized soy oil was obtained from Ferro Corp.

0022The comparative example was prepared using di isodecyl phthalate (DIDP), a conventional plasticizer, as the primary plasticizer and was obtained from VWR International. The example of the present invention was prepared with epoxidized biodiesel as the primary plasticizer.

0023The amount of each component is shown based on parts per hundred rubber (phr).

0024The target glass transition temperature (Tg) was 40-50 degrees Celsius. <tables id="tabl0001" num="0001"><table frame="all"><title>TABLE 1</title><tgroup cols="3"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="34mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="33mm" /><colspec colnum="3" colname="col3" colwidth="31mm" /><thead><row><entry valign="top"><b>Component</b></entry><entry align="center" valign="top"><b>Example 1</b></entry><entry align="center" valign="top"><b>Comp. Ex. 2</b></entry></row></thead><tbody><row><entry>PVC</entry><entry align="center">100</entry><entry align="center">100</entry></row><row><entry>DIDP</entry><entry align="center" /><entry align="center">40</entry></row><row><entry>epoxidized biodiesel</entry><entry align="center">28</entry><entry align="center" /></row><row><entry>CaCO₃</entry><entry align="center">10</entry><entry align="center">10</entry></row><row><entry>DBTDL</entry><entry align="center">4</entry><entry align="center">4</entry></row><row><entry>Epoxidized soy oil</entry><entry align="center">2</entry><entry align="center">2</entry></row></tbody></tgroup><tgroup cols="3"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="34mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="33mm" /><colspec colnum="3" colname="col3" colwidth="31mm" /><thead><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col3" align="center" valign="top"><b>Physical Properties</b></entry></row></thead><tbody><row><entry>Tg</entry><entry align="center">42 degrees Celsius</entry><entry align="center">42 degrees Celsius</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>

Example 3 and Comparative Example 4

0025A simplified PVC electrical cable jacket formulation was produced. The PVC was Oxychem 240F polyvinyl chloride homopolymer, having a K Value of 70. The calcium carbonate was obtained from Huber Materials. A Zn/Ca stabilizer was obtained as MARK™ 6797 Zn/Ca stabilizer from Chemtura Corporation. The antioxidant was IRGANOX™ 1076 monofunctianal hindered phenolic antioxidant available from Ciba Corporation. The epoxidized soy oil was obtained from Ferro Corp. The amount of each component is shown based on parts per hundred rubber (phr).

0026For the aging evaluation, the test specimen of each formulation was subjected to 100 degrees Celsius for 10 days. To achieve desired industry performance, a minimum of 65% retention of the initial elongation is required. <tables id="tabl0002" num="0002"><table frame="all"><title>TABLE 2</title><tgroup cols="3"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="37mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="20mm" /><colspec colnum="3" colname="col3" colwidth="22mm" /><thead><row><entry valign="top"><b>Component</b></entry><entry align="center" valign="top"><b>Example 3</b></entry><entry align="center" valign="top"><b>Comp. Ex. 4</b></entry></row></thead><tbody><row><entry>PVC</entry><entry align="char" char="." charoff="27">100</entry><entry align="char" char="." charoff="25">100</entry></row><row><entry>epoxidized biodiesel</entry><entry align="char" char="." charoff="27">27.5</entry><entry align="char" char="." charoff="25">55</entry></row><row><entry>epoxidized soy oil</entry><entry align="char" char="." charoff="27">27.5</entry><entry align="char" char="." charoff="25" /></row><row><entry>CaCO₃</entry><entry align="char" char="." charoff="27">68</entry><entry align="char" char="." charoff="25">68</entry></row><row><entry>Zn/Ca stabilizer</entry><entry align="char" char="." charoff="27">2.5</entry><entry align="char" char="." charoff="25">2.5</entry></row><row><entry>Antioxidant</entry><entry align="char" char="." charoff="27">0.05</entry><entry align="char" char="." charoff="25">0.05</entry></row></tbody></tgroup><tgroup cols="3"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="37mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="20mm" /><colspec colnum="3" colname="col3" colwidth="22mm" /><thead><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col3" align="center" valign="top"><b>Physical Properties</b></entry></row></thead><tbody><row><entry>Shore A</entry><entry align="center">85</entry><entry align="center">75</entry></row><row><entry>Strain at Break (initial)</entry><entry align="center">260%</entry><entry align="center">400%</entry></row><row><entry>Strain at Break (aged)</entry><entry align="center">180%</entry><entry align="center">200%</entry></row><row><entry>% Elongation Retained</entry><entry align="center">73%</entry><entry align="center">50%</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>