Plasticizer migration in adhesives and coatings for food contact: evaluating new additives

摘要

Plasticizers are an important component in formulators' toolkits, used in applications such as coatings, adhesives, and sealants. The effects of plasticizers can vary - from acting as a coalescent in paint to softening in adhesives or sealants. Some polymer manufacturers suggest copolymer adhesive formulations may not require a plasticizer at all; they are certainly soft enough without one. However, plasticizers do more than soften in a copolymer. Beyond this basic functionality, the plasticizer also tailors the formulation for the end-use environment and provides enhancements in key areas of performance - set and open times, tack, scrub resistance, and more. In waterborne adhesives, formulations based on polyvinyl acetate and various copolymers - all polar polymers - have relied on polar plasticizers (dibenzoates in particular). While formulators relied on certain general purpose plasticizers for many years, a market demand for new plasticizer technologies was created not only by the need to address new applications and upgrade performance, but also to satisfy the requirements of changing regulatory environments.