3. Main types of plasticizers

3.1 Properties required of the polymer-plasticizer combination

A plasticizer is judged by its qualities, which depend essentially on the intended use of the plastic in which it is incorporated.

In all cases, the following properties are essential:

• excellent plasticizer-polymer compatibility ;

• effective plasticizing action ;

• reasonable permanence so as to maintain the desired properties over the product's lifetime;

• sufficient stability (thermal, oxidative, UV, etc.) to ensure, on the one hand, processing without significant plasticizer decomposition and, on the other, the desired longevity of the plasticized product....