Chlorinated Paraffin (Plasticlor) (PLX)

Chlorinated paraffin with chlorine content of 45 – 55% (m/m)

Properties

Clear, pale yellow mobile liquid

Applications

PLASTICLOR® is used widely as a secondary plasticiser in flexible PVC compounds notably cable, footwear, hosing, conveyor belting, coated fabric and profiles. In these applications it can be used to partially replace more expensive primary plasticisers. In compounds with flame-retardant requirements, PLASTICLOR® is used to partially replace more expensive primary flame-retardants.

An important benefit of PLASTICLOR® is its ability to reduce the unit cost of flexible PVC compounds. Correct reformulation with PLASTICLOR® produces PVC compounds with comparable physical properties: – softness or hardness, tensile strength, elongation at break and others, as well as heat aged retention of physical properties.

To achieve correct formulation or re-formulation using PLASTICLOR®, a few basic concepts should be considered:

• Reformulation must be aimed to initially achieve equivalent softness/hardness, which requires knowledge of plasticising efficiency. The plasticising efficiency of selected plasticisers is as follows:
  DOP 1.00
  DINP 1.07
  DIDP 1.11
  PLASTICLOR® P52L 1.50
• Typically, by mass one requires 1,5kg of PLASTICLOR® P52L to achieve the same softness or hardness as 1,00kg of DOP.
• Compatibility of PLASTICLOR® with primary plasticiser in PVC. the term ‘compatibility limit’ refers to the maximum loading of PLASTICLOR® plasticiser that can be incorporated. Generally, the loading of PLASTICLOR® when used with DOP should not exceed 30Phr (Phr = parts per hundred resin; PVC is an example of a resin). In the case of DINP and DIDP the compatibility limit is 20Phr. It is recommended that the loading of primary plasticiser not exceed the loading of PLASTICLOR®.
• The PVC stabiliser level may need to be altered due to the fact that PLASTICLOR®, like PVC, can degrade to dorm hydrochloric acid when exposed to high temperatures.
• In compounds where flame retardant requirements are stipulated, PLASTICLOR® can replace part of primary flame-retardants.
• The density of the compound will increase when reformulating with PLASTICLOR®. This can be countered in filled compounds by adjusting the level of filler.
• Non-compliance, particularly with regards to point 1 and 2, can result in final product failure (for example, cable sheathing or shoe soles). Overloading of PLASTICLOR® will result in its exudation from PVC, causing an increase in hardness or a decrease in softness.Reformulation example:
  

  PLASTICLOR® – free formulation		PLASTICLOR® formulation
  100Phr	PVC	100Phr
  60Phr	DOP	40Phr
  –	PLASTICLOR® P52L	30Phr
  4Phr	Stabiliser	4.8Phr
  50Phr	Filler	44Phr
  5Phr	Flame retardant	3Phr

  Both formulations would have comparable physical properties (softness/hardness, tensile strength, elongation at break) as well as flame retardancy, (such as limiting oxygen index), heat stability and density.

Other Applications

• Increasingly, regulations specify flame resistance in a growing number of applications. The use of PLASTICLOR^® for this purpose is suitable for incorporation into PVC compounds as a range of other compounds and polymers, including polystyrene, polyethylene, polyester resins and natural and synthetic rubbers in products such as conveyor belts, polystyrene foam and glass fibre reinforced polyester.
• Textiles for carpets, carpet backing, tarpaulins and tents can be treated with compositions containing PLASTICLOR^®. A similar benefit is achieved when PLASTICLOR^® is added to paints to induce flame retardancy.
• PLASTICLOR^® is used in lubricants as an extreme pressure additive, where it forms a tenacious film on working parts. In cutting oils it is used as an additive to minimise ‘weld’ formation.
• In paints it is used as a plasticiser for binders and resins.
• It is also used in caulks and sealants.