The information available today permits to use plasticizers more effectively and to avoid certain plasticizers in applications where they may cause health or material durability problems. Plasticizer incorporation demands a broad background of information because plasticizers are now added to complex mixtures containing variety of materials which may have different reaction to the presence of plasticizers. Plasticizers choice is also not simple because there is a large selection of commercial plasticizers and various environmental issues dictating preferred solutions.

Both aspects considered indicate the need for comprehensive source which, using currently available means of computerized database should provide data and a broad background of theoretical information in condensed form easy to search.

All numerical data are in the form of database, whereas the theoretical component of information is given in the traditional form of a printed book.

Twenty one chapters are included in Handbook of Plasticizers. Only some chapters are discussed here to add more information which may not be obvious from the table of contents.

Data are available for large number of commercial plasticizers. This data is used in Chapter 2 to clarify typical properties of plasticizers which belong to one of the groups and also to give ranges of expected properties from a given group.

Chapters 5, 6 and 7 contain new and historical approaches, which explain mechanisms of plasticizers action and their behavior in plasticized systems. This theoretical background helps to understand practical observations and provides guidance to methods of material improvement. Chapter 9 shows plasticization steps and results of analytical studies which help in understanding these steps and parameters which may control them.

Fourteen Sections of Chapter 10 discuss plasticizer effects on physical and mechanical properties of plasticized materials. These sections are very essential for understanding the behavior of materials and principles of their formulation.

Chapter 11 contains data on 52 groups of polymers. The information is grouped under the following sections - Frequently used plasticizers, Practical concentrations, Main functions performed by plasticizers, Mechanism of plasticizer action, Effect of plasticizers on polymer and other additives, and Typical formulations if existing data permits. Use of such consistent method of data presentation helps to find information quickly and to compare data from various sources and applications.

Similar, Chapter 13 discusses 28 groups of products also according to a similar breakdown including Plasticizer types, Plasticizer concentration, Reasons for plasticizer use, Advantages and disadvantages of plasticizers use, Effect of plasticizers on product properties, Examples of formulations. Both chapters make use of a large number of patents and information in open literature discussing the most current findings and trends.

In Chapter 14 attempts are being made to discuss the following topics: effect of plasticizers on process conditions, processing defects formation and elimination with use of plasticizers, influence of rheological changes on process, equipment maintenance, and energy consumption.

Several chapters which follow discuss various aspects of plasticizer effect on health, safety, and environment. Chapter 17 contains opinions of renowned experts on various aspects of plasticizers effect on health and safety. Chapter 18 contains information on plasticizers persistence in soil and water. Plasticizers releases and their presence in environment are discussed for many important commercial plasticizers.

This short review and the Table of Contents show that this book is the most comprehensive source of current information on plasticizers. Plasticizers are used in so many products that every library should have this reference source of information on plasticizers readily available for its readers.


1 Introduction
1.1 Historical developments
1.2 Expectations from plasticizers
1.3 Definitions
1.4 Classification
References

2 Plasticizer Types
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Characteristic properties of industrial plasticizers
2.2.1 Abietates
2.2.2 Adipates
2.2.3 Alkyl sulfonates
2.2.4 Azelates
2.2.5 Benzoates
2.2.6 Chlorinated paraffins
2.2.7 Citrates
2.2.8 Energetic plasticizers
2.2.9 Epoxides
2.2.10 Glycol ethers and their esters
2.2.11 Glutarates
2.2.12 Hydrocarbon oils
2.2.13 Isobutyrates
2.2.14 Oleates
2.2.15 Pentaerythritol derivatives
2.2.16 Phosphates
2.2.17 Phthalates
2.2.18 Polymeric plasticizers
2.2.18.1 Esters
2.2.18.2 Polybutenes
2.2.19 Ricinoleates
2.2.20 Sebacates
2.2.21 Sulfonamides
2.2.22 Superplasticizers and plasticizers for concrete
2.2.23 Tri- and pyromellitates
2.2.24 Other plasticizers
2.2.24.1 Biphenyl derivatives
2.2.24.2 Calcium stearate
2.2.24.3 Carbon dioxide
2.2.24.4 Difuran diesters
2.2.24.5 Fluorine-containing plasticizers
2.2.24.6 Hydroxybenzoic acid esters
2.2.24.7 Isocyanate adducts
2.2.24.8 Multi-ring aromatic compounds
2.2.24.9 Natural product derivatives
2.2.24.10 Nitriles
2.2.24.11 Siloxane-based plasticizers
2.2.24.12 Tar-based products
2.2.24.13 Thioeters
2.2.24.14 Blends
2.3 Methods of synthesis and their effect on properties of plasticizers
2.4 Reactive plasticizers and internal plasticization
References

3 Methods of Quality Control of Plasticizers
3.1 Abbreviations, terminology, and vocabulary
3.2 Acid number
3.3 Aging studies
3.4 Ash
3.5 Brittleness temperature
3.6 Brookfield viscosity
3.7 Chemical resistance
3.8 Color
3.9 Compatibility
3.10 Compression set
3.11 Concrete additives
3.12 Electrical properties
3.13 Extractable matter
3.14 Flash and fire point
3.15 Fogging
3.16 Fusion
3.17 Gas chromatography
3.18 Hardness
3.19 Infrared analysis of plasticizers
3.20 Kinematic viscosity
3.21 Marking (classification)
3.22 Melt rheology
3.23 Migration
3.24 Poly(vinyl chloride) - standard specification
3.25 Powder-mix time
3.26 Purity
3.27 Refractive index
3.28 Residual contamination
3.29 Sampling
3.30 Saponification value
3.31 Saybolt viscosity
3.32 Sorption of plasticizer
3.33 Specific gravity
3.34 Specification
3.35 Staining
3.36 Stiffness
3.37 Tensile properties
3.38 Thermal expansion coefficient
3.39 Unsaponifiable contents
3.40 Viscosity of plastisols and organosols
3.41 Water concentration
3.42 Weight loss
References

4 Transportation and Storage
4.1 Transportation
4.2 Storage
References

5 Mechanisms of Plasticizers Action
A. Marcilla and M. Beltrn
Chemical Engineering Department, Alicante University, Spain
5.1 Classical theories
5.1.1 The lubricity theory
5.1.2 The gel theory
5.1.3 Moorsheads empirical approach
5.2 The free volume theory
5.2.1 Mathematical models
References

6 Theories of Compatibility
Valery Yu. Senichev and Vasiliy V. Tereshatov
Institute of Technical Chemistry of
Ural Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Perm, Russia
6.1 Compatibility concepts
6.1. 1 Thermodynamic treatment
6.1.2 Interaction parameter
6.1.3 Effect of chemical structure of plasticizers and matrix
6.2 Solubility parameter and the cohesive energy density
6.2.1 Solubility parameter concept
6.2.2 Experimental evaluation of solubility parameters of plasticizers
6.2.3 Methods of experimental evaluation and calculation of solubility parameters
of polymers
6.2.3 The