Effect of partial replacement of di(2-ethyl hexyl)phthalate, by a polymeric plasticizer, on the permeability and leaching properties of poly(vinyl chloride)

Abstract

Acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) was used as a polymeric plasticizer in poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) for the partial replacement of di(2-ethyl hexyl)phthalate (DEHP). The effect of this partial replacement on DEHP leaching from the PVC was evaluated at 10, 25, and 40°C. The study shows that the incorporation of NBR reduces the rate of DEHP leaching, the reduction being prominent at lower temperatures. Gas permeability of the NBR-modified samples was also evaluated at the above temperatures using oxygen and carbon dioxide. A reduction in gas permeability is observed in NBR-modified samples compared to the PVC plasticized with DEHP alone particularly in the case of carbon dioxide. Water vapor transmission rates of the NBR-modified samples are higher than that of the control sample. The NBR-modified PVC sample was found to be noncytotoxic in the in vitro cytotoxic evaluation both by direct contact and test on extract methods. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.