Plasticiser loss from plastic or rubber products through diffusion and evaporation

Polymers experience degradation during storage and service. One of the main degradation mechanisms of plasticised-polymer products is the loss of plasticiser, which leads to poorer mechanical properties and eventual contamination of the surrounding environment. This paper addresses the kinetics and predictions of plasticiser migration from polymers to a surrounding gas phase, an important issue for plastic and rubber products exposed to high service temperature conditions and during accelerated ageing and testing. The features and factors influencing the two migration-rate-limiting modes (plasticiser evaporation and diffusion), as well as migration issues related to bio-based plasticisers and plasticiser-biopolymer systems, are discussed