phthalate ester
Sign in to saveclass=skin-invert-image|thumb|right|General chemical structure of orthophthalates. (R and R' are general placeholders.) Phthalates ( ), or phthalate esters, are esters of phthalic acid. They are mainly used as plasticizers, i.e., substances added to plastics to increase their flexibility, transparency, durability, and longevity. They are used primarily to soften polyvinyl chloride (PVC). While phthalates are commonly used as plasticizers, not all plasticizers are phthalates. The two terms are specific, unique, and not used interchangeably.
Article
27 sectionsContents
- Production
- Uses
- PVC plasticisers
- Non-PVC plasticisers
- Solvent and phlegmatizer
- Other uses
- History
- Properties
- Alternatives
- Occurrence and exposure
- Human exposure
- Food
- Air
- Natural occurrence
- Biodegradation
- Research
- Legal status
- Australia and New Zealand
- Canada
- European Union
- Legislation, additional
- United States
- Identification in plastics
- See also
- References
- Further reading
- External links
class=skin-invert-image|thumb|right|General chemical structure of orthophthalates. (R and R' are general placeholders.) Phthalates ( ), or phthalate esters, are esters of phthalic acid. They are mainly used as plasticizers, i.e., substances added to plastics to increase their flexibility, transparency, durability, and longevity. They are used primarily to soften polyvinyl chloride (PVC). While phthalates are commonly used as plasticizers, not all plasticizers are phthalates. The two terms are specific, unique, and not used interchangeably.
Lower-molecular-weight phthalates are typically replaced in many products in the United States, Canada, and European Union over health concerns. They are being replaced by higher molecular-weight phthalates as well as non-phthalic plasticizers.