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1339929 
Journal Article 
Thermal stabilization and plasticization of poly(vinyl chloride) by ester thiols: Update and current status 
Starnes, WH; Du, B; Kim, S; Zaikov, VG; Ge, XL; Culyba, EK 
2006 
1 
Thermochimica Acta
ISSN: 0040-6031
EISSN: 1872-762X 
ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV 
AMSTERDAM 
442 
1-2 
78-80 
English 
WOS:000236644600016 
Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) is one of the most important
medical plastics. Recently, however, the safety of flexible PVC containing the common
plasticizer, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, has been called into question. Widely used heat
stabilizers for PVC that incorporate toxic heavy metals also have fallen into disfavor. In order
to address these problems, we have synthesized and tested, as potential replacements, several
organic thiols that contain one or more carboxylate ester functions and thus are highly
compatible with the polymer. When introduced into PVC at high loading levels (e.g., 30-35 parts
by weight), the ester thiols are extremely effective as heat stabilizers and also useful as
primary plasticizers. When used at a low loading level (e.g., 3 parts by weight), they still are
excellent heat stabilizers for both plasticized and rigid PVC. Importantly, their high potency is
achieved in the absence of any costabilizers that incorporate heavy metals. Their syntheses are
simple and straightforward, and their odors are not offensive, because their volatilities are
low. Described here are some typical results obtained with this new additive technology, which
was licensed for commercialization in 2005. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. 
poly(vinyl chloride); PVC; thermal stabilizers; plasticizers; thiols 
32nd Annual Meeting of the North-American-Thermal-Analysis-Society 
Williamsburg, VA