ANTARES SRL is specialized in trading of plasticizers which are substances that are added to plastics and rubber to facilitate the handling of the raw material during fabrication, to make plastic softer and more flexible.
Plasticizers are most often used in PVC and they are commonly classified based on their chemical composition Phthalate Esters, Trimellitate Esters, Aliphatic dibasic acid Esters, Benzoate Esters, Polyesters, Citrates, Bio-based Plasticizers.
There are two types of plasticizers : the primary plasticizer and the secondary plasticizer or extender. The primary plasticizer improves the softness of the plastic. The secondary plasticizer or extender enhances the compatibility and plasticizing effect of the primary plasticizer.
The most used plasticizers are the phthalates, which are divided into:
They are characterized by the optimal balancing of the selection criteria, suitable for most applications and usable for the most common applications.
There are numerous classes of plasticizing substances: the choice of the substance to be used depends on the polymer to which it must be added and the type of final application to which the plastic matter is destined.
The plasticizer must be chemically inert towards the polymer, to be stable to resist the action of heat and light, it must not easily undergo hydrolysis reactions or oxidation by moisture or environmental oxygen, it must not be flammable.
Often the addition of a plasticizer also serves to make the polymer itself - electrically insulating, odorless and colorless, the latter requirement is essential if the plastic material is intended for the production of transparent films or articles.