plasticiser
Definition
- Noun:
- A substance added to plastics or other materials to make them more flexible and easier to shape: A plasticiser is a chemical compound that is incorporated into a material, most commonly polymers like PVC (polyvinyl chloride), to increase its plasticity, flexibility, and workability by reducing its brittleness and glass transition temperature.
Usage
- Plasticisers are used industrially to modify the physical properties of rigid materials.
- The word is typically used in technical, chemical, and manufacturing contexts.
- It is a countable noun (e.g., , ).
Examples
- Noun:
- Phthalates are common plasticisers used in vinyl flooring.
- The formula requires a specific plasticiser to achieve the desired softness.
- Health concerns have led to a search for safer plasticisers in children's toys.
Advanced Usage
- "To act as a plasticiser": Describes the function of a substance.
- This additive acts as a plasticiser, allowing the resin to be molded at lower temperatures.
- In a broader chemical sense, substances that soften other materials (e.g., in concrete or paints) can sometimes be described by their plasticising effect, though the term is most specific to polymers.
Variants and Related Words
- Plasticizer (noun): The standard American English spelling. The definition is identical to "plasticiser" (British English).
- Plasticise (verb, British English): To make plastic or mouldable; to treat with a plasticiser.
- The goal is to plasticise the polymer without weakening it.
- Plasticize (verb, American English): The American English spelling of the verb.
Synonyms
- Softener: A more general term for a substance that makes something softer.
- Flexibilizer: A technical term emphasizing the increase in flexibility.
Antonyms
- Stiffener: A substance added to make a material more rigid.
- Hardener: A substance that promotes hardening, often used in resins and coatings.
Related Phrases and Concepts
- Plasticiser migration: The undesirable process where the plasticiser leaches out of the material over time, causing it to become brittle.
- The old vinyl seat cracked due to plasticiser migration.
- Primary plasticiser: A plasticiser that is compatible with the polymer and can be used as the main softening agent.
- Secondary plasticiser: A plasticiser used alongside a primary one to enhance properties or reduce cost.
Noun
-
a substance added to plastics or other materials to make them more pliable
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