Plastikletirme

Plastikletirme is a process in polymer science and materials engineering aimed at increasing the flexibility and workability of a polymer by introducing plasticizers or through chemical modification. The term is used in Turkish to describe plasticization, a common approach to reduce brittleness and lower the temperature at which a material can be processed.

Mechanistically, plasticization works by increasing the free volume between polymer chains. Additive molecules, such as plasticizers, insert themselves between chains, reducing intermolecular forces and allowing greater chain mobility. Plasticization can be physical, where additives remain in the material, or chemical, where the polymer is modified to become more pliable. External plasticizers may migrate over time, a phenomenon known as blooming or extraction, which can affect properties and appearance.

Common plastics and plasticizers include polyvinyl chloride (PVC) with phthalate plasticizers, and various alternatives such as adipates or citrates. Regulatory considerations have led to reduced use of certain phthalates in consumer products, encouraging non-phthalate or bio-based plasticizers. Plastikletirme is widely used in packaging, films, cables, flooring, and medical devices to improve processability and performance.

Advantages of plastikletirme include improved elongation, impact resistance, and ease of processing. Drawbacks can include plasticizer migration, odor, reduced thermal stability, and potential health or environmental concerns. Evaluation typically involves differential scanning calorimetry to measure Tg changes, dynamic mechanical analysis, and tensile testing to assess mechanical behavior over time.