Plasticizer Migration Vinyl Flooring

When plasticizer migration happens sheet vinyl can soften discolor loosen crack or turn brittle.

Plasticizer migration vinyl flooring. Most vinyl flooring contains plasticizers in order to confer flexibility and traditionally those plasticizers have been made from petroleum based phthalates though in recent years most suppliers. Because plasticizer migration from vinyls to the adhesive bond line can cause problems adhesives selected must be tested for their compatibility with the plasticizer. Landrock in adhesives technology handbook third edition 20156 3 28 polyvinyl chloride pvc solvent cementing is usually used for polyvinyl chloride pvc. Plasticizers can also migrate from one plasticized material to another substrate.

Plasticizer migration can cause flooring tiles to discolor soften or in the worst case scenario slide around as the adhesives dissolve into an oozing mess and stop holding the floor tiles in place. Plasticiser migration plasticisers are used in vinyl flooring products to soften the material and improve its flexibility. Nevertheless migration of plasticizer causes severe variation of the mechanical performance of the end products. The best way to avoid this in sheet vinyl is to prime and seal the sub floor.

When vinyl is made the resin and plasticiser are held together through electromotive forces as a solid solution. Plasticizer migration happens when the pvc found in some flooring tiles or backings reacts with adhesive left over from previous installations. Benzoflex rf 532 is a high solvating plasticizer that may be used in foam clear or wear layers. Incorporation into the wear or clear layers of a construct imparts excellent stain and uv resistance.

They re also used in adhesives to improve tack or stickiness. Heat will accelerate this activity. There are many non reactive floor sealants available that can minimize the effects of a reaction and cover up old adhesive that may trigger them as well. For example plasticizer can and does migrate from vinyl to the adhesive adhering it to a substrate.

Two common plasticisers are mineral oil and hydrocarbon oil. Sina ebnesajjad phd arthur h. There exist important industrial applications such as hoses or plastic windows dealing with closely combining plasticized and rigid poly vinyl chloride. What is plasticizer migration.

This is what is occurring in our example above. Over time the plasticiser chemical in the vinyl migrates out and is absorbed into.