Plasticizer migration from poly(vinyl chloride)

The applicability of well-known empirical equations to the description of t he kinetics of dioctyl phthalate migration from PVC was studied. The validi ty of empirical equations for predicting the plasticizer migration at tempe ratures below the critical one is limited because of a probable change in t he limiting stage of the process. The temperature at which the limiting sta ge of the process changes is determined by the geometry of the sample and t he conditions of its contact with the environment. At room temperature, the limiting stage of dioctyl phthalate migration from PVC films is controlled by the plasticizer volatility through the polymer surface, whereas at incr eased temperatures, this stage is determined by the dioctyl phthalate diffu sion rate in the polymer.