Enhancing the performance of flexible vinyl by using the formulary approach

Each vinyl plastisol processor has different requirements. The features of the finished goods determine the specifications and physical properties that are critical in the manufacturing process. Processors may also have varying equipment limitations that require a specific working range of each plastisol property, such as viscosity, for acceptable processing. Although the benzoate esters have been utilized for many years by plastisol formulators and processors to their advantage, usage of these esters has been limited because of their tendency to yield high-viscosity plastisols. By utilizing a formulary approach, it is possible to fine-tune the properties of the plastisol, thus allowing greater latitude. Design of experiment (DOE) was employed to accomplish this objective. For this work, generic resilient-flooring formulations were selected as the model. The formulary approach was employed to adjust the formulation and processing parameters, thereby allowing plastisol formulators and processors to develop cost-efficient formulations. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 13:201–205, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers