Diisononyl Phthalate Overview

Diisononyl Phthalate (DINP) C6H4(COOC9H19)2, is a clear, colorless, and almost odorless liquid chemical. It is soluble in most organic solvents. DINP is primarily used as a PVC plasticizer. As compared to DOP, the low volatility and better endurability of DINP significantly reduces the fume emissions during the processing procedure and improves its permanence in the final product.

DINP is a mixture of isomers that have alkyl chains from 7 to 9 carbons long, but the largest portion of the mixture have chains composed of 8-carbon in length (a.k.a. isononyl alcohol).

DINP is a general purpose plasticizer with a broad range of applications used in flexible PVC. It is widely used in the toy, construction, and general consumer product markets. It has limited use in food packaging and is not used in medical applications.

Plasticizer Overview
Plasticizers are polymer additives that serve to increase the polymer's flexibility, elongation and ease of processing. In other words, they make the polymer more workable. In technical terms, the addition of a plasticizer generally causes a reduction in the cohesive intermolecular forces along polymer chains. The chains can then move more freely relative to one another, hence reducing the stiffness of the polymer.

The use of plasticizers began in the mid 1860s when castor oil was added to Cellulose Nitrate. The most commonly measured physical effects include melt viscosity, elasticity modulus, and the glass transition temperature. Other types of plasticizers have been used through the years, but in the late 1930s, phthalates were introduced because they were believed to be less toxic. The two most common plasticizers used today are di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and di-isononyl phthalate (DINP). Both of which are generally used in the manufacture of PVC related products.

The Phthalate Plasticizer Market
In 1999, the global volume of plasticizers was approximately 10 billion lbs., or about $5 billion, The market has had an average yearly growth rate of 2-3 percent.

Of these plasticizers, standard phthalate esters comprise over 85 percent of the tonnage produced every year. Phthalates command the market due to their low cost, ease of use and availability. Other common plasticizers include adipates, polymerics and trimellitates.

Over 90 percent of plasticizer volume goes into flexible PVC applications. Plasticized PVC polymer is found in a wide variety of products including food packaging, construction materials, toys, and medical devices. Yet PVC in its "true" form is a hard, brittle polymer used in PVC pipe for the construction industry.

About Diisononyl Phthalate

Vestinol® 9 DINP is a phthalate ester used mainly as a plasticizer. Plasticizers are substances added to plastics to increase their flexibility, transparency, durability, and longevity. They are primarily used to soften polyvinyl chloride. 


History

The development of cellulose nitrate in 1846 led to the manufacture of castor oil which was patented in 1856 for use as the first plasticizer. In 1870, camphor became fhe more favored plasticizer for cellulose nitrate. Phthalates were first introduced in the 1920s and quickly replaced the volatile and odorous camphor. In 1931, the commercial availability of polyvinyl chloride and the development of di-2-ehthylhexyl phthalate began the boom of the plasticizer PVC industry, the primary use of Diisononyl Phthalate, commonly referred to as DINP.



Properties

Phthalate esters are the dialkyl esters of phthalic acid. The name phthalate is derived from phthalic acid, which itself is derived from the word "naphthalene." When added to plastics, phthalates allow the long molecules to slide against one another. The phthalates have a clear liquid consistency and show low water solubility, low oil solubility and low volatility. The polar carboxyl group contributes little to the physical properties of the phthalates, except when R and R' are very small short chain moieties, such as ethyl or methyl groups. Phthalate esters are colorless, odorless, liquids produced by reacting phthalic anhydride with an appropriate alcohol (usually 6 to 13 carbon atoms in length).

Applications using Diisononyl Phthalate

Phthalates in general are used in a large variety of products, from enteric coatings of pharmaceutical pills and nutritional supplements to viscosity control agents, gelling agents, film formers, stabilizers, dispersants, lubricants, binders, emulsifuying agents, and suspending agents. End applications include adhesives and glues, agricultural adjuvants, building materials, personal care products, children's toys, modeling clay, waxes, paints, printing inks and coatings, as well as textiles.

Specifically, approximately 95 percent of DINP produced is used in PVC as a plasticiser. More than half of the remaining 5 percent is used in the production of polymers other than PVC (e.g. rubber). The remaining DINP is used in non-polymer applications including anti-corrosion paints, anti-fouling paints, lacquers, inks, adhesives and sealants.

Product Specification - Diisononyl Phthalate

Application
The higher molecular weight of DINP brings about less thickening of the plastisol compared with DEHP. This n-butene based low branched grade is noted for achieving a lower viscosity and more pronounced cold flexibility in comparison with customary DINP grades.

Specification

1) Tested frequently, but not batchwise
2) Compiles with Process Capability Index cpk ³ 1

Shipping & Ordering Information

Vestinol® 9 DINP (Diisononyl Phthalate) Plasticizer is available for shipping throughout the continental United States with 1 week lead time. Please call (401) 423-3100 for details. The product is delivered in metal drums by truck and railcar, and bulk tanker trucks.

Contact
The Chemical Company
19 Narragansett Ave.
Post Office Box 436
Jamestown, RI 02835-0436

Telephone: (401) 423-3100
FAX: (401) 423-3102
Robert N. Roach III "Robb"
President
Cell: (401) 864-3111
Email: robb@thechemco.com
 

Material Safety Data Sheet