Epoxidized Soybean Oil Overview

TCC's Epoxidized Soybean Oil (ESO) is a non-toxic, clear to yellow liquid that is used as a plasticizer and stabilizer in plastic materials, especially PVC and its copolymers.

ESO is also used as a pigment dispersing agent and acid/mercaptan scavenging agent as well as an epoxy reactive diluent.

Soybean oil is the most readily available and one of the lowest-cost vegetable oils in the world. Epoxidized Soybean Oil is the result of the oxidation of soybean oil with hydrogen peroxide and either acetic or formic acid. ESO is industrially available in large volume at a relatively low price.

Due to its low cost and biodegradability over traditional phthalate plasticizers, ESO is replacing dioctyl phthalate (DOP) in some applications.

TCC's ESO is a cost efficient choice for a variety of applications that also includes functional fluids, flavor and fragrances, sealants, coatings, and special inks.

TCC can deliver ESO with one (1) week lead time in 200 kg drums, totes and bulk containers by rail or tanker truck.

About Epoxidized Soybean Oil

Expoxidized soybean oil (ESO) is a non-toxic clear to yellow liquid that is the result of the oxidation of soybean oil with hydrogen peroxide and either acetic or formic acid. ESO is industrially available in large volume at a low price.

ESO is an epoxidized glycerol fatty ester that is used as a plasticizer and stabilizer in plastic materials. The substance is especially useful in PVC and its copolymers to keep plastics and rubber soft and pliable. The epoxy functionality provides excellent heat and light stability.

The term "epoxide" indicates three-membered cyclic ether in which an oxygen atom is jointed to each of two carbon atoms that are already bonded to each other. The unhindered oxygen atom carries two unshared pairs of electrons, a structure that favors the formation of coordination complexes and the solvation of cations. Because of equilateral triangle strain in this snall ring, epoxides are more reactive than larger ring ethers.

Epoxides undergo reactions such as C—O bond cleavage, nucleophilic addition, hydrolysis and reduction under mild conditions and more rapidly than other ethers. Epoxides are formed by some oxidation reactions of alkenes with peracids.

Applications using Epoxidized Soybean Oil

TCC's Epoxidized Soybean Oil (ESO) is used as a plasticizer and stabilizer in plastic materials, especially PVC and its copolymers to keep these plastics soft and pliable.

The chemical is also used as a pigment dispersing agent and acid/mercaptan scavenging agent as well as an epoxy reactive diluent.

Soybean oil is one of the most readily available and lower-cost vegetable oils in the world. ESO is industrially available in large volume at a relatively low price.

Due to its low cost non-toxic and environmentally friendly properties, as well as its biodegradability over traditional phthalate plasticizers, ESO is replacing dioctyl phthalate (DOP) in some applications.

TCC's ESO is also used as a pigment dispersing agent and acid/mercaptan scavenging agent as well as an epoxy reactive diluent. ESO and other epoxide substances are used as raw materials for various applications that include functional fluids, fuel additives, polyol replacements, agricultural and pharmaceutical molecules, flavor and fragrances, reactive diluents and UV cure applications, surfactants, adhesives, sealants, coatings, and special inks.

Product Specification - Epoxidized Soybean Oil

Product Description
TCC's ESO (Epoxidized Soybean Oil) adds a new dimension to improvements in PVC compounds. High Oxirane oxygen efficiency from specially processed soybean oil produces a total compatibility and stabilization performance that is second to none.

Epoxidized oils have been marketed for over three decades. Early products were deficient due to a high residual iodine value of the finished epoxide which ranged from 20-25. Thought to be a substitute for DOP, they were misapplied resulting in early spew or exudation.

It was discovered over the next few years that to achieve approximately ninety-five percent of the total compatibility potential, the iodine value of 5-7, was a necessity. It was found that below an iodine value of three, no absolute compatibility correlation using artificial or natural exposures could be made due to other variables such as hydroxyl value, viscosity, polymerization effects, and base soybean oil.

TCC's Epoxidized Soybean Oil utilizes only the highest iodine value, lowest saturated soybean oil available in the country. This reduces the probability of randomly high saturated triglycerides which adversely affecting formulation compatibility.

Epoxidized Soybean Oil has been found to be the best value of all stabilizing additives. ESO has been accepted as a standard industry formulation tool, affecting cost reductions and improving performance in heat and light stability. No other additive enjoys such universal acceptance for all types of vinyl compounds.

TCC's Epoxidized Soybean Oil functions as the most effective known synergist to metallic stabilizer compounds in vinyl systems. At the same time, TCC's Epoxidized Soybean Oil functions as a true polymeric type plasticizer by adding flexibility and retarding volatilization, water extraction, and migration due to its high molecular weight.

Packaging
TCC's Epoxidized Soybean Oil is available in 55 gallon (450 lb net) steel drums, bulk tank trucks, bulk rail cars, and totes.

Suggestions for Use

Plasticization of all PVC flexible and semi-flexible compounds.
Heat and light stabilization of all flexible, semi-rigid, and rigid PVC compounds.
Pigment dispersions as an outstanding grinding liquid.
Plate-out resistant compounds requiring high epoxy levels.
Acid acceptance in chlorinated hydrocarbons, phosphoric acid esters, and natural resins.
Plasticization of PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) and PVA (Polyvinyl Acetate) emulsions.
Plasticization of chlorinated rubber, nitrocellulose, and neoprene.
Process improvement in certain rigid compounds.
Acid scavenging in soy based ink compounds.

Applications in PVC Compounds

Floor covering.
Coated fabrics: automotive and furniture upholstery, sporting equipment, wall coverings, clothing and luggage.
Unsupported films.
Pigment dispersions.
Injection molding compounds.
Wire and cable coatings.
Plastisols & Organisols used in molding, dipping, and casting applications.
Extrusions: welting, gasketing, weather strip, beverage tubing, hose.
Foam for padding, seating, automotive and packaging.
Blow molded bottles.
Printed semi-rigid and rigid laminate film.

TCC's Epoxidized Soybean Oil
Typical Physical Properties

Oxirane Oxygen	7.0% Min
Specific Gravity 25°/25°C	0.993
Color - APHA	150 Max
Pounds Per Gallon @ 25°C	8.3
Viscosity Stokes @ 25°C	4.2
Acid Value	0.5 Max
Molecular Weight	1,000
Freeze Point	0°C
Fire Point	315°C
Refractive Index @ 25°C	1.472
Odor	Mild

Product Benefits

Efficient Heat & Light Stabilization
Low Viscosity.
High Detergent Resistance.
Low Volatility.
Improves Processing Speed.
Excellent Pigment Wetting.
Improves Plastisol Viscosity Stability.
Low Styrene & Lacquer Mar.
High oil & Gas Resistance.

Compatibility

Compatible With:
Polyvinyl Chloride
Chlorinated Rubber
Ethyl Cellulose
Nitrocellulose
Polyvinyl Acetate

Partially Compatible With:
Alkyds

Incompatible With:
Cellulose Acetate
Cellulose Acetate Propionate
Polyvinyl Butyral

Solvents

Miscible:
Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Butanol
Esters
Ketones
Plasticizers

Partly Miscible:
Aliphatic Hydrocarbons
Ethanol

Immiscible:
Water

Performance Information @ 50 phr

	TCC	Epoxy A	Epoxy B	DOP
Tensile Strength	2770	2805	2758	2650
Elongation	377	358	380	392
100% Modulus	1587	1690	1577	1450
Tear Strength	505	540	507	452
Durometer Hardness	90	92	90	85
Clash & Berg (Tf=135,000)	-11°C	-9.5°C	-11°C	-23°C
Volatility	0.3	0.3	0.4	4.1
Water Extraction	0.03	0.05	0.04	0.26
Soap Extraction	0.28	0.31	0.33	4.20
Gasoline Extraction	2.2	2.5	2.9	13.6
Mineral Oil Extraction	0.96	0.87	1.26	3.1
Motor Oil Extraction	1.41	1.27	1.59	3.77
Hexane Extraction	2.50	2.35	3.12	16.60
Neoprene Migration	7.1	7.4	8.6	18.6
GRS Migration	6.6	6.5	7.3	19.9
DC Volume Resistivity, Ohm Cm	.8x1013	.85x1013	1.0x10133	1.0x1013
Accelerated UV Hrs to Slight Spew	26	21	17	8

Epoxidized Soybean Oil

Environmental and Safety Information
BEFORE HANDLING THIS MATERIAL, READ AND UNDERSTAND THE MSDS (MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AND FOR SAFETY, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION.

For Environmental, Safety & Toxicology information, contact our Customer Service Department at (800) 446-2800 to request a Material Safety Data Sheet. We believe strongly in Responsible Care as a Public Commitment.

More Technical Information Available
Ask your TCC representative for further information about other additives for use in PVC resins, PVC alloys, and other polymer systems. TCC produces a full line of heat stabilizers, impact modifiers, process aids and epoxidized vegetable oils.

TCC offers complete technical service and assistance. Our laboratories and personnel are ready to assist you in any phase of your evaluation, from formulation development to end product testing.

TCC Epoxy Plasticizers
The TCC line of epoxy plasticizers offers flexible PVC producers the highest quality, dual-function epoxidized vegetable oils available. TCC has the ability to produce material with exacting specifications to meet varied customer requirements.

Shipping & Ordering Information

TCC's Epoxidized Soybean Oil is available for shipping throughout the continental United States with 1 week's lead-time. Please call (401) 423-3100 for details. The product is shipped by bulk rail, bulk tank truck, and in totes.

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

Please email info@thechemco.com for more information.