Application performance of bio-based plasticizer for PVC automotive interior material

Abstract The study aims to search for green, non-toxic bio-based plasticizers to replace traditional o-benzene petroleum-based plasticizers used in polyvinyl chloride films for automotive interior decoration. Three bio-based plasticizers – epoxy, polyester, and citrate were chosen and characterized based on refractive index, viscosity, and plasticizing efficiency. The three types of bio-based plasticizers were then applied to PVC films for automotive interiors. The odor rating, emission properties test, tensile test, dynamic thermomechanical test, low-temperature fatigue resistance test, and heat performance test were used to characterize the polyvinyl chloride film’s application properties. The results showed that the properties of epoxy plasticizer and polyester plasticizer are very close to those of traditional o-benzene petroleum-based plasticizers. In particular, polyvinyl chloride films prepared from polyester plasticizers have advantages in mechanical properties. The strength, elongation, and elasticity characteristics of PVC films plasticized with polyester bio-based plasticizer are 8.77 MPa, 533.92%, and 129.74 Nm, respectively. While the PVC films plasticized with epoxy bio-based plasticizer has an excellent heat resistance and aging resistance, with an initial gel temperature of 185.668 °C. However, the polyvinyl chloride film prepared with citrate plasticizer does not meet the requirements for application in automotive interiors due to its poor emission performance.