가소제(plasticizer)란?

가소제(plasticizer)는 플라스틱과 고무 등의 고분자 소재에 첨가되어 소재의 물성을 개선하는 화학 물질입니다. 가소제를 사용함으로써 소재의 유연성, 가공성, 인성, 접착력 등의 특성이 향상되며, 제품의 성능과 가공 과정을 개선할 수 있습니다.

가소제는 주로 폴리비닐 염화물(PVC)과 같은 열가소성 플라스틱에 사용되며, 케이블, 바닥재, 필름, 인장, 고무 제품 등 다양한 분야에서 활용됩니다. 가장 일반적으로 사용되는 가소제로는 플탈레이트 계열 가소제가 있습니다. 그러나 플탈레이트 가소제의 안전성에 대한 우려로 인해 비플탈레이트 계열 가소제의 개발과 사용이 증가하고 있습니다.

가소제의 종류에는 플탈레이트, 아디페이트, 시트르산, 세바케이트 등 다양한 화학 물질이 있으며, 각각의 물질은 소재의 물성과 용도에 따라 선택되어 사용됩니다.
 
Plasticizers are chemicals that are added to polymeric materials, such as plastics and rubber, to improve the material's properties. The use of plasticizers improves properties such as flexibility, processability, toughness, and adhesion, and can improve the performance and processing of a product.

Plasticizers are primarily used in thermoplastics, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and are used in a variety of applications, including cables, flooring, film, tensile, and rubber products. The most commonly used plasticizers are phthalate-based plasticizers; however, concerns about the safety of phthalate plasticizers have led to an increase in the development and use of non-phthalate plasticizers.

There are many different types of plasticizers, including phthalates, adipates, citrates, and sebacates, and each is selected and used based on the material's properties and application.