At its core, a plasticizer is a substance added to a material to increase its plasticity or fluidity. In most cases, plasticizers are used with polymers, particularly polyvinyl chloride (PVC), to enhance their mechanical properties. PVC, in its rigid form, is brittle and can break under stress. When plasticizers are incorporated, they reduce the glass transition temperature of the material, enabling it to become more flexible and easier to process. This transformation is particularly valuable in applications where flexibility is essential, such as in cables, vinyl flooring, and synthetic leather.
- Prebiotics Unlike probiotics, prebiotics are non-digestible fibers that feed the beneficial bacteria in your gut. By promoting the growth of these good bacteria, prebiotics enhance gut health and improve digestion.
Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients are the biologically active components in a medication that produce its intended therapeutic effects. While a drug may contain multiple ingredients, the API is the specific substance that delivers the desired health outcome. For instance, in a pain relief medication, the API might be acetaminophen, which interacts with the body to alleviate pain.
On the other hand, HALS are a unique class of stabilizers that work by scavenging free radicals generated during the photodegradation process. By trapping these free radicals, HALS significantly slow down the degradation of the polymer chains, preserving the mechanical properties of the plastic. This mechanism allows HALS to be effective even in small concentrations, making them a popular choice in various applications.
light stabilizers for plastics