Plasticizers for glue and other substances - why is it worth using them?

The construction industry needs to work efficiently all year round. Sometimes outdoor work is carried out at low temperatures and adverse weather conditions.

To ensure that the preparations used retain their functional properties and technical parameters, manufacturers add various substances to them. One of them is plasticizers for glue and other mixtures. Read what plasticizers are and why they are used.

What are plasticizers?

Plasticizers are a family of products whose task is to reduce intermolecular interactions and increase the mobility of polymer chains used in the production of the base substance (e.g. glue, concrete or paint). They consist mainly of esters of alcohols and carboxylic acids.

There are two types of plasticizers depending on whether phthalic acid anhydride is used in their manufacture:

• phthalate - e.g. DEHP, DINP;
• non-phthalate – e.g. DEHT, DEHA.

Plasticizers can be sold in the form of a liquid or powder - in individual sachets or in large plastic packages.

A wide variety of adhesive plasticizers are used in the construction industry. In our offer you will find e.g. ROKOpol D1002 . It is a high quality reactive diol. It is ideal for work at low temperatures. Increases the flexibility of coatings, adhesives and binders.

What are frost glue additives used for?

You certainly know that ordinary adhesives used in masonry or finishing work behave best in a dry environment and at a temperature close to room temperature. The more the ambient conditions deviate from them, the less plastic the mixture is, the faster it sets and the more difficult it is to apply.

You can use the additive to the polystyrene glue for frost when:

• arranging insulation of the building walls, finishing the terrace or covering the plinth of the building from the outside;
• gluing tiles on the terrace;
• other finishing works in the open air.

By lowering the glass transition temperature, the viscosity of the substance increases. As a result, a mixture enriched with a plasticizer can be used in a wider range.

What are the effects of using a frost additive for glue ?

The plasticizer for the glue will cause the applied mass to set more slowly and become more cohesive. Thanks to them, it will also gain the following properties:

• sealing,
• frost resistant.

The use of plasticizers in the glue also allows you to better control the amount of water used to make the mix and use less of it. Joining will be more durable and more resistant to mechanical damage (impacts, chipping).

Plasticizing additives are water-soluble and do not corrode metal elements. They can be used at temperatures from approx. -8 to -10°C, depending on the product.

What to look for when choosing a plasticizer for glue ?

In stores specializing in servicing construction companies, you will find many types of plasticizers. How to choose the right one?

Evaluate at what temperatures the adhesive can be used after adding the flexibiliser. Choose the one that suits your needs and prevailing weather conditions. The wider the temperature range offered by the plasticizer, the higher its price, but the greater its effectiveness.

Products that allow you to work even at a temperature of several degrees Celsius will take longer to dry at higher temperatures. Take this into account when planning work!

The plasticizer for the glue should also be efficient. This parameter is defined as the ratio of the amount of additive to the total weight of the substance.

Also adjust the size of the packaging to the scope of work. There is no point in buying a 10-kilogram bag of plasticizer if you need to lay two rows of tiles. In such a situation, a small bottle or several sachets of the substance will be a much more economical solution. On the other hand, for large works, you will save by buying large packages.

Where else are plasticizers used?

Winter plasticizer for glue reduces the risk of damage at the point of connection of elements. Substances from this family, however, have a much wider application.

Plasticizers in varnishing improve the flexibility of the coating and prevent the formation of chips, cracks and scratches. They work well wherever there is a high risk of scratching the painted surface (e.g. car bodies, large sheet metal).

In the production of plastics, plasticizers are used to improve the technical parameters of the product, e.g. its elasticity, flexibility or extensibility. There are e.g. in gaskets and rubber pads. Such a plasticizer is e.g. ROKO or 50B .

In the construction industry, plasticizers for concrete or cement are a common addition. In this case, they are responsible for:

• acceleration or retardation of mass binding;
• increasing water resistance;
• improving resistance to sudden changes in temperature;
• reducing the demand for mixing water, which in turn translates into lower cost of work.

Thanks to plasticizing substances, it is also possible to transport concrete over long distances without the risk of the mixture solidifying. An additive to concrete is, for example, a BGP superplasticizer , which is also suitable for the production of drywall.

Where to buy plasticizers?

Finding the right plasticizer for your glue or other mixture is a tough job, so it's good to have plenty of choice. In popular supermarkets you will find at most a few different products. If you need specialized solutions, check the Distripark warehouse offer and choose from accessories for use in many different industries.

We know that the health or life of many people often depends on the quality of the materials and components used. That is why we offer you only goods from reputable manufacturers that meet the necessary safety standards.

If you have questions about our range or the properties of a specific product, please contact us!

Trust us and see that working with our chemical additives is a real pleasure!