If appropriate biodegradable plasticizers are substituted for the conventional non-biodegradable ones, then plastic performance will not be significantly lower.

In our project, we attempted to replace the common toxic PVC plasticizer, di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate with peanut oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil and propylene glycol because they all have hydrophilic properties and have similar organic structures. The three vegetable oils were chosen for the fact that they are all high in polyunsaturated fats. The vegetable oils are samples of possible organic and natural vegetable oil plasticizers, and propylene glycol a biodegradable but synthetically produced one.

Di(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate

Propylene Glycol

Palmitic Acid

Oleic Acid

Linoleic Acid

Stearic Acid

Dependent Variable:
• Plastic performance (clarity, flexibility, and compression) of PVC film cast with varying weight-ratio of plasticizer

Independent Variable:
• Percent by weight of plasticizer used

Variables Attempted to Control:
• Sterilized vials were used
• Pipettes were used to accurately measure volumes of liquids
• All 5 plasticizers were added in equal ratios
• All films were stored and produced in the same environment
• Tests were all done on the same day and by the same person