Influence of plasticizer molecular weight on plasticizer retention in PVC geomembranes

Plasticizers can migrate from PVC geomembranes over time because of contact with air, liquid, and/or an absorbent solid material. Plasticizer migration can reduce the flexibility of PVC geomembranes, resulting in brittle behavior. This paper discusses the three mechanisms of plasticizer migration and the factors influencing these mechanisms, such as plasticizer molecular weight and linearity of the plasticizer.