Plasticizers

Another component of rubber mixtures are plasticizers. These are mainly types of mineral oils and esters. Plasticizers influence the properties of the unprocessed mixture (flow behavior) and also affect the properties of the elastomer (cold flexibility). To do this, they shift the thermoelastic range towards low temperatures so that the plastic has the desired elastic properties even in the range of the application temperature.
Plasticizers migrate to the surface of the rubber product until saturation occurs there.

Synonyms: softener