Manufacturing - Plasticizers

Plasticizers are substances of low volatility which are added to lacquers to improve flexibility, tensile strength, gloss, adhesion, thermoplasticity, evaporation of volatile solvents, and the susceptibility to 'Gum Blush'. These are classified as follows:

Solvent types e.g. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and Diisoctyl phthalate (DIOP) and Tricresyl phosphate (TCP).
Non solvent plasticizers like castor oil and blown castor oil.
Sebacates and adipates
Polymeric plasticizers

Choice of plasticizer type depends on characteristics desired in the film i.e. durability, colour retention, flammability and temperature flexibility