noun
- chemical substances added to materials (especially plastics) to make them more flexible, workable, or resilient
Usage: technical; chemistry
Examples
- The manufacturer added plasticizers to make the vinyl more pliable.
- Some plasticizers can leach out of plastic products over time.
- Phthalates are commonly used plasticizers in many consumer goods.
- The new formula uses safer plasticizers that are less toxic.
- Without plasticizers, the plastic would be too brittle for this application.
- Researchers are developing bio-based plasticizers as alternatives to traditional ones.