verb
- makes or becomes plastic or pliable; adds a plasticizer to a material to increase its flexibility
Usage: technical; chemistry
Examples
- The chemical plasticizes the rubber to make it more flexible.
- Heat plasticizes the polymer so it can be molded.
- The additive plasticizes the material during manufacturing.
- Cold weather hardens the plastic while warmth plasticizes it.
- The factory plasticizes vinyl to create flexible tubing.
- This compound plasticizes at relatively low temperatures.