Plasticizers are chemicals that make fabrics softer and more elastic. They are mainly used in plastic products to adapt their technical properties to the intended application.
The addition of plasticizers causes plastics to swell. When the volatile plasticizer components evaporate or are dissolved, the base material loses volume.
It also becomes harder, more brittle and can develop cracks. So-called phthalates are used particularly frequently as plasticizers. These are compounds of phthalic acid with various alcohols.