Plasticization methods have been utilized since antiquity for brittle natural resins and varnishes.
Mass industrial applications were developed at the beginning of the 20th century as greater varities of plastics and rubbers evolved:
* Nitrocellulose
* Cellulosic resins
* Phenolics and other thermosets
* PVC...
The first plasticizers were natural products such as castor oil and camphor. The first synthetic plasticizers were developed in:
* 1912 for the triphenylphosphate and later the tricresylphosphate that is always used.
* 1930 for the diethylhexyl phthalate (also called dioctylphthalate), DEHP or DOP, that is the most consumed.
Oils have been used for a long time for the plasticization of natural rubber and then for the other dienes.
* Natural vegetable oils
* Coal derivates
* Petroleum oils
* Paraffinic oils
* Aromatic oils
* Naphtenic oils.
Various mechanisms are:
* Lubrication theory
* Solvatation theory
* Thermodynamic theory
* Polarity theory.