Based on the static and dynamic mechanical properties of the corresponding blends, the compatibility of six thermoplastic elastomers with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) was investigated. A terpolymer of ethylene, vinyl acetate and carbon monoxide (EVACO) was shown to give the optimal properties for the processing of transparent, soft, PVC-based films. FTIR spectroscopic analysis of EVACO plasticized blends clearly shows that the interactions involve the carbonyl groups of the VA and not of the CO monomer units. The migration phenomenon was studied on PVC based samples plasticized with di-2-ethythexyladipate (DEHA) and EVACO in varying amounts. The overall migration (OM) was monitored by the weight loss percentage of the samples immersed into isooctane at 40degreesC. The specific migrations of DEHA (SMD) and epoxidized soybean oil (SME) were shown to be responsible for the overall migration (OM = SMD + SME). The weight percentages of DEHA and epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) were correlated to the excess of immersion temperature (40degreesC) over the varying glass transition temperature of the samples. The results are explained with respect to the plasticizing effect of the additives and to the permanency of the EVACO-plasticization. (C) 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.