Effect of erucamide and silica loadings on COF behavior of POP multilayer films in repetitive testing

Erucamide is incorporated into polymer films to reduce their coefficient of friction (COF). Such COF reduction is important in packaging lines where the performance of the film in contact with rollers can be governed by the frictional characteristics of the film. This research explores the COF behavior of multilayer films with either polyolefin plastomer (POP) or linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) as the skin layer. Film‐on‐metal COF testing was performed repetitively with the same piece of film to investigate the extent of COF change with the number of runs for cast and blown films. Results showed that the COF of the film increased with the number of runs and plateaued at a higher steady state value. Complementary analysis conducted with atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed that initially erucamide was removed from the film surface exposing the bare polymer film to the metal plate, but as more runs were performed the erucamide crystals were smeared over the film surface re‐covering the previously exposed film surface. Several combinations of slip and antiblock (AB) loadings were used to study their effects on the steady state COF obtained from repetitive testing on blown films. Results showed that the steady state COF decreased with the addition of both slip and AB, except for the lowest chosen loadings of 1250 ppm slip and 3000 ppm AB.     

Optimization of PE/binder/PA extrusion blow‐molded films. II. Adhesion properties improvement using binder/EVA blends

The second part of this series shows that the incorporation of EVA in the tie layer of extrusion blow‐molded three‐layer (PE/binder/PA) improves the adhesion properties, while reducing the film cost by 6% and preserving the performances previously (Part I) obtained by addition of EVA in the PE layer only, such as optimal improved seal ability, optical properties, and satisfactory mechanical properties. The improvement of adhesion between the binder and the PA layers could be related to a modification of the type and the density of the intermolecular interactions between binder, PA, and EVA. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2006     

Effects of preparation conditions on the morphology and gas permeation properties of polyethylene (PE) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) films

In this study, the effect of film preparation conditions on the gas permeation properties of polyethylene (PE) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) films (containing 18 and 28 wt% vinyl acetate) was investigated. Film blowing and phase inversion methods were applied in the production of PE and EVA films, respectively. The permeation of pure oxygen and carbon dioxide gases was measured at room temperature. The results indicated that with the increase of PE film thickness, permeability and solubility of O₂ and CO₂ in these films decreased; but the diffusivities of gases through PE films increased. In addition, in the case of EVA copolymers, by increasing the content of vinyl acetate, the permeability of CO₂ increased. The rate of increase in CO₂ permeability was different for samples having different preparation conditions. For example, the samples prepared using chloroform as the solvent instead of THF, showed lower CO₂ permeability. Also, the morphological studying of film structure indicated that the higher CO₂ permeability for the samples made from THF solvent is due to the existing of higher porosity in the under layer polymer area. Also scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs showed that with the usage of phase inversion method, there will be a thin dense layer near to the glass substrate.     

A correlation between morphology and mechanical performance of injected-molded PE/EVA/clay nanocomposites: Insight into phase miscibility and interfacial phenomena

In this study, the correlations between the mechanical performance and structural properties of injected-molded polyethylene (PE)/ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA)/nanoclay (NC) nanocomposites are investigated by revisiting the interfacial phenomena and miscibility state of the component pairs. The effects of different parameters including the injection molding temperature, mixing sequence in melt-compounding process, blend composition, and nanoclay loading are studied. A great complexity arises in the filling and cooling process of the injected-molded parts owing to the phase behavior of the polyolefin blend, crystallization, and morphological changes. The injection molding temperature positively influences the elastic modulus, tensile strength and impact strength of PE/EVA/NC systems through the improvements in the PE/EVA partial miscibility, mutual solubility, and interfacial interactions of PE/clay and PE/EVA pairs. By applying a two-step mixing process before the injection molding, more nanoclay stacks with smaller thicknesses and larger clay interlayer spacing are formed. The stronger pinning effect of nanoparticles in the second mixing sequence retards the phase separation phenomenon of PE/EVA blend during the cooling stage. As a result of improved mutual PE/EVA solubility, the elastic modulus and tensile strength decrease and the impact resistance increases in the PE-rich systems. On the other hand, an opposite trend for these properties is found for the EVA-rich systems.     

Optimization of PE/Binder/PA extrusion blow‐molded films. I. Heat sealing ability improvement using PE/EVA blends

The optimization of three‐layer films (PE/binder/PA) manufactured by extrusion blow molding presents significant industrial challenges. The main issue consists in combining use properties (e.g., impermeability to water steam and oxygen, welding properties) with high mechanical, optical, and adhesion performances, while maintaining cost‐effectiveness. This article shows that the introduction of EVA in the PE layer improves the heat sealing ability and optical properties without degradation of the mechanical and adhesion performances. In the most favorable case, this modification leads to a 40% reduction of the heat sealing time, the other performances remaining either identical or higher. This leads to cost reduction of this manufacturing step while improving the flexibility of the process (wider process temperature window). The properties modifications observed can be explained by microstructure modifications (crystallinity, orientation, and molecular mobility). © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 99: 974–985, 2006     

EVA改性硅烷交联聚乙烯绝缘料

使用乙烯-乙酸乙烯共聚物(EVA)对硅烷交联聚乙烯电力电缆绝缘料进行了改性。结果表明,EVA对绝缘料的熔体流动速率(MFR)、介电强度、热延伸性能影响较小,使其介电常数、热稳定性提高,体积电阻率、结晶度、交联度、拉伸强度下降。EVA的添加量在10phr之内,绝缘料的MFR、介电强度、热延伸性能、断裂伸长率、体积电阻率、交联度满足技术指标要求;EVA的添加量超过6phr时,绝缘料的拉伸强度和介电常数不能满足要求。     

Improvement of adhesion between poly(ethylene terephthalate) and polyethylene

Three-layer films were prepared with polyethylene (PE) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) films as the outer layers and a film of high-density polyethylene (HDPE)/ethylene-methyl acrylate-glycidyl methacrylate (E-MA-GMA) terpolymer blend as the inner layer using compression molding. E-MA-GMA, an elastomer containing an epoxy functional group, was used as the adhesion promoting agent in the multilayer films. The effects of processing temperature, pressure application time and elastomer concentration on adhesion were investigated. The adhesion strength between PE and PET films increased with increasing bonding temperature, bonding time and elastomer concentration. From contact angle measurements, it was observed that the work of adhesion between the polymers increased with increasing amount of elastomer. Improved adhesion between PET and HDPE with 30% elastomer films was confirmed by SEM analyses of the film layers. Using FT-IR analysis of PE/HDPE-30% elastomer/PET delaminated film, the decrease in peak intensity of the epoxy groups tends to indicate reaction of epoxy functionality with functional groups in PET.     

硅酸镁对膨胀型阻燃PE/EVA炭层的影响

将超支化三嗪化合物与多聚磷酸铵构成的膨胀型阻燃剂,用于制备阻燃PE/EVA体系。通过锥形量热仪、TG、FTIR、SEM及X射线衍射能谱等分析,考察了硅酸镁对PE/EVA体系阻燃性能及炭层结构的影响。结果表明,2%的硅酸镁能有效促进成炭过程,提高阻燃性能且无熔滴。与未添加硅酸镁相比,燃烧过程延长,燃烧残余率增大,而且炭层更加致密,氧指数由35%提高到38.5%。此外,硅酸镁的加入对体系的力学性能没有明显影响。     

Monitoring of the discoloration on γ‐irradiated PE and EVA films to evaluate antioxidant stability

γ‐Irradiated films could provoke unexpected interaction with proteins for instance just after irradiation and not necessarily after 12 months indicating there is no more reactive species. The optical properties of two multilayer films [polyethylene (PE)/ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH)/PE and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)/EVOH/EVA] after different γ‐irradiation doses is then studied in this work. The investigation on these films, either non‐irradiated or γ‐irradiated (up to 270 kGy), is performed by colorimetry measurement over time (up to 12 months) to assess the generation of new species inside the materials. The color change is directly correlated with absorbed γ‐doses. Over time, the color decreases and goes back to its initial time level. This discoloration evolution could be therefore used as an indication of the completion of the generated species reactions induced by γ‐irradiation. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46114.     

PC／PE共混物的流变行为研究

考察了聚碳酸酯/聚乙烯(PC/PE)共混物的流变行为。研究发现PE的加入可使共混体系的粘流活化能降低,流动性增加;在PC/PE共混物中加入乙烯-醋酸乙烯酯共聚物(EVA)可改善PC与PE的相容性,提高其力学性能。     

Modification of properties of CaCO3‐polymerization‐filled polyethylene

CaCO₃–polyethylene (PE) compositions, containing an ultrahigh molecular polyethylene (UHMPE) interlayer between the filler surface and the PE matrix, were synthesized by two‐step polymerization of ethylene on a filler surface activated with a suitable catalyst. The properties of the compositions were studied depending on the molecular weight of the PE matrix and the thickness of the UHMPE intermediate layer at the filler particles. It was shown that the presence of UHMPE as an interlayer in chalk–UHMPE–PE compositions leads to an increase of plastic deformation of the materials as long as the M_w value of the PE matrix is higher than is the brittleness threshold for PE. Chalk–UHMPE–PE compositions exhibit a higher ability for plastic deformation compared to chalk–PE compositions based on a PE matrix of a molecular weight equal to the molecular weight of the total polymer phase (UHMPE–PE) in the first case. There is no improvment of the mechanical properties when the UHMPE is dispersed in the compositions and not as an interlayer between a filler and a matrix. This means that the method of polymerization filling allows one to incorporate the polymer interlayer with a desired nature and properties between a filler surface and polymer matrix in filled polyolefin compositions. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 577–583, 2003     

Thermal and mechanical properties of uncrosslinked and chemically crosslinked polyethylene/ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer blends

Uncrosslinked and chemically crosslinked binary blends of low‐ and high‐density polyethylene (PE), with ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), were prepared by a melt‐mixing process using 0–3 wt % tert‐butyl cumyl peroxide (BCUP). The uncrosslinked blends revealed two distinct unchanged melting peaks corresponding to the individual components of the blends, but with a reduced overall degree of crystallinity. The crosslinking further reduced crystallinity, but enhanced compatibility between EVA and polyethylene, with LDPE being more compatible than HDPE. Blended with 20 wt % EVA, the EVA melting peak was almost disappeared after the addition of BCUP, and only the corresponding PE melting point was observed at a lowered temperature. But blended with 40% EVA, two peaks still existed with a slight shift toward lower temperatures. Changes of mechanical properties with blending ratio, crosslinking, and temperature had been dominated by the extent of crystallinity, crosslinking degree, and morphology of the blend. A good correlation was observed between elongation‐at‐break and morphological properties. The blends with higher level of compatibility showed less deviation from the additive rule of mixtures. The deviation became more pronounced for HDPE/EVA blends in the phase inversion region, while an opposite trend was observed for LDPE/EVA blends with co‐continuous morphology. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 3261–3270, 2007     

塑料薄膜材料在微藻培养环境中的稳定性和生物附着行为

考察了6种薄膜材料在次氯酸钠(NaClO)溶液、HCl溶液(pH=2)和NaOH溶液(pH=12)中的稳定性及其在普通小球藻培养体系中的生物附着行为。结果表明,聚氯乙烯(PVC)在3种溶液中浸泡后420 nm处的透光率下降约50%,聚氨酯(PU)在NaClO溶液中、乙烯?醋酸乙烯酯(EVA)在NaOH溶液中浸泡后420 nm处的透光率下降10%?15%,聚乙烯(PE)、聚丙烯(PP)和聚对苯二甲酸乙二醇酯(PET)在3种溶液中浸泡后的透光率没有明显变化;6种薄膜材料在普通小球藻培养体系中均有微藻明显附着,浸泡7 d后透光率明显下降,其中PVC表面附着最严重,浸泡7 d后透光率接近0,附着物量随浸泡时间延长而增加,浸泡45 d后达3069 ?g/cm2;其它5种薄膜表面附着物量先增加后降低,PU和EVA在第15 d时、PE, PP和PET在第30 d时附着物量最大,分别为292, 375, 292, 194和236 ?g/cm2。     

新型流滴减雾体系的研究及其开发应用

阐明了开发的PE,EVA棚膜用流滴剂复配组分,减雾剂的结构特性及新型滴滴减雾体系,概述了PE／EVA流滴减雾性多功能棚膜的良好应用效果。     

Investigation of oxygen barrier properties of organoclay/HDPE/EVA nanocomposite films prepared using a two-step solution method

In this article, oxygen barrier properties of nanocomposite films composed of organoclay (OC), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer have been investigated. The nanocomposite films whose EVA forms a dominant fraction were prepared using the solution method. The dispersion of the OC in the HDPE/EVA blend was improved through taking two-step procedure in the preparation of nanocomposite. First, the OC and EVA were dissolved in chloroform. Then, the resulting product, after evaporating most of the solvent, along with HDPE was dissolved in xylene. The obtained nanocomposite films underwent a number of tests in order to examine their barrier properties including X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results showed that OC/HDPE/EVA nanocomposites are intercalated and partially exfoliated. Furthermore, from the TEM micrographs, the organoclay experimental aspect ratio was found. Also, the O₂ permeability through the films was evaluated, which showed that adding both OC and HDPE to EVA leads to a remarkable increase in the barrier properties of EVA films. Finally, by using the gas permeation results and existing permeation theories, the organoclay theoretical aspect ratio was predicted. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Photoinduced healing of polyolefin dielectrics enabled by surface plasmon resonance of gold nanoparticles

Dielectrics with the capability to sustain large electric fields and to repair electrical damages rapidly are attracting for advanced insulation systems. Herein we demonstrate, for the first time, polymer blends with a co-continuous structure can heal electrical-breakdown-damage under laser illumination. Polymer blends consisting of polyethylene (PE) and poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA) plus a small amount of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were prepared via a solvent-assisted approach. The co-continuous structure was obtained by controlling the mass ratio of PE/EVA to 50/50 wt %. The PE/EVA blend showed a relatively high dielectric strength of 215 kV mm⁻¹ at room temperature under a direct current electric field. The dielectric strength was slightly reduced to 202 kV mm⁻¹ by incorporating with 0.42 wt % of AuNPs. Importantly, after electrical breakdown, the AuNPs-filled blend films were able to restore their dielectric strength to 80% of the initial values by laser irradiation for seconds. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47158.     

Recycling of mixed plastic fractions: Mechanical properties of multicomponent extruded polyolefin blends using response surface methodology

A software program for experimental design and response surface methodology (RSM) was used to set up and evaluate the effect of modifiers in mixed polyolefin fractions. Sheet extruded blends of low-density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), 2 different high-density polyethylenes (HDPE) and 2 different polypropylenes (PP) were prepared and characterized by tensile tests and tear tests. Ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), a very-low-density polyethylene (VLDPE) and a poly(1-butene) (PB) were used as modifiers at levels up to 20 wt % in order to improve the toughness of PE–PP blends. LLDPE, in which 1-butene is the comonomer, is most compatible with the PPs. The VLDPE generally gives the most substantial gain in tensile strength and tear propagation resistance, and it also has the ability to smooth out effects of variations in the composition of PE–PP mixtures. For HDPE–PP blends, the EVA and PB are also effective modifiers. PB acts as a plasticizer in the PP phase whereas VLDPE forms a separate rubbery phase. The RSM is a valuable tool in, for example, recycling operations, where mixed plastic fractions often appear. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 70: 2381–2390, 1998     

Liquid crystal polymer/polyethylene blends for thin film applications

A series of liquid crystal polymer/polyethylene (LCP/PE) blends have been studied to determine the potential of such a system to produce a high modulus film material which retains fabrication and low temperature characteristics of some current PE films. The subject of liquid crystalline polymer blends has been the focus of significant attention for the last decade due to the novel rheological and mechanical properties of this class of polymers. It has been demonstrated that if an LCP blend is processed under elongational flow conditions, the partially ordered LCP meso-phase intermediate allows the development of an oriented fibrillar morphology which is retained upon solidification. In this study, blown films of blends of 5 and 15% LCP in PE have been produced which show an enhancement in modulus over the neat PE matrix. These results are discussed in terms of processing conditions, LCP reinforcement aspect ratio, fibril diameter, and LCP/PE modulus ratio.     

Stress relaxation in low‐shrink‐force polyolefin films

The morphology and stress relaxation of coextruded five‐layer LLDPE (linear low‐density polyethylene)/EVA (ethylene‐vinyl‐acetate) copolymer films were studied. Increasing VA (vinyl acetate) content in EVA causes a decrease of shrink tension in the films, which can be explained by a decrease in amount of crystallinity. The relaxation time spectrum of the coextruded crosslinked LLDPE/EVA films is similar to the relaxation time spectrum of crosslinked LLDPE film at room temperature. However, at elevated temperatures, an additional peak appears on the spectrum of coextruded film. The cause of this peak is temperature‐ and stress‐induced recrystallization of EVA during the relaxation test. This recrystallization was confirmed with DSC and wide angle X‐ray analysis. Polym. Eng. Sci. 44:1716–1720, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.     

Polymer reprocessing: Properties of polyethylene—polyvinyl chloride mixtures

The increasing tendency to consider waste polymers as suitable stocks for reconversion calls for guidelines as to the processing and end-product behavior of mixtures involving commodity polymers. In the present case, flow and some mechanical properties of mixtures involving low density polyethylene (PE) and filled polyvinyl chloride (PVC) were determined and used as a base-line of comparison with similar properties of multi-component mixtures involving potential compatibilizers for the incompatible matrix pair. Chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer and ELvaloy polymeric plasticizer were the property modifiers selected. Blends were produced by roll-mill, Brabender or Banbury mixing. Flow properties were measured by capillary viscometry and solid-state properties were characterized by stress-strain data and tensile impact performance. Melt viscosities were non-linear functions of blend composition and varied significantly with the choice of compatibiliser, EVA and CPE producing greater benefits of melt strength than did Elvaloy. Elastic moduli, ultimate tensiles and tensile impact data also responded to the presence of compatibiliser, the EVA and CPE again being more effective in upgrading the properties of the incompatible matrix pair than was Elvaloy. Results, while preliminary, suggest guidelines for the composition of PE/PVC stocks with upgraded performance balance.