Slip
additives
for
film
extrusion
Abstract
A description of slip additives is followed by a discussion
of the factors involved in evaluating them for polyolefin
films. Data is provided to show how the activity of several
Introduction
Slip for plastic films is defined as low surface friction
(expressed as Coefficient of Friction, COF) which permits
a layer of film to slide easily over another layer of film or
over machine surfaces in film-fabricating and packing
equipment. To obtain satisfactory slip, most resins require
the incorporation of slip additives, which are derived from
naturally occurring vegetable oils and animal fats.The
selection of the fatty component is influenced by its ability
to reduce the surface friction along with the speed and
stability of this effect, odour and flavour considerations,
colour stability, vegetable vs. animal source and price. The
fatty materials all have an even number of carbon atoms;
some are saturated while others have some unsaturation
(see table 1). Not all of these amides are readily available
for commercial purposes and none are commercially
available in a pure form i.e. with only one fatty
component.
O
NH 2
erucamide (13-cis-docosenamide)
O
NH 2
oleomide (9-cis-octadecenamide)
stearamide (octadecanamide)
NH 2
O
NH 2
behenamide (docosanamide)
Coefficient of friction
Adam Maltby
Plastics Applications
Manager
Croda Universal Ltd
Oak Road Hull
HU6 7PH
United Kingdom
Slip
MFI*
Density
LDPE
LLDPE
PP homopolymer
2
1
8
0.923
0.918
0.905
170
230
220
for
* ASTM D-1238
Polymer film
Sled
film
Figure 2 - Schematic diagram of apparatus used to
measure kinetic co-efficient friction (COF)
The COF measurements were made according to ASTM
D1894, schematically shown in figure 2. Blown film was
tested outside to outside surface, while the PP cast films
were tested airside to airside. Data presented here is for
the kinetic friction value.
additives
extrusion
1.2
0.6
0.5
CoF
CoF
1000 ppm ER
1000 ppm OR
0.4
0.8
0.6
SR
ER
OR
BR
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.2
00
0
0.1
10
Time (hours, log scale)
100
0.1
1000
10
Time (hours, log scale)
100
1000
1.0
1.0
Blank
1800ppm ER
1800ppm OR
0.8
500ppm ER
0.8
1000ppm S2
500ppm ER/
1000ppm S2
0.6
500ppm ER/
300ppm S2
CoF
CoF
0.6
0.4
0.4
0.2
0.2
1000ppm
talc only
500ppm ER/
1000ppm talc
0
0
0
0
0
200
400
Times (hours after extrusion)
600
0.1
10
Time (hours, log scale)
100
1000
Conclusions
1.0
erucamide 500ppm in LDPE
erucamide 1000ppm in LLDPE
erucamide 1800ppm/PP homopolymer
0.8
0.6
CoF
0.4
0.2
0
0.1
10
Time (hours, log scale)
100
1000
References
Certificate no.
FM09277
Croda Universal Ltd
Certificate no.
EMS38741
Croda Universal Ltd
Based on a paper originally presented at the 1996 Polymers, Laminations and Coatings Conference September 8-12, Boston, MA. (c) TAPPI 1996.
Croda Contacts
Europe, Africa, Middle East, Central and
South America
Croda Oleochemicals Polymer Additives
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Tel +44 1482 443181 Fax +44 1482 341792
email sales@croda-universal.com
website www.croda.universal.com
North America
Croda Universal Inc
4014 Walnut Pond Drive
Houston Texas 77059
Tel +1 281 282 0022 Fax +1 281 282 0024
email usasales@croda-universal.com