Executive Summary
Polymeric films are used in a variety of applications for various markets including packaging, food and beverage, industrial, appliance, graphics, electrical and automotive to name a few. Each application requires a unique balance of physical properties, barrier, appearance and cost. One challenge with current film technology is to achieve sufficient properties at lower film thicknesses. Thinner films are often desired for applications where cost or sustainability is a concern, however, as thickness decreases, important properties such as water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) or tear strength may suffer. MSU researchers have developed a nanocomposite film technology that improves mechanical and barrier properties and allows much thinner films to be used for existing applications.
Description of Technology
This technology is a new nanocomposite polymeric film comprised of a thermoplastic polymer matrix, modified organic clay and polymeric compatibilizer. The thermoplastic can be chosen from a variety of common materials including polyolefins, polyacrylates, PLA, polystyrene. The modified organic clay and polymeric compatibilizer may be supplied directly or used as a masterbatch. With the addition of the nanoclay technology, the films have improved mechanical strength yet retain their desired transparency.
Key Benefits
- Enhanced mechanical properties of sub mil thin films
- Improved extensional viscosity and melt processing of blown films
- Exceptional barrier properties (WVTR, oxygen, CO2)
- High transparency and clarity
- Very high extensibility of polypropylene based materials (area stretch ratios up to 50) without breakage, tears, microcracks
- Sustainable. Allows thinner films or rigid structures and does not impact recyclability
Applications
- Improved (thinner, improved barrier, equal mechanical/transparency) biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP)
- Food packaging and labels
- High temperature resistant thin-film plastic sheeting in paint booths.
- Thermoformed products with polypropylene
- Multilayer structures - can replace non recyclable barrier layer
Patent Status:
Granted patent US 10,253,146
References:
Journal of Plastic Film and Sheeting, 2021 "Blown films with balanced in-plane properties from polypropylene-clay nanocomposites though silane coupling"
Composites at Lake Louise, 2019, "Processing and Structure of BOPP Films with Nanoparticle Additives"
SPE Polymer Science and Engineering, 2011, "Extrusion of Linear Polypropylene-Clay Nanocomposite Films"
Licensing Rights Available:
Full licensing rights available.
Inventors:
Dr. Krishnamurthy Jayaraman, Ren Weijie, Rane Rahul,
Tech ID:
TEC2015-0069
