Surface Structural Characterization of Antiblock Films Containing Eurucamide, 2003 European PLACE Conference Proceedings

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Antiblocking efficiency of mineral additives in Polyethylene film has long been associated to the performance of the particles relative to their size, distribution, placement in the film, and optical performance. The effectiveness of the antiblock is directly related to the roughness they impart on the film while minimizing loss in optical properties. New hybrid clarity antiblocks provide the necessary roughness and optical quality required in today’s high clarity films when compared to alternative synthetic and natural silica.

Erucamide is added to improve film slip. Erucamide does not act as an organic antiblock, but works in harmony with antiblocks especially talc, as it aids in the migration process to the surface. Because of the high surface area and pore volume with synthetic silica, amides work less efficiently in this combination.

Polyethylene films containing antiblock mineral additives and 1000 ppm erucamide were characterized with the Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and Scanning White Light Interference Microscope (SWLIM). The AFM and SWLIM provide quantitative surface topography data that is used to compare the roughness and surface morphology among LLDPE films containing several types of mineral antiblocks. AFM phase yields information about the film chemical differences supported by surface analysis.