Poly(ethylene carbonate) as Low Temperature Decomposition and High Oxygen Barrier Packaging Material, 1999 Polymers, Laminations & Coatings Conference Proceedings
Xiaomao Chen, Joseph G. Sant’Angelo, Michael P. Hurley
PAC Polymers Inc.
100 Interchange Blvd., Newark, DE 19711
Poly(ethylene carbonate) (PEC), an amorphous polymer made from alternative copolymerization of ethylene oxide and carbon dioxide, is a high oxygen barrier film material. The oxygen barrier property of PEC is comparable to that of Saran and EVAL, materials that are widely used as oxygen barrier packaging materials. The glass transition temperature of PEC can be tailored in the range of 15 to 25 C. This material offers excellent elasticity, high abrasion resistance and good adhesion to paper. PEC will thermally decompose in air or in non-oxidizing atmospheres with only trace amount of ash formation. Regarding paper stock coated with PEC, PEC will almost completely decompose to ethylene carbonate in certain environments at 140 to 170 C, with no obvious change in the paper substrate itself.
Poly(ethylene carbonate) as Low Temperature Decomposition and High Oxygen Barrier Packaging Material
