The Influence of Polymer Processing Additives on the Surface, Mechanical, and Optical Properties of LLDPE Blown Film

Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) film was blown from both wide and narrow die gaps, with and without two commercial polymer pro cessing additives. Wide die-gap extrusion was used to determine how the physi cal presence of either processing additive affected various mechanical and op tical properties of the resultant films. Narrow die-gap extrusion demonstrated how polymer processing additives can be utilized to improve extrusion param eters and permit production of films with improved properties. Surfaces of all the films were analyzed prior to and after corona treating; there were no effects of either additive on contact angle or surface energy. Monitoring over a one year period showed no evidence of either processing additive nor any differences in element composition on the surfaces of the films.