Improved Barrier Properties with Metallized Films from Corona Process Improvements and from Copolymer Characteristics

Abstract

Vastly improved film surface tension values were achieved using elevated corona treater roll temperatures in the production of BOPP film with a coextruded skin layer designed for subsequent metallization. These film surface tension values did not significantly decrease with time. A new propylene/butene-1 copolymer was coextruded as the metallizing layer in the BOPP film construction. When metallized, this film provided improved barrier to water vapor transmission by a factor of 5:1 when compared to a similar film produced with a propylene/ethylene copolymer as the metallizing layer. Stringent analysis of the surface of the propylene/butene copolymer revealed that the unique smoothness of its surface enhanced the barrier properties of the film after metallizing. The surface of the ethylene/propylene copolymer was much rougher.

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References

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