An Experimental Design Approach: Effect of Slip and Antiblocking Agents on the Performance of an LLDPE Polymer

Abstract

In this study we have evaluated both synthetic amorphous silica and naturally occurring crystalline silica as antiblocking agents in presence of a slip additive to assess their effectiveness on the performance of an octene based linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) copolymer. A series of formulations were prepared with three different antiblocking agents along with a slip additive. The slip agent “erucamide” was added to the formulations at five different concentrations, resulting in a total of 35 formulations. The film properties including%haze, yellowness index, coefficient of friction, and blocking force were measured. An experimental design approach was employed to determine the effect of slip and antiblock additives on the blocking force using selected formulations. The main contributing factor in reducing blocking was attributed to the antiblocking agents, with Superfloss^TM (a high crystalline silica) being most effective. However, it resulted in lower clarity films. The synthetic silica type antiblocking agents maintained a balance between clarity and blocking force, thus showing promise in high clarity film applications.