Research Disclosure no longer supports Internet Explorer

Use of non-fluorinated polymer processing aid for polyethylene applications Conventional Ziegler-Natta (ZN) linear low density polyethylene resins (LLDPE) and first generation metallocene catalyzed linear low density polyethylene resins (m-LLDPE) having melt indexes1 (MI) below 1.2 dg/min generally require the addition of a polymer processing aid (PPA) when the reduction or elimination of melt fracture is desired in extrusion processing operations. PPAs are currently employed to control melt fracture in fabrication technologies such as blown film, blow molding, and pipe extrusion. Until recently, the most common and widely accepted polymer processing aids designed for the reduction/elimination of melt fracture have contained fluoropolymers that currently fall in the class of “Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances” (PFAS). These PFAS containing products are being widely restricted due to potential health and environmental issues. Alternative non-fluorinated PPAs have been developed by various additive manufacturers across a broad spectrum of functionalities including polysiloxanes, metal salts of fatty acids, stearamides, polyethylene glycol, boron nitride, polysorbitol esters and blends thereof. A recently commercialized non-PFAS PPA solution based on blends of vegetable lubricants manufactured by Baerlocher (trade names: Baerolub AID 2201, Baerolub AID 2202) have demonstrated the ability to reduce/eliminate melt fracture, minimize die lip build-up, and provide reduction in extruder torque.2 While purposely meeting the technical requirements of a PPA, the non-PFAS formulations produced by Baerlocher also satisfy a broad spectrum of criteria required for the use of said products in film applications that are destined for food contact film applications. After exhaustive screening and multiple evaluations, the Baerlocher products were the only non-PFAS PPAs that satisfied all of the following criteria: ✓ Designed for maximum global foo...