Thomas I. Butler

A Blown Film Comparison Between Conventional Lldpe and Pop Polymers

The introduction of a new family of substantially linear poly olefin copolymers made using the Insite* technology process and marketed under the Affinity* Polyolefin Plastomer (POP) tradename offers polymers with different structure-fabrication-property relationships compared to conven tional linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) polymers. The objective of this paper is to compare the blown fabrication characteristics of a constrained ge ometry catalyst technology (CGCT) polymer to a conventional LLDPE polymer with the similar melt index and density.

Blown Film Bubble Forming and Quenching Effects On Film Properties

The blown film process is a complex manufacturing process in which film properties are found to be greatly influenced by the fabrication vari ables from which the film was produced. This article will focus on the control of these variables to demonstrate the methods of process control used for op timization of film properties for a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE). The influences of crystallinity and orientation of polymer molecules must be correlated to fabrication variables to provide insight as to why the film proper ties vary.

The Influence of Extruder Residence Time Distribution On Polymer Degradation

The determination of the Residence Time Distribution (RTD) is impor tant in understanding polymer degradation during processing. Most polymers are temperature sensitive and will degrade with prolonged exposure to the high temper atures found in the extrusion process. This paper discusses a method where RTD can be estimated by introduction of a tracer into the process and measuring the response. The measurement of the RTD of Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) in the blown film process has been determined for various operating conditions. Under standing the flow characteristics of the extruder and the die can help in controlling degradation and assisting in determination of better operating procedures.