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Effect of Random and Block Copolypropylenes on Structure and Properties of Uniaxially and Biaxially Oriented PP Films

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Published/Copyright: April 6, 2013
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International Polymer Processing
From the journal International Polymer Processing Volume 26 Issue 1

Abstract

Cast films of two linear polypropylenes (PP) having different molecular weights and their blends with 5, 20, and 40 wt.% random and block copolymers were prepared. The produced cast films were uniaxially and biaxially hot drawn at T = 155°C using a biaxial stretcher and the changes in structure and morphology were examined and related to barrier, mechanical, haze, and tear properties. The crystallinity and crystal size distribution of the films were studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The uniaxial drawing generated a highly oriented fibrillar structure, resulting in an increase in the melting point of the films. A significant effect of the random copolymer on the size of crystallites was found using DSC, which was also confirmed from polarized optical microscopy (POM). Compared to the neat homopolymers, finer and numerous spherulites were observed for the blends. During drawing, the applied loads in the machine and transverse directions (MD and TD, respectively) were recorded and related to breaking up and tilting of the crystal lamellae. Adding the random copolymer appreciably decreased the haze of the films and hence drastically improved the clarity. Tensile properties and tear resistance of the cast films in MD and TD were evaluated. The addition of the random copolymer slightly reduced the Young modulus and tensile strength, but increased the elongation at break. A slight increase in the oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of the biaxially drawn films were observed by adding the copolymer.

∗ Mail address: Abdellah Ajji, CREPEC, Chemical Engineering Department, Ecole Polytechnique, 2500 Chemin Polytechnique Montreal, QC, H3T 1J4 Canada. E-mail:

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Received: 2010-08-18
Accepted: 2010-11-15
Published Online: 2013-04-06
Published in Print: 2011-03-01

© 2011, Carl Hanser Verlag, Munich

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Contents
  2. Contents
  3. Review Article
  4. Nucleation of Polypropylene Homo- and Copolymers
  5. Regular Contributed Articles
  6. Fast Prediction of Injection Pressure and Minimal Front Temperature for Injection Moulding
  7. Study on Melt Spinning of Shaped Hollow Polypropylene Fibers
  8. Lower Temperature Plasticizing and Extrusion of Polymer in Spherical Screw Extruder under Vibration Force Field
  9. Elastomer Nanocomposites Based on NR/EPDM/Organoclay: Morphology and Properties
  10. Rheological Properties of Neat and Calcium Carbonate Particles Filled Polypropylene Blends under Axial Vibration Force Field
  11. Feasibility Analysis of an In-mold Multivariate Sensor
  12. Experimental Study on the Filling of Nano Structures with Infrared Mold Surface Heating
  13. Effect of Random and Block Copolypropylenes on Structure and Properties of Uniaxially and Biaxially Oriented PP Films
  14. Co-intercalation in PP Clay Nanocomposites: Effect of Short Chain Additives on Rheological Properties
  15. PPS-News
  16. PPS News
  17. Seikei Kakou Abstracts
  18. Seikei-Kakou Abstracts
  19. Polímeros: Ciência e Tecnologia Abstracts
  20. Polímeros: Ciência E Tecnologia – Abstracts 2010
https://doi.org/10.3139/217.2404

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Contents
  2. Contents
  3. Review Article
  4. Nucleation of Polypropylene Homo- and Copolymers
  5. Regular Contributed Articles
  6. Fast Prediction of Injection Pressure and Minimal Front Temperature for Injection Moulding
  7. Study on Melt Spinning of Shaped Hollow Polypropylene Fibers
  8. Lower Temperature Plasticizing and Extrusion of Polymer in Spherical Screw Extruder under Vibration Force Field
  9. Elastomer Nanocomposites Based on NR/EPDM/Organoclay: Morphology and Properties
  10. Rheological Properties of Neat and Calcium Carbonate Particles Filled Polypropylene Blends under Axial Vibration Force Field
  11. Feasibility Analysis of an In-mold Multivariate Sensor
  12. Experimental Study on the Filling of Nano Structures with Infrared Mold Surface Heating
  13. Effect of Random and Block Copolypropylenes on Structure and Properties of Uniaxially and Biaxially Oriented PP Films
  14. Co-intercalation in PP Clay Nanocomposites: Effect of Short Chain Additives on Rheological Properties
  15. PPS-News
  16. PPS News
  17. Seikei Kakou Abstracts
  18. Seikei-Kakou Abstracts
  19. Polímeros: Ciência e Tecnologia Abstracts
  20. Polímeros: Ciência E Tecnologia – Abstracts 2010
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