The industry has long accepted
the fact that antiblock additive addition imposes
a penalty on clarity of film optics. However,
a new additive masterbatch introduced by Ampacet
does the opposite. Ampacet from USA has developed
an antiblocking additive masterbatch designated
as 102286 for LLDPE film, which, when incorporated
in LLDPE, produces clearer film than that produced
from the base LLDPE grade. A high-clarity slip
antiblock additive masterbatch, it eliminates
the loss in clarity that often accompanies antiblock
additive use by raising film clarity well above
that of the base resin.
Pilot plant tests have shown that this new additive
masterbatch makes film as much as 65% clearer
than the base polymer and improves gloss by
as much as 50%. Its unique action derives from
the cooperative effects of proprietary antiblocking,
clarifying and amide slip components. By greatly
improving film clarity and gloss, it gives customers
what they have long asked for and lets them
create more compelling products. Its effect
on clarity can also reduce the need to blend
LDPE into LLDPE and hence can lower raw material
costs. It has excellent slip and antilock properties,
so less of it is often needed compared to other
antiblock additives, hence usage can lower costs.
The mineral-based antiblock in Ampacet 102286
has a narrow particle size distribution and
uniquely spherical particles that have much
less impact on haze than the irregular particles
normally found in these agents. The particles
also have a low porosity, so they have lower
tendencies to absorb other additives and a low
level of impurities. The various components
in this additive masterbatch work together to
produce enhanced results. In addition to improving
clarity and gloss, it also elevates LLDPE film
crystallization temperature. The laboratory
results at 2% usage level increases LLDPE crystallization
temperature by about 7-8%. This effect allows
film lines to run hotter and thus at higher
speed. The faster crystallization also plays
a role in the gloss improvement by creating
smaller and more uniform crystals.
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