The Effect of Downgauging on the Physicomechanical Properties of Film Blends of Linear Low-density Polyethylene with Low-density Polyethylene

Abstract

Two series of film formulations are investigated comprising blends of a metallocene-catalyzed linear low-density polyethylene (mLLDPE) or a conventional linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) with a low-density polyethylene (LDPE). The physicomechanical and optical properties are studied at various gauge lengths to investigate the effects of downgauging the films, particularly those containing mLLDPE. The potential for downgauging is found to be optimum at higher levels of mLLDPE with the best results achieved for a film containing 40 wt.% mLLDPE at 60 mm. This formulation has significantly better properties than an analogous blend containing 40 wt.% LLDPE at 100 mm. The potential materials and cost savings associated with downgauging films is also briefly investigated.