Abstract
Anti-blocking is a term used to describe measures to prevent film sheets to stick together. Polyolefin films tend to adhere to each other due to strong van der Waals interaction or electrostatic charges when being in close contact (adjacent layers). The higher the temperature, pressure, and contact/processing time, the higher the tendency to stick to each other.
To avoid the adherence of layers due to a close contact, particulate matter is introduced into the film in a highly diluted concentration. By that measure a micro-rough surface is created, and contact area of film layers is minimized; the distance between the layers is maximized and adherence suppressed. Minerals used for that application should have little to no impact on the mechanical properties of the film; must not deteriorate transparency, haze, color, gloss of the film; and should be compatible with the film-processing process. Several minerals are used for this purpose: talc, calcined kaolin, cristobalite, precipitated silica, diatomaceous earth, mica, calcium carbonates, calcium sulfate (anhydrite), magnesium carbonate, magnesium sulfate, and feldspars.
Organic alternatives used for anti-blocking or anti-stick are amides, fatty acid amides, fatty acids, salts of fatty acids, silicones, or others. They work with different mechanisms compared to the inorganic anti-blocking additives, migrating to the film surface upon cooling and forming a release layer. Sometimes combinations of inorganic and organic anti-blocking additives are used. Organic additives typically have lower anti-blocking ability in comparison to the inorganic ones but better slip effect.
This entry summarizes the mechanisms of anti-blocking and subsumes results from literature on that subject with an emphasis on the mineral anti-blocking additives.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
HPF The Minerals Engineers (2013) Verbesserung der Eigenschaften in Polyethylenfolien durch den Einsatz von high performance fillers. HPF The Minerals Engineers, Frechen
Imerys (2014) The use of Calcined Kaolins (Calcined Clays) as antiblocking agents. Abgerufen am 03. 04 2014 von http://www.imerys-perfmins.com/calcined-kaolin/eu/antiblocking.htm
Robinson PA (2003) Feldspar and nepheline syenite: fillers with a purpose. Paint Coat Ind Mag. http://www.pcimag.com/articles/feldspar-and-nepheline-syenite-fillers-with-a-purpose
Schwartz H (2006) Interempresas.net plastics. Abgerufen am 03. 04 2013 von Absorbent go for agricultural films, 15 Mar 2006. http://www.interempresas.net/Plastics/Articles/13425-Absorbent-go-for-agricultural-films.html
Smith BW (2006) The effect of antiblocking agents on the performance of polymer processing aids. In: 2006 PLACE conference proceedings. TAPPI, 15 Technology Parkway South, Suite 115, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092, Cincinatti, pp 1–8
van Aken L (2012) Evaluation of infra-red thermal additives for greenhouse films. In: International CIPA conference 2012 on plasticulture for a green planet, Tel Aviv
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2017 Springer International Publishing Switzerland
About this entry
Cite this entry
Zilles, J.U. (2017). Antiblock Additives. In: Rothon, R. (eds) Fillers for Polymer Applications. Polymers and Polymeric Composites: A Reference Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-28117-9_15
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-28117-9_15
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-28116-2
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-28117-9
eBook Packages: Chemistry and Materials ScienceReference Module Physical and Materials ScienceReference Module Chemistry, Materials and Physics