Changing Breathability of Polyethylene Composite Films with Different Porous Structures Depending on Stretching Processes

• Published in: Advances in polymer technology Vol. 36; no. 2; pp. 203 - 210
• Main Authors: Ozen, Ilhan, SImsek, Suleyman
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Hindawi Limited 01.06.2017
• Subjects: Breathability; Calcium carbonate; Calcium compounds; Carbonates; Coating; Coating effects; Compounding; Cost engineering; Extrusion; Low density polyethylenes; Polyethylene; Polyethylenes; Polymer matrix composites; Porosity; Processing; Stretching; Surgical implants
• ISSN: 0730-6679; 1098-2329
• DOI: 10.1002/adv.21600

ABSTRACT The aim of this work is to investigate the effects of different stretching processes on breathability performance of linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE)/coated calcium carbonate (CaCO3) composite films under the same conditions. Coated calcium carbonates and powdered LLDPE were physically mixed and dried in a high shear mixer, and polymer compounds containing 45 and 55 wt% coated calcium carbonate were generated using a twin screw extruder. Cast films were produced and then they were stretched 3.5 times in machine direction at 25°C by using stenter and interdigitation stretching methods. It was revealed that not only the CaCO3 type and loading amount but also the stretching type has an enormous effect on breathability performance. In addition, the quality of porosity, that is, the amount of interconnecting pores, was determined to play an important role in breathability. And, the interdigitation stretching process offers the potential for a better breathability at reduced processing costs.