Gas barriers

The principal monomer of nitrile resins is acrylonitrile (see Polyacrylonitrile ), which constitutes about 70% by weight of the polymer and provides the polymer with good gas barrier and chemical resistance properties. The remainder of the polymer is 20 to 30% methylacrylate (or styrene), with 0 to 10% butadiene to serve as an impact-modifying termonomer. 

Useflil properties of acrylonitrile copolymers, such as rigidity, gas barrier, chemical and solvent resistance, and toughness, are dependent upon the acrylonitrile content in the copolymers. The choice of the composition of SAN copolymers is dictated by their particular appHcations and performance requirements. The weU-balanced and unique properties possessed by these copolymers have led to broad usage in a wide variety of appHcations. 

Attempts have been made to perform thermal retorting ia a gas barrier flexible pouch or tray. The retort pouch, under development for many years, has a higher surface-to-volume ratio than a can and employs a heat seal rather than a mechanical closure. Similarly, plastic retort trays have higher surface-to-volume ratios and are usually heat seal closed. Plastic cans iatended for microwave reheating are composed of bodies fabricated from multilayer plastic including a high oxygen barrier material, plus double-seam aluminum closures. 

Oriented polypropylene film has exceUent water-vapor barrier but poor gas barrier properties exceUent clarity, or opacity in newer forms and good heat-seal properties in packagiag appHcations. 

Nylon. Nylon is the designation for a family of thermoplastic polyamide materials which in film form are moderate-oxygen barriers. The gas-barrier properties are equal to odor and flavor barrier properties important in food appHcations. Nylon films are usually tough and thermoform able, but are only fain moisture barriers (see Polyamides). 

Ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) forms a soft, tacky film with good water-vapor barrier but very poor gas-barrier properties. It is widely used as a low temperature initiation and broad-range, heat-sealing medium. The film also serves for lamination to other substrates for heat-sealing purposes. 

Some heavier gauge flexible materials, usually containing nylon, are thermoformed, ie, heated and formed into three-dimensional shapes. Such stmctures are used to provide high gas-barrier, heat-sealable containment for processed meat or cheese. 

To enhance water-vapor- or gas-barrier properties, layers of different plastics may be injected together or sequentially. Multilayer injection-molded pieces may be prepared as packaging or for blowing into bottle or jar shapes. 

Alkenylsuccinic anhydrides made from several linear alpha olefins are used in paper sizing, detergents, and other uses. Sulfosuccinic acid esters serve as surface active agents. Alkyd resins (qv) are used as surface coatings. Chlorendric anhydride [115-27-5] is used as a flame resistant component (see Flame retardants). Tetrahydrophthalic acid [88-98-2] and hexahydrophthalic anhydride [85-42-7] have specialty resin appHcations. Gas barrier films made by grafting maleic anhydride to polypropylene [25085-53-4] film are used in food packaging (qv). Poly(maleic anhydride) [24937-72-2] is used as a scale preventer and corrosion inhibitor (see Corrosion and corrosion control). Maleic anhydride forms copolymers with ethylene glycol methyl vinyl ethers which are partially esterified for biomedical and pharmaceutical uses (189) (see Pharmaceuticals). 

Die cut metal lamiaates are also appHed to plastics for decorative effects, or for radio frequeacy iaterfereace shielding. These lamiaates are formed by vacuum depositioa, or by attachmeat of foil to a plastic layer for easier handling. Multiple layer composites of plastic and aluminum are used for specialized packagiag, especially for moisture or gas barriers. 

Gas-Barrier Properties. The oxygen-barrier properties of PVA at low humidity ate the best of any synthetic resin. However, barrier performance deteriorates above 60% th (Fig. 9). No additives or chemical modifiers are known that can effectively reduce moisture sensitivity. The gas-barrier performance is affected by the degree of hydrolysis and rapidly diminishes as the hydrolysis is decreased below 98%. 

Oil Repellent. Fluorochemicals are the only class of material that can provide oil repeUency without altering the porosity of the paper or paperboard. Physical barriers to oil penetration are used primarily for their moisture- or gas-barrier properties, with retarded oil penetration as a secondary benefit. The most common od-repeUent additives are long-chain perfluoroalkyl phosphate salts of ammonia or diethanol amine. Commercial sources include Scotchban (3M), Zonyl (DuPont), and Lodyne (Ciba Specialties). There are also a fluorochemical carboxylate salt, Lodyne (Ciba Specialties), and fluorochemical copolymers, eg, Scotchban (3M). The widest range of oily fluid holdout is provided by the fluorochemical copolymers. 

Certain copolymers of this type have been found to have excellent gas barrier properties, with the dry polymer having an oxygen permeability only about 1/lOth that of polyvinylidene chloride. Unsurprisingly, the copolymer has a high moisture absorption and a high moisture vapour transmission rate. Where the material is swollen by water, gas permeability is also higher. 

Because of the excellent gas barrier properties, EVOH is of interest as a packaging material. However, because of its high water absorption it is usually used as an internal layer in a co-extruded film, sheet, bottle or tube. For example, the system HDPE-EVOH-EVA may be used as a barrier film for packaging cereals, and the system polystyrene-EVOH-polystyrene for packaging coffee and cream, whilst the system polystyrene-EVOH-polyethylene has the additional advantage of heat scalability. 

Type of Polymer (ASTM D 792) Barrier Gas Barrier Grease and Oils... 

Water Permeation of Nitrile Copolymers. While the AN content bears a direct relationship to the gas barrier, the water permeability presents quite an anomaly. If the water permeation of the commercial SAN films (25% AN) is measured, the rate is higher than that of polystyrene. Thus it appears that films with greater AN content have even higher water permeation rates. It was discovered, however, (I, 7) that as the AN content increases there is a shift in permeation, and the higher AN/S materials show water barriers of excellent quality. Table VIII... 

It is likely that excellent gas barrier properties exhibited by nanocomposite polymer systems will result in their substantial use as packaging materials in fumre years. 

If waterproofing or dampproofing treatments that are effective gas barriers and that can be sealed at joints and penetrations could be identified, then walls could be made radon resistant. Acceptable dampproofing or waterproofing treatments are specifically listed in building codes in many areas of the United States these lists are periodically amended as new materials come into use. These coatings apply primarily to basement walls. 

Bentonite clay expands when moist to create a waterproof barrier. Bentonite is sold in various forms, including panels and mats. Bentonite is not as resistant to chemicals as the thermoplastic membranes, nor is it puncture resistant. The major flaw of bentonite as a radon barrier, however, is that it is only tightly expanded when wet. This is acceptable for a waterproofing material, but not for a gas barrier. 

This stretching, similar to the drawing of fibres, which promotes orientation and crystallite formation, is called biaxial orientation. It gives the film added strength and gas-barrier properties. In some processes, monoaxial (uniaxial) drawing is employed, e.g., polypropylene, which is then slit into thin strips and fabricated into heavy duty sacks, carpet backing, etc. The stenter process is used to make biaxial oriented poly(vinylidene dichloride) ("ding" film), polyester, polyamide and polypropylene films. 

Conversely, cling film (plasticised PVC/PVDC, (poly(vinyl chloride)/poly (vinylidene chloride), copolymer, which has very high gas-barrier properties) on peeling from a roll generates static electricity thus promoting adhesion to a surface, e.g., ceramics, but not metallic surfaces which conduct the static electricity away... 

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