Manufacture of Plastic Films

Plastic films are manufactured by several completely different methods. Casting of films from solutions or dispersions is carried out on an appreciable scale. The solution or dispersion is cast on an endless belt of polished stainless steel or other suitable materials. The solvent is evaporated and the film is stripped from the belt, trimmed and wound up. This method is used for films from cellulose derivatives, rubber hydrochloride, etc., and can produce very uniform and clear films, virtually without orientation effects. 

The other methods of film manufacture, calendering and several extrusion techniques, are much more interesting from our point of view. 

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The application of flame or corona discharges is thought to be effective mainly by oxidizing the surface, so giving a polar, wettable layer. Such treatments are most appropriate for treating large areas swiftly, as in the manufacture of plastic film. 

Methyl acrylate is a monomer used in the manufacture of plastic films, textiles, paper coatings, and other acrylate ester resins. It is also used in amphoteric surfactants. 

Erucamide—slip-promoting antiblocking agent in manufacture of plastic films... 

Phthahc anhydride (1) is the commercial form of phthaUc acid (2). The worldwide production capacity for the anhydride was ca 3.5 x 10 metric tons ia 1993, and it was used ia the manufacture of plasticizers (qv), unsaturated polyesters, and alkyd resins (qv) (see Polyesters, unsaturated). Sales of terephthahc acid (3) and its dimethyl ester are by far the largest of any of the benzenepolycarboxyhc acids 14.3 x 10 t were produced in 1993. This is 80% of the total toimage of ah. commercial forms of the benzenepolycarboxyhc acids. Terephthahc acid is used almost exclusively for the manufacture of poly(ethylene terephthalate), which then is formed into textiles, films, containers, and molded articles. Isophthahc acid (4) and trimehitic anhydride (5) are commercial products, but their worldwide production capacities are an order of magnitude smaller than for terephthahc acid and its dimethyl ester. Isophthahc acid is used primarily in the production of unsaturated polyesters and as a comonomer in saturated polyesters. Trimehitic anhydride is used mainly to make esters for high performance poly(vinyl chloride) plasticizers. Trimesic acid (6), pyromehitic dianhydride (7), and hernimehitic acid (8) have specialized commercial apphcations. The rest of the benzenepolycarboxyhc acids are not available commercially. 

More than 65% of the acetic acid produced in the United States goes into vinyl acetate. Nearly all the vinyl acetate ends up as polyvinyl acetate, used to make plastics, latex paints, and adhesives. About 12% of acetic acid is converted to acetic anhydride that is mostly used to make cellulose acetate, the white stuff in cigarette filters. It is also used in the manufacture of plastic sheeting and film and in formulating lacquers. 

Like the triacetate, secondary cellulose acetate (CA) is used in solution processes to produce fibers and films. CA fibers were originally called "rayon." the name that was already in use for regenerated cellulose fibers. In 1951. however, the regulatory authorities formally acknowledged the chemical distinction between CA and cellulose, and the term rayon was reserved for libers of regenerated cellulose. CA fibers are officially called acetate. and they are used in a wide variety of fabrics. They also are used for cigarette filters. However, the majority of CA produced is used for manufacture of plastics. 

Uses Methyl alcohol is a clear, colorless liquid with a slight alcoholic odor. It is used in the synthesis of formaldehyde, methylamine, ethylene glycol, methacrylates, and as an industrial solvent for a number of products (e.g., inks, resins, adhesives, dyes for straw hats). Methyl alcohol is an important ingredient commonly used to prepare grease and dirt remover. It also is used in the manufacture of photographic films, plastics, celluloid, textile soaps, wood stains, coated fabrics, paper coatings, artificial leather, and other industrial products. 

Plastic Suppliers is one of the largest manufacturers and distributors of plastic films producing for the flexible packaging, folding carton, shrink film, thermoforming, envelopes and printing markets. 

The largest single use of ethylene glycol today is in the manufacture of a plastic called polyethylene terephthalate (PET). PET s primary application is in the manufacture of plastic bottles, an application that accounts for about a third of all the ethylene glycol made in the United States. Large amounts of PET are also used in the manufacture of polyester fibers and films. Some additional uses of the compound include ... 

MAJOR USES Used in manufacture of plastic masses, films, lacquers, emulsion paint substances, glue, adhesives, paper coatings, water-based paints, inks, hairsprays and chewing gum. 

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