Polypropylene orientation

Bartczak Z, Morawiec J and Galeski A (2002) Structure and properties of isotactic polypropylene oriented by rolling with side constraints, J Appl Polym Sci, 86 1413-1425. 

Snetivy D and Vancso G J 1994 Atomic force microscopy of polymer crystals 7. Chain packing, disorder and imaging of methyl groups in oriented isotactic polypropylene Po/yme/ 35 461... 

BOPP films. See Biaxially oriented polypropylene films. 

Some cast (unoriented) polypropylene film is produced. Its clarity and heat sealabiUty make it ideal for textile packaging and overwrap. The use of copolymers with ethylene improves low temperature impact, which is the primary problem with unoriented PP film. Orientation improves the clarity and stiffness of polypropylene film, and dramatically increases low temperature impact strength. BOPP film, however, is not readily heat-sealed and so is coextmded or coated with resins with lower melting points than the polypropylene shrinkage temperature. These layers may also provide improved barrier properties. 

The double-bubble process may be used to produce biaxiaHy oriented film, primarily polypropylene. In this process the first bubble formation is similar to the conventional blown film, except that the bubble is not coUapsed. Rather it is reheated to the orientation temperature and blown and drawn further in a second stage. It is then coUapsed, sUt, and wound. This process is generally limited to a final film thickness of less than 24 p.m. 

BiaxiaHy oriented films have excellent tensile strength properties and good tear and impact properties. They are especially well regarded for their brilliance and clarity. Essentially all poly(ethylene terephthalate) film is biaxiaHy oriented, and more than 80% of polypropylene film is biaxiaHy oriented. Polystyrene film is oriented, and a lesser amount of polyethylene, polyamide, poly(vinyl chloride), and other polymers are so processed. Some of the specialty films, like polyimides (qv), are also oriented. 

Hard baked goods such as cookies and crackers have a relatively low water and high fat content. Water can be absorbed, and the product loses its desirable texture and becomes subject to Hpid rancidity. Packagiag for cookies and crackers includes polyolefin-coextmsion film pouches within paperboard carton sheUs, and polystyrene trays overwrapped with polyethylene or oriented polypropylene film. Soft cookies are packaged in high water-vapor-barrier laminations containing aluminum foil. 

Hard sugar candies have very low moisture content. They are sealed in low water vapor-transmission packaging such as aluminum foil or oriented polypropylene film. 

Oriented polypropylene film (OPP) may be classified as heat-set and non-heat-set, blown and tentered, coextmded and coated. Orientation improves the cold-temperature resistance and other physical properties. Heat-set biaxially oriented polypropylene film (BOPP) is the most widely used protective packagiag film ia the United States. It is used to wrap bakery products, as lamination pHes for potato and com chips, and for pastas and numerous other flexible pouch and wrapping appHcations. Nonheat-set OPP is used as a sparkling, transparent shrink-film overwrap for cartons of candy. 

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. 

Poly(vinylidene chloride). Poly(viayHdene chloride) [9002-85-1] (PVDC), most of which is produced by Dow Chemical, is best known in its saran or PVC-copolymerized form (see Vinylidene chloride and poly(VINYLIDENE chloride)). As solvent or emulsion coating, PVDC imparts high oxygen, fat, aroma, and water-vapor resistance to substrates such as ceUophane, oriented polypropylene, polyester, and nylon. 

Extmsion of polyethylene and some polypropylenes is usually through a circular die into a tubular form, which is cut and collapsed into flat film. Extmsion through a linear slot onto chilled rollers is called casting and is often used for polypropylene, polyester, and other resins. Cast, as well as some blown, films may be further heated and stretched in the machine or in transverse directions to orient the polymer within the film and improve physical properties such as tensile strength, stiffness, and low temperature resistance. 

A small quantity of flexible packaging material, usually oriented polypropylene, shrink polypropylene, or polyethylene, is used to overwrap paperboard cartons. The film is wrapped around the carton and sealed by heating. Products such as boxed chocolates, candies, and cookies are overwrapped, sometimes by a printed film. 

Polypropylene is used in battery cases and in the replacement of metal parts in automobiles. It is also widely used in consumer products, eg, kitchen wares, trays, toys, and packaging materials. Its future appHcations are expected to include an increased portion of the fibers and filaments markets, especially for continued growth in carpet backing and carpet face yams. Film, both oriented and unoriented, is also expected to be a significant growth market for polypropylene. 

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