Paraffin Films

Siswand Ali Mohamed Ali Rauff

Scope

Composition and chemistry of polymer Industrial manufacturing process methods Physical properties due to polymer structure Possible uses

Composition

Blend of Olefin-type materials Olefin is made from propylene and ethylene gases Olefin can be formed into thic fiber and shares identical properties to that of Parafilm added wa!"li e material coats on paraffin film accounts for high temperature resistance

Chemistry

Parafilm fibers are created #ia chain-growth reaction $hree Stages%&

Initiation% acti#ating agent is introduced to monomer to start polymeri'ation Propagation stage% actual molecule chain is created( molecules bond to build the chain Termination: occurs when free radical molecules bond and end the polymeri'ation process thus creating the strong( sturdy and pliable Paraffin Film

In the Industry

Possible se#eral methods

)apour *eposition $ubular Blowing Method Cast Film Method )main

Reactants used

+aseous Radical Initiator( typically o'one ,thylene +as Propylene gas

)apour *eposition

One of the most useful methods for obtaining an organic thin film with a desired molecular orientation Reactants

n"paraffins with C ranging from -."/. ,#aporated at pressure of about - ! 0."1 $orr deposited onto a slide glass substrate $emperature of the substrate and e#aporation container could be ad2usted between " 031 and -..oC

)apour *eposition

- Possible Orientations%

4ormal 5molecular chain a!is is perpendicular to glass substrate6 7ateral 5molecular chain a!is is parallel to glass substrate6

Molecular orientation is controlled by

*eposition rate Substrate temperature Substrate morphology

)apour *eposition

For paraffin thin film on a glass substrate

4ormal orientation obtained by light supercooling 7ateral orientation obtained by high supercooling

Supercooling is defined as difference between melting temperature of sample and substrate temperature 7ateral orientation in the thin film could be changed to normal orientation by annealing #" main

)apour *eposition

)apour deposition as 8 elementary steps

,#aporation process from e#aporation source Adsorption process onto substrate 4ucleation process on the substrate For e!ample( molecules adsorbed on the substrate can tra#el along the substrate surface with #arious molecular motions and orientation

Some molecules can re"e#aporate from substrate and molecules diffusing on substrate surface meet one another to form clusters and

$ubular Blowing Method

For production of stretch wraps used to wrap pallets and those used to wrap food Reactants used

Polyethylene or copolymer of ethylene with one or more co"monomers selected from C/ to C0. 9 olefins such as butane and he!ene Small weight percentage or Sorbitan Monooleate as antiha'ing agent

$ubular Blowing Method

0&- parts Sorbitan Monooleate and 3:&: parts of 77*P, powder 5;": wt < polymeri'ed i" butene( .&30= S+ density( .&= melt inde!6 were thoroughly mi!ed in ribbon blender and e!truded into pellets $hen blown into using a *a#is Screw ,!truder ha#ing fluted head screw connected to a die *ie temperature was maintained at about /1.>F( while a#erage barrel temperature was about /8.>F

$ubular Blowing Method

,!trusion process has a series of e#ents that affects consistency and stability of the e!trude and therefore film Feeding( melting( mi!ing( metering and filtration *ie?s annular shape produces a tube of polymer which is inflated by air pressure Inflation of tube stretches film and pro#ides orientation of polymer

$ubular Blowing Method

Formation of polypropylene( - step tubular orientation process Film must first be cooled to allow crystallisation due to high melt strength of polypropylene Film is reheated to melting temperature

General Extruder Considerations

May need to handle a wide range of polyethylene characteristics e&g& #arying molar mass distributions @se of additi#es such as antio!idants( lubricants may be needed to ensure good performance Able to supply sufficient heat to melt polymer and can con#ey molten polymer to the die for e!trusion Single or *ouble"Screw will depend on how

crew !esign Considerations

Screw typically di#ided into three 'ones% feed 'one( compression 'one and metering 'one

"eed #one con#eys the polymer pellets( filler and additi#es into e!truder Compression #one: polymer is melted( mi!ed with other components and compressed into continuous stream of molten compounds $etering #one ensures a uniform flow rate to con#ey the polymer to the die

crew !esign Considerations

Screw typically di#ided into three 'ones% feed 'one( compression 'one and metering 'one

"eed #one con#eys the polymer pellets( filler and additi#es into e!truder Compression #one: polymer is melted( mi!ed with other components and compressed into continuous stream of molten compounds $etering #one ensures a uniform flow rate to con#ey the polymer to the die

crew !esign Considerations

Polyethylenes are semicrystalline polymers and therefore can ha#e broad melting range ,specially when they are copolymers or ha#e random branching Melting or compression 'ones of screw should be broad

crew !esign Considerations

%low &atio and "rost-'ine

Molten film e!its the annular die as a tube of polymer $ube is pinchedBsealed as it passes between pinch rollers $ube is e!panded using air $ube only e!pands significantly when the polymer is molten Blow ratio is ratio of final tube diameter to diameter of annulus in the die

%low &atio and "rost-'ine

Rate at which polymer e!its from the die Air pressure blown into the tube Flow of e!ternal chilled air determine blow ratio $his ratio( together with width of the slot in the die( determines film thic ness and trans#erse orientation of film

Properties

*uctility Malleability Caterproofness 4onto!icity $ranslucency Cohesi#eness

Properties

*uctility and malleability refers to property of material to deform under tensile or compressi#e stress respecti#ely For paraffin films( since the polymer consists of mostly straight chain carbon bac bone with minimal side groups or branching ,!pected to be fle!ible and therefore ductile and malleable

Properties

Relati#ely non to!ic since it is predominantly polyethylene and the li es Can ha#e range of opacity( from opaAue to translucent to transparent *epend on e!tent of crystallinity in the polymer( predominantly crystalline structure will be opaAue Amorphous structure will lead to transparency $ranslucent appearance is possible according

(ses

7ab uses

Seal test tubes Bea ers Shape of storage container

Bandage in medical first aid Crapping flowers to retain moisture 5 eep fresh longer( pre#ent fungal growth6 Crapping for food( cargo