Multilayer Films for Food Packaging: The Manifestation of Interlayer Adhesives

In the article of properties of different types of polymers at polymer films (part one) has mentioned to importance of polymer films at packing industrial and applications of them in this industry. One of the most important categories of polymer films is multilayer films. Significant purposes of combination of polymers in multilayer films is to preserve the quality of food materials and also to prevent them from moisture and oxygen [1].

Based on the features that is said above in this article, polyolefins are considered very useful. Although these materials have some benefits such as: processing, no moisture diffusion, good thermal and mechanical properties, but polyolefins do not have suitable resistance to oxygen diffusion. Unlike the polyolefins, a polar polymer like ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH), due to its chemical structure has resistance against diffusion of oxygen, so this material because of recycling ability and transparency is replacing instead of metalized films and aluminum foils. Based on the data of table1, adding EVOH to the center of multilayer film (the middle layer) leads to remarkable resistance against oxygen in comparison to a single-layer of polyolefins (e.g. LDPE) [1].

Table1: Comparison of oxygen diffusion rate between single-layer and multi-layer films [2].

However, mixing of polar polymers like EVOH and non-polar polymers such as Polyethylene (PE) because of incompatibility is challenging. That is why to make multi-layer films with this combination need to use of new generation of adhesives which is called interlayer adhesive or Tie layer to promote weak adhesion between the layers.

– Properties of packaging films:

Packaging films must have four functions:

1. Chemical and thermal stability
2. Moisture resistance and oxygen diffusion resistance
3. High mechanical properties (abrasion, impact and volume stability)
4. Qualified optical properties such as transparency and brilliance

As mentioned above, the main goal of compounding polymers in multi-layer films is preserving the quality of food materials and prevent from exposureing to moisture and oxygen. Due to appropriate properties and resistance against the diffusion of oxygen polyolefins play an essential role in making multi-layer films. Nevertheless, for creating resistance against oxygen diffusion in these multi-layer films it is used from polar polymers such as polyamide or EVOH in the central layer of the films. Fig. 1 shows the regular structure of an ideal film at packaging film industry. Combination of polyolefin layer with the polar polymer layer makes the film resistant in both moisture and oxygen. Such a film with preventing of oxygen diffusion and the other gases would prevent from food spoiling and it can take care of the quality of food with keeping the scent and moisture.

With comparison of polymers functions, it can be understood that the resistance of EVOH against oxygen diffusity in 1mm is equal to 10 m of polyethylene [4]. The chart of polymers functions at oxygen diffusion resistance is seen at Fig. 2. Based on the figure, most of the polyolefins because of their chemical structure have weak function against oxygen. Unlike these materials, most of polar polymers like polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), Ethylene vinyl alcohol, PVDC and polyamides which has good function against oxygen diffusion. Between these materials with considering the process conditions, cost and compatibility with environment, EVOH is the best choose for food-packaging as an oxygen diffusion resistance layer.

However, polar polymers (PA, EVOH) and non-polar polymers (PE, PP, PS) have different structure so that they are incompatible. In Fig. 3, compatibility and tendency of different material for each other can be seen.

So, to mixing the incompatible polymers in different layers, it is needed to a thin layer of reaction or non-reaction adhesive whit dual functionality to increase the adhesion strength between incompatible layers according to the Fig. 4.

The difference between these adhesives with regular adhesives is because of adhesion mechanism. This adhesive due to their components would be able to build chemical interaction (in adhesive joint surface/ polar layer of polymer) according to Fig. 5. Hence, chemical surface forces such as covalent and hydrogenic forces will be able to make adhesion between adhesive and polymer.

To produce multi-layer films, co-extrusion process is considered the best one. At this process two or more polymer are extruded together which is resulted to a composite film. This can lead to creating a film whit different function. According to Fig. 6, to make the film by this process two methods can be used: Casting and Blowing.

Due to the process and components of producing the adhesive, different factors can affect on interlayer adhesion. For example, increasing temperature and time in the producing process helps the increasing of thickness of adhesive and amount of functionality help more chemical interaction. In addition, every process at producing level which is led to orientation at adhesive chains, will declined adhesion strength. The components of interlayer adhesives must be designed in a way that this decrease by orientation be the least possible. Effects of these factors have been specified in Fig. 7.

These adhesives can be used in different categories and different applications. For example, suitable packaging films for some food material are mentioned at Table 2.

Table 2. Suitable packaging film for various food grade.

Finally, to select an appropriate adhesive, we should consider the layers of a film, the strength which is needed, physical requirements, cost and processing factors. In addition, interlayer adhesive components must be designed in a way to make a good balance between adhesion with transparency and flexibility.

Aria Polymer Pishgam is pioneer at manufacturing of interlayer adhesives for different kinds of layers. To get to know these adhesives, please call to Aria Polymer experts.

Author: Emad Izadi Vasafi

References:

[1] Maes, C. Luyten, W., Updates on the Barrier Properties of Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol Copolymer (EVOH): A Review. Polymer Reviews 2018, 58, 209–246.

[2] Sangaj, N.S. and V. Malshe, Permeability of polymers in protective organic coatings. Progress in Organic coatings, 2004. 50(1): p. 28-39.

[3] Mokwena, K.K. and J. Tang, Ethylene vinyl alcohol: a review of barrier properties for packaging shelf stable foods. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 2012. 52(7): p. 640-650.

[4] Morris, B.A., Tie layer technology for multilayer coextrusion of single-use biopharma bags. 2017.

[5] Poisson, C., et al., Optimization of PE/binder/PA extrusion blow‐molded films. II. Adhesion properties improvement using binder/EVA blends. Journal of applied polymer science, 2006. 101(1): p. 118-127.

[6] Ebnesajjad, S. and C. Ebnesajjad, Surface treatment of materials for adhesive bonding. 2013: William Andrew.

[7] Butler, T.I. and B.A. Morris, PE-based multilayer film structures, in Multilayer flexible packaging. 2016, Elsevier. p. 281-310.

[8] Kamykowski, G.W., Factors affecting adhesion of tie layers between polypropylene and polyamides. Journal of Plastic Film & Sheeting, 2000. 16(3): p. 237-246.