Tie layer resins are a family of functional polymers which can help bond together or compatibilize dissimilar polymers such as polyethylene (PE) and polyamide or PE and ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH). Tie resins are used in a wide range of coextrusion processes such as blown and cast film, extrusion coating/lamination and injection-molding for packaging and non-packaging uses in food, medical, consumer and industrial applications. Typical examples of tie resins include maleic anhydride grafted polymers, ethylene- acid copolymers, ethylene-ester copolymers. The adhesive property of a tie resin is very critical for delivering the total functionality of a multilayer package. It becomes even challenging when the packaging fabrication involves orientation and shrink as stretching and orientation can significantly reduce interlayer adhesion. Orientation of multilayer films is important for various commercial packaging forms, especially when they are related to shrink such as barrier shrink bags, retail skin packaging, shrink films etc. Orientation enhances barrier properties and improves mechanical properties and can support packaging weight reduction. This is of a significant interest in light of sustainable packaging as oriented films can help to reach the goal of packaging waste reduction.<br/>This paper will focus on a review of tie resins and how it impacts adhesion in multilayer packaging. A major emphasis will be on factors such as tie resin formulation (polymer matrix, functional polymer, additives, modifiers), processing conditions and how they impact adhesion in multilayer packaging, specifically in highly oriented structures. The paper will concentrate on journal and patent literature including brief summary of impactful data and will aim to establish fundamental understanding on adhesion in highly oriented structures.

Adhesion and tie layer resin technology for multilayer packaging

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.