EFFECT OF SLIP AND WAX ON OXYGEN TRANSMISSION RATES THROUGH STYRENE BUTADIENE COPOLYMER FILMS

摘要

A significant amount of testing has been performed on Styrene Butadiene Copolymer (SBC) films to establish properties for different applications. Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR) is a property that is important for fresh-cut produce packaging. In monolayer films, this property can vary significantly from one sample to another. This study was conducted to try to determine the source of this variation. The study found that the microcrystalline wax added to some SBC's to prevent pellet blocking also hinders oxygen transmission. It is theorized that the wax migrates to the surface of the film and reduces the rate at which gas molecules are adsorbed onto the film. The study also found that the use of an erucamide wax as a slip agent can counter-act the wax effect. A possible explanation for this is that the slip agent breaks up or reduces the amount of wax on the surface, by blooming to the surface itself.