ENHANCING POLYPROPYLENE-FILM WETTABILITY USING MIGRATORY ADDITIVES

摘要

Polypropylene (PP) is melt extruded into films, fibers, and other geometries for a wide variety of applications. It has very favorable bulk properties, but the surface of a PP article is hydrophobic, which is disadvantageous in many applications where a high degree of wettability is required (e.g., anti-fogging films, liquid transport in medical textiles). Post processes such as chemical treatment, corona discharge, plasma exposure, and solution coating have been used to enhance the surface functionality of PP. However, migratory additives are viewed as an attractive means of modifying surface properties because the additives can be effective at low concentrations and post processing is not required.