Correlations between processing parameters, morphology, and properties of blown films of linear low-density polyethylene/low-density polyethylene blends. I. Crystalline biaxial orientation by IR and mechanical properties

摘要

The change of the processing parameters of a blown film operation alters the mechanical and optical properties of the films. This work studied the influence of some of these parameters on the properties of blown films made of blends of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) and LDPE. Correlations between the crystalline biaxial orientations of these films and the mechanical properties were found. The crystalline biaxial orientation was measured by IR following the Krishnaswamy approach. The a axis of the unit cell was oriented along the machine direction (MD) at all LDPE concentrations, and it was not affected by the blow-up ratio (BUR). In contrast, the b axis changed its orientation from orthogonal to MD to along the transverse direction (TD), and it was affected by the BUR. Finally, the c axis changed its orientation from equiplanar between the MD and TD to along the thickness of the film, and it was influenced by the BUR. The decrease of the tensile mechanical properties along the MD with the increase in the amount of LDPE in the blends was attributed to the tilting of the c axis toward the film thickness. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.