HDPE GRADE POSSESSES EXCELLENT STIFFNESS AND BARRIER PROPERTIES
20 October 2004 - ExxonMobil Chemical Co

A new grade of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) has been introduced by ExxonMobil Chemical. Called HTA108 it is has excellent stiffness and barrier properties in coextrusion or polyethylene film blends.

When blended with linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) or metallocene linear low-density polyethylene (mLLDPE) the new grade also improves processability.

Exhibiting properties such as excellent stiffness and water vapour barrier, controlled gel levels and ease of processing, the new grade has been specifically designed for use as a blend partner in transparent coextruded film structures, conventional coextruded film structures or in monolayer film structures.

In transparent coextrusion film structures, ExxonMobil HDPE HTA108 can be added to a middle layer of LLDPE, mLLDPE or LDPE to increase the stiffness of a film. Additionally, with the use of Exceed mLLDPE both the excellent transparency and outstanding mechanical properties are maintained.

In conventional coextrusion film structures, ExxonMobil HDPE HTA108 can be used as the main component in one layer to increase modulus and barrier properties of various coextruded structures where other layers may contain LDPE, LLDPE, mLLDPE or HDPE.

In monolayer extruded film structures, ExxonMobil HDPE HTA108 can be added to LLDPE or mLLDPE films to increase stiffness when high transparency is not required.

David Trout, Global HDPE Segment Marketing Manager, ExxonMobil Chemical Company said: 'The increasing trend towards downgauging in an effort to reduce costs creates a need for raw materials with higher stiffness. The combined performance properties of ExxonMobil HDPE HTA108 make it an ideal solution to compensate for the loss of stiffness created by downgauging. And, the density of the new grade is such that only limited amounts are required.'

The best downgauging opportunities for conventional PE films are obtained when ExxonMobil HDPE HTA108 is combined with Exceed mLLDPE. ExxonMobil HDPE HTA108 maintains the stiffness of the thinner film, while the outstanding mechanical and optical properties of Exceed mLLDPE retain the desired film strength and clarity. Such film structures can contribute to significant downgauging opportunities in applications such as heavy-duty sacks, freezer films and lamination films.

http://www.exxonmobilchemical.com

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