4. Page 4
How to deal with moisture
• reliable resin manufacturers supply nylon
dry and ready-to-use
• avoid moisture absorption
• use packaging size according to consumption
• shield hopper from atmosphere
• maximum allowable moisture content 0.1 %
5. Page 5
Too high moisture
• too high moisture content results in:
• bubbles/foaming of the melt
• holes in the film
• bubble collapses
• hydrolytic breakdown
6. Page 6
Screws for polyamide extrusion
General Purpose screws can be used, provided:
• the barrel is not grooved (unless .....)
• the heating capacity is sufficient
• the compression ratio is < 4.0
• the L/D ratio is > 24
• barrier screws suitable
7. Page 7
Mixing or dispersing elements
• mixing sections on standard 3-zone screws may be
needed
• dispersing antiblock agent
• pigments
• not needed for standard additives
• mixing elements:
• pineapple (distributive mixing)
• pin (distributive mixing)
• Maddock (dispersive mixing)
10. Page 10
Thermal properties of PA6
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
processing range
crystal growth
melting point
glass transition temperature
temperature[°C]
11. Page 11
Communicate with the machine
• listen to what the machine is telling you
• watch energy demand of band heaters
– shows where energy is needed
– shows where no energy is needed
• avoid adiabatic extrusion
– the machine is in control, not you!
– Tpol will show large variations
12. Page 12
Temperature settings
• too low settings may result in too high polymer
temperature
• nylons with higher crystallinity require different
approach
13. Page 13
Melt stability
• polyamide is a condensation polymer
• consequence for extrusion:
• when dry: polymerization occurs
• when wet: depolymerization occurs
• reactivity depends on:
• moisture content
• residence time
• temperature
• end groups
14. Page 14
Miscelleneous
Blown film:
• BUR 1:1 – 1:3
• lay flat when film is stil warm to prevent wrinkles
General:
• die gap 1 – 1.2 mm
Cast film:
Chill roll temperature:
• 20 – 40 C for optimum thermoforming behavior
• 80 – 130 C for optimum dimensional stability
• chill roll as close to the die to avoid neck-in
15. Page 15
Film post treatment
• Corona treatment
• Plasma treatment
• Flame surface treatment
• Purpose of these treatments:
• increase surface energy so that inks “wet-out”
• improve adhesion during lamination
However, polyamide has intrinsically
good printing and lamination performance
and thus no real need for Corona treatment
untreated film
treated film
16. Page 16
Polyamide film properties
• films are (near to) isotropic
• films are transparent
• high puncture resistance
17. Page 17
Influence of moisture on film properties
• when dry:
• very high oxygen barrier
• high modulus
• when conditioned
• high oxygen barrier
• increased flexibility
• postcrystallization possible
• dimensional fluctuations
18. Page 18
Coextrusion
• polyamide mostly used in multilayer structures
• polyamide function:
• mechanical protection
• barrier properties
• tie resin required for adhesion to nonpolar polymers
like PE and PP
• coectruded polymers should rheologically match
19. Page 19
Applications
Food packaging
• cheese
• meat
• fish
Non food
• agricultural films
• medical films
• release films for smc
20. Page 20
Contact
Ted Brink
Email: ted.brink@extrusionist.com
Internet: www.extrusionist.com
Tel.: +31 651109899
More information