Multiplying Key Coex Layers Improves Properties

Published: August 11, 2009

CHIPPEWA FALLS, WI | Extrusion Dies Industries (EDI) offers innovative flat extrusion die systems to allow multiplying key functional layers in cast film and sheet to improve properties without increasing either overall thickness or raw materials content. Microlayer technology is said to allow extrusion processors and converters to achieve increases in impact strength, elongation oxygen and moisture barrier, and other properties. Potential applications range from industrial wraps to flexible and rigid barrier packaging. A layer multiplier flat die system is responsible for transforming a typical sandwich structure from a standard coextrusion feedblock into a structure in which one or more of the layers has been subdivided into multiple microlayers.

Proliferation of layers, says VP of technology Gary D. Oliver, creates synergistic effects that reduce oxygen ingress from 3—5x in comparison with a conventional barrier coextrusion, without adding “adding even a tiny increment in the amount of barrier resin used for a give volume of product.”