November 12 2014
“Machine Direction Orientation and its Effects on Multilayer Sealant Film” Presentation Highlight Findings from a Study Conducted with Dow Chemical
Parkinson Technologies, Inc. Director of Business Development, Ken Forziati, delivered a presentation titled “Machine Direction Orientation and its Effects on Multilayer Sealant Film” at the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) Flexible Packaging Conference 2014 (FlexPackCon), which took place in conjunction with the AIMCAL Web Coating and Handling Conference on October 19-22 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. This presentation was previously given by Mr. Forziati and one of his co-authors at SPE’s ANTEC® conference in Las Vegas in April. It highlights results from an ANTEC paper co-written by Parkinson Technologies and The Dow Chemical Company, which investigates the effects of machine direction orientation (MDO) on the performance of multilayer polyethylene sealant films.
“Results of lab trials conducted in our technology labs are typically proprietary to our customers, making it very difficult to share with a wider audience,” says Mr. Forziati. “However, from time to time we have the opportunity to partner with material suppliers to conduct independent investigations which yield results that can be shared without compromising customer confidentiality. Combining Dow’s materials expertise and Parkinson’s machine and processing knowledge, this study led to some interesting findings with respect to sealant film on MDO systems. It’s exciting to be able to disclose the details of these findings to our industry.”
The MDO study focused on how physical, sealant, and barrier properties of films with varying core densities would be modified after being MD-stretched over a full range of possible draw ratios. Three-layer, linear, low-density polyethylene films were fabricated on a commercial-scale blown film line at Dow’s PackStudios Innovation Center in Freeport, Texas and were subsequently stretched by the machine direction orientation unit at Parkinson’s BIAX technology lab in Woonsocket. Significant favorable effects were seen in the areas of modulus, dart impact, haze, tear, heat seal, and barrier properties.
According to Parkinson Technologies President and CEO, Peter Termyn: “Our Marshall and Williams brand designed and built the first MDO device in 1961. In the years since then, through our onsite testing facilities and collaborations with leading organizations like Dow, Parkinson has gained valuable insights into the capabilities and implications of this technology. We’re proud to take an active role in driving innovation by sharing these insights with the industry as often as we can.”
