AN IMPROVEMENT OF INTERFACIAL ADHESION BETWEEN AL FOIL AND LOW DENSITY PE THROUGH BLENDING WITH FUNCTIONLIZED POLYMERS

Abstract

An enhancement of interfacial adhesion between low density PE (LDPE), particularly QAPCO LDPE packing grade and aluminum foil is an important challenge in designing of multilayered packaging (TetraPak type of packaging) due to insufficient inherent adhesion between both untreated components. Bad adhesion between them results in undesirable leaching of liquids from packaging and the penetration of oxygen into them what causes deterioration of packed liquids. The target of the thesis is a development of new modification protocols for modification of LDPE through blending with various grades of functionalized polymers. PE is the most common plastic that has been used in industry for many applications, which means that is the most available plastic. PE has limitation; one of this limitation is hydrophobic character that makes achieving necessary adhesion more difficult. The interfacial adhesion can be improved using many methods but adding additives to selected LDPE provided by QAPCO) is main focus in this thesis as a simple and effective modification process.